Background: myself, DH and DS14 and DD12 have lived in our rented home for 12 years in a very expensive area of Surrey where I have lived my entire life. Both our families live here also, our jobs are here and the kids school and activities are all on the doorstep. A bit of a slum landlord, who hasn’t ever done an inspection, and only done temp bodge job fixes when we’ve had issues.
In return for accepting that the house is in a crap condition, we have always paid low rent (currently £1575).
Rent agreement up for renewal in Jan, so estate agent contacted last week to ask if we wanted to renew and that the landlord was happy to as long as we pay more towards market rental price and said they would accept £1875 going forward. Obviously a £300 per month jump. We said the house isn’t up to market value standard. There’s leaking windows and rotten windowsills in every room which has caused mould plus some other issues. No electrical safety certificate etc. Estate agent came to see the house on Wednesday and we told her we are happy to stay and increase the rent slightly and overlook many of the smaller issues. Explained to her the reason we don’t ask him to fix the issues is because he doesn’t want to spend money and will evict us. She said he’s happy to spend money on the property.
We have just been served a Section 21 demanding us to leave in February. Nothing on the rental market at this time of year. But also, for a standard 3 bed house in our area, the minimum is £2300. It’s so out of our price range!
DS has GCSEs next year and I already moved him to this new school due to bullying last year. Really want to avoid having to move him again, especially at such a crucial time academically (he’s doing really well!).
AIBU to ask what you would do?
YABU - move miles away, leaving jobs, family, friends, school and start a new life elsewhere.
YANBU - there has to be a solution to be able to stay in the local area
Thank you!