Let down on a Private Rent

[Davegrohlsnewwife]

I'm really just venting.
I am relocating a good 6 hour drive from where I currently live. I am moving through a work transfer, just me and 2 teenage kids. Work have relocated me, college and schools set up for kids. I thought I'd found the perfect place to rent, but today I was told the house is now not available until end of January. I've already ended my current tenancy for 30th December. Due to start new job early Jan. School set up, college place confirmed. I had my leaving party today at work, which was really emotional.

I kept new LL up to date with everything I was doing, and checked if dates etc were OK- to which I received a "thumbs up".

Today got home and found a message to say that the house is now not available until end of January, which won't work.

I have been foolish. It's private rent, and despite me viewing the property and meeting the LL in person, we shook hands and agreed everything over text, but nothing formally in

So basically, I am up the creek without a paddle. I stupidly believed that everything would work out okay with this - they agreed to everything up until today. It is nearly impossible to get rented property in this specific area, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to rent this house. I had put a message on the local FB page and they reached out to me. I've been to view and met them. But now, 2 1/2 weeks before I'm due to move, it's all gone wrong. I don't know what to do. Everything is thrown up in the air - you don't need to tell me how dumb I've been, I know that now. I was already overwhelmed with the move itself - I fear this is going to oush me over the edge.

Can you get an air b&b or similar to tide you over until the rental is available?

This is a hiccup, no more, don't panic.

Look at air bnbs cor one month, and get a written contract for the rented house now

I have thought of this, but most places are really expensive and will eat into my budget massively. Plus I will have to consider storing all my furniture for a month as an added expense and this time of year is already a bit of a struggle.

My budget was already pretty tight to begin with - I don't think I can stretch to Airbnb and furniture storage. And then the cost of moving twice . . . I am, to be blunt - a tad buggered!

Rentals are quite hard to come by at the moment. I magine the issue has come from the current tenants having their onward accomodation fall through.

I agree with others. Storage isn't crazy expensive especially if it just a short while. Air BnB or stay with friends / family nearby until it's ready for you to move in. It's about the only option aside from hope to find somewhere else at extremely short notice.

I hope it isn't a scam, there have been a few of those where I live, also through FB, where the "LL" was actually nothing to do with the house. I hope you haven't parted with much money up front, just in case 😕

I think you need to not let this property go if rentals are so hard to come by and everything is sorted. I'd try and keep this landlord on side (even though they have messed you around) as back up in case you can't find anything else to rent long term

Its only 4 weeks. I know thats a nightmare but everything else is sorted, you have to do the move so I'd be looking at what I could afford storage wise and finding the cheapest accommodation for the 4 weeks. Even if that means small storage and selling some furniture unfortunately

Could you even delay the start of the job by another 4 weeks and stay with family, even if not in that (or your current) area?

Take today to brain storm all options, even if they seem a bit ridiculous at first and see which is most workable finance wise and new job wise

You should be able to get an Airbnb type place fairly cheaply at this time of year as they often look to fill them for longer. But ask on Facebook then owners will contact you directly and it will be cheaper

Have they said why it isn't available? Sounds a bit scammy possibly! Speak to your employer/relocator and ask if they can help out-is that a possibility?

Which area are you relocating to? Are there any caravan sites? At this time of year you might be able to rent a caravan relatively cheaply.

It's always best to go through proper channels. I had to rent a D air BnB for a few months between rentals. It's expensive, but what's the alternative? You should get a deal on a monthly rental, mine didn't work out much more than the rent would have been.

Most likely the current tennant hasn't moved out on time. If that happens there is nothing a landlord can do. If they don't go voluntarily it will take several months to evict them.

Sounds so stressful.

Can you ask work to put you in touch with agencies in new location or ask on their intranet for ideas? Might they support you while you wait, assuming this one is legit.

I think this is actually quite manageable, albeit annoying.

You can book a moving company that can store your furniture en route - this shouldn’t cost much more than just moving it.

Then find an Airbnb for a few weeks. As others have said - it’s January, so you can probably get a good deal, as holiday keys aren’t going to be popular at this time of year.

Appreciate moving across the country + Christmas etc means probably feeling overloaded, but objectively it can be managed. May cost a few quod though yes. Might be worth talking to your employer about the latter point, they might help.

The LL of the property was renting this house and buying another house. They said there is a problem with the "lender" and that completion date has been moved to end of Jan. They have mentioned potentially staying with family themselves, but knowing that I am basically homeless by the end of the month, I would have hoped they just do that anyway? Is that unreasonable? They don't have children themselves - so seems more straightforward for them to do this. I just feel like I've been punched in the gut, haven't slept all night worrying and trying to find solutions.
Personally I don't have anyone I could stay with, no family or friends with room for us all. Just feeling totally hopeless like I've been winded.

Do you think I should ask them if they would stay with family?

You have nothing to lose by doing so.

This is bad news op. You can’t move a completion date, it means they haven’t exchanged and the sale might even fall through.
I would tell the LL that you have a verbal contract to move in early Jan and they need to make the house available as agreed. If they refuse you could be waiting forever.

I’d be concerned about pushing the end of December move date as the landlord can just say he won’t let the property to you at all - and if it’s as good a find as you make out then they won’t have trouble finding someone else to take it.

I think either asking your current landlord if you can stay, or AirBnB / static caravan for a few weeks is your best bet. The world won’t end if the kids have to miss a few weeks of school to accommodate this.

Would work help with any of the costs? Remember you should have a months worth of rent extra to spare as you won’t be paying rent in January.

I think I'm screwed.

Tell work. Explain to HR what has happened and ask their advice as locals. They may even have employees with an annexe or empty nesters with a couple of rooms to rent out to you as lodgers until you find a good place. You could also contact the school and college and let them know, and ask if they have any local knowledge that could help.

I wouldn't trust that house to be ready by end of Jan either. Annoying, but I'd start from scratch.

You could also contact an airbnb place and ask for a big discount on a longer term rent. It is very low season.

If there are any holiday home parks nearby - chalets or large static vans, you could move in temporarily to one - again it's low season, so you should be guaranteed a place for a few months at a fairly low cost.

Remember this is temporary. It's stressful, but it is a hiccup. Good luck with your new job.