To ask how to word this or if I should even ask the question of my landlord

[PhasersSetToMalky]

Morning everyone,

So I've recently gone from being employed full-time to living off UC due to being diagnosed with, and having emergency surgery for, a brain tumour. Other benefits are taking shockingly long to be processed, so I'm not in a great position.

I'm a private tenant. My landlady is lovely, I'm just looking for a way to ask her how long she is happy to let me stay here, given that everything else has fallen apart. I just need a bit of reassurance that she's no plans to sell in the foreseeable.

I'm a good tenant, always pay rent on time etc. I guess I'm wondering if this is a reasonable thing to ask?

Please be kind, I'm overthinking everything just now and can't stop worrying.

im so sorry you're having such a rough time.

unfortunately I'm not sure there's any point asking. She may not know what the future holds herself or lie to keep you there. She could have her circumstances change unexpectedly and face to change plans.

I think you just keep going and hope things get easier now you've had your surgery...... I really hope they do.

Really sorry to hear about your situation. I don’t have recent experience of private renting but my instinct would be that it’s better not to say anything unless you have to for some reason.

Are you able to cover the rent with the UC? I wouldn’t tell a LL about moving solely to UC.

As PP said, she can’t really commit, even if she says she has no intention of selling, she could change her mind the next day.

Agree with the other posts so far Op. It sounds as though you are going through an absolutely horrendous time. I can see why you would like some extra reassurance that one part of your life is safe from any unwanted changes, but don't think that asking your LL is the right way forwards.

Has she ever indicated she’s likely to sell in the near future? If there’s no reason to think she would, I probably wouldn’t raise it.

I don’t think it hurts to ask the question . As pp have said though she may not know herself . I’m a LL and have been thinking about quitting because the government are making it harder and harder and it’s not financially worth it never mind the time needed to do everything a good LL needs to do . Ask the question , it’s not unreasonable to know if she has plans to sell or move family in .

Sorry to hear about your situation.
I’m not sure whether you have a responsibility to disclose your change in financial circumstances. I believe for a landlord with a mortgage there may be certain conditions - eg she may need to inform her mortgage provider - in which case it’s only right to inform her about that.

I agree with others though that you can’t really ask her about future plans because she can’t know what’s round the corner.

Good morning, Im sorry you’re having worrying health issues and hope you make a good recovery.

If you have regular catch ups/inspections with her maybe you can drop your diagnosis and concerns into conversation with her? If you haven’t seen her recently, drop her a text and ask her over for a coffee. It might be a good idea to express your concerns?

However she can give you all the reassurance you need but in the long run it might only be words.

Her circumstances might change driving her to evict and sell. In the meantime check out your tenancy rights. Get wise to what could happen in worst case scenario. Think of contingency plan etc. Take a look at the Shelter website and Gov.uk.

Being a LL is precarious and legislation heavy now. Lots of us have sold up however “good” our tenants are.

I hope you get on OK.

Thank you everyone.

Sorry, I should have been clearer, she knows about my health and that I'm on UC. She said it's not a problem as I'm a great tenant.

She's arranging some repairs and a new appliance for me soon.

I've no indication that she's looking to sell, I think I'm overthinking because I feel very traumatised and overwhelmed currently.

Feel like the general consensus is not to ask!

I'm really sorry you've had all these problems, OP.

However, speaking as a landlord, with a long term tenant, as far as I'm concerned, she can stay there as long as she wants - but obviously I don't necessarily have control over things that would happen in my own life (such as my own illness, a divorce, an adult child needing to move in, or an unexpectedly large rise in interest rates, because I rent the property at a loss) that would mean I need the property back.

So unless your landlady has a crystal ball, she won't be able to either.

It's a good idea to get clued up on your rights via the Shelter website though.

YANBU to ask, but speaking as someone who became a landlord only due to being unable to sell their former home I would agree with PP that your landlord could also have a change in her own circumstances. This has actually happened to me as DH has been diagnosed with a very serious illness and I won’t be renewing my current tenants’ lease when it ends later this year.

I don’t think anyone is in a place to fully provide that reassurance but I do think if you want to raise the question, given that she knows your background, it might give you a level of reassurance that helps you enough.

It sounds like you have a great relationship with her, and she already knows and has said it's fine; it looks like you might be overthinking! I think she might be a bit put out if you then ask for extra assurance 'in writing' as it might look. Try not to worry and remember she can't just turf you out (although it does sound like she wouldn't).

I'm sorry for all you're going through and totally appreciate the back of your mind thoughts re her selling up.

I had exactly the same concern despite no indications so I did message my lovely landlord.
Just said something like "I have seen a lot of media coverage in the news lately regarding landlords selling and it's made me feel a little uneasy. I appreciate things can change but just wanted to enquire where I stood as of now".

They came back saying absolutely no intention to sell anytime soon. I've relaxed a lot!

I don't speak to my landlord unless I absolutely have to. I find it's always stressful when I do, he always makes things more stressful. I try to forget he exists, if I can. The absolute last person I would speak to if I was having a bad time. Or at all, TBH.

I would say don't say anything to her, it's unlikely she'll put your mind at rest.

I hope things get better for you as soon as possible xx