AIBU to end a tenancy so my niece can live there?

[SunnyDaysAndCoolNights]

We have a house that we rent out to a family with 2 children who have been in the house for about 7 years. The house is in the same city that our niece is at university in.

Just after Xmas, my niece asked us if she could live in the house for her second and third year at uni, (possibly longer) as the houses she had looked at weren’t very nice and she can’t stay in halls.

After speaking to my husband, we decided to say yes and we gave our tenants a section 21 notice in February. Our tenants were/are not happy and have been advised to stay in the house by the council. We thought that may happen which is why we served the notice in February despite my niece not needing the house until September. We were also aware of the new rules coming in soon which would make it harder to end a tenancy.

Since finding out that we have ended the tenancy for our current tenants, my brother and his wife (not nieces parents) have told us that we are ‘typical arsehole landlords’ for ‘kicking out a family’. They think our niece, also their niece is selfish for asking, that she could have found somewhere herself and that we should have put our tenants first as they have been our tenants for quite a long time and they have children. My brother and his wife rent with their children, so obviously that may play a part in their feelings on this. I feel upset they would say these things as I think it’s normal to put your own family first. My other brother and his wife who are parents of my niece are very annoyed at our other brother and his wife.

Would you have done the same as we have or would you have put the tenants first and said no to your niece? I do have sympathy for my tenants, they’re a nice family and have been good tenants, but obviously we love our niece and to us, she comes first.

That"s right and she is offering a better property at the same price, or another one from a friend nearby at presumably a good price, and the tenant is refusing to grab the opportunity.

So you still think you're right, even though almost 90% of nearly 3000 people disagree with you and think YABU?! (Even after your update 5 hours into the thread......)

Actual wow.

What on earth was the point in posting this thread? You have had 100s of responses, the vast majority of people think you're WRONG and that YABU, and you're still doubling down, and digging your heels in.

As I said 'actual wow!'

What situation?

THE TENANT DOES NOT WANT THIS OTHER PROPERTY!

The only one being unreasonable here is the OP, and almost everyone on this thread has said as much. The tenant should NOT have to move purely for the OP's convenience (and that of her niece!) THIS PROPERTY IS HER HOME!

Why will you not accept the OP is in the wrong? Nearly 90% of almost 3000 people say she is being unreasonable. I find your posts bizarre!

Do you know the OP. You seem very very invested in this.

The OP is obviously 100% in the right, they can give notice (under the old laws) and they have done so, the tenant has been there for 7 years. The landlord is not obliged (although they are doing so) to offer another larger property at the same rent or recommend a friend who has a property to rent to make the tenant"s life easier, what is it about this situation that people don"t get?

I thought this too.

Yeah. They've to grab the opportunity to be fucked right over again when the OP wants to let the house out to her kids or sell it in a few years. Bet they can't wait

She is in no way, shape, or form 'in the right.' It's reprehensible, what she is considering doing. Throwing a good, reliable tenant and their family out of their HOME, the home they have had for SEVEN years, so her niece can have somewhere close to her Uni to stay for 2 years. I hope the family refuse to move out.

Some people don't seem to be concerned that she hasn't told her niece that kids are being kicked out to accommodate miss "paying a peppercorn rent".

IT DOESN"T MATTER WHAT THE TENANT "WANTS"!

They entered into a rental agreement with terms for being asked to leave if necessary, they should have been saving money and keeping an eye on the local rental market to create a margin of safety for themselves. (Putting aside of course that the landlord is giving them a safety net by offering them TWO alternative properties!!!)

They've taken legal advice and they are refusing to move but the OP is sure she'll get them out by September so that miss peppercorn rent can move in.

Well done to them for getting advice and not just capitulating

This.

As I said earlier, I will be glad when the law has changed, to prevent private landlords from pulling this kind of trick. No wonder so many people want social housing, at least you get security there, and can't be thrown out of your home because the landlord's niece wants to move in. (For 2 years!)

No wonder private landlords are disliked so much by so many. I know there are a few that are decent, but not many......

In real life, everyone I know puts their family and friends before anyone else OP. This thread is mad. Who would care more for tenants than their own family? Weird, but no wonder people on mumsnet seem to have hardly any friends or family that they talk to when they would prioritise another family over their own family.

But that would apply to any property they rent, why focus only on the OP?

Yes here we go. They should have been saving money. Some people don't have money spare at the end of the month

Quite funny watching a complete stranger who called other people nutters having a meltdown on the behalf of another complete stranger

Popcorn anyone?

Shame. As a few posters have said, it wouldn't surprise me if this came back and bit the OP on the arse later on. Karma and all that. She will very likely get new tenants in this house (when the niece leaves) that will be dreadful tenants, and will trash the place, and leave owing 1000s of pounds of rent!

.

It doesn't change that she is right in many ways. Making a decision which is legal and she is the most comfortable with going further is what is right for her.

The realisation of this thread is understanding and acceptance, that many people will passionately disagree - which is partially because they believe so and partially, because it is very easy to volunteer someone else's property. Another realisation is how many people spit venom on page 38 reading only the first post - which makes their vomit heavily irrelevant.

Common reason to post is to sort one's thoughs and double check you don't miss some angle. Here the OP learned that this isn't something she would want to discuss casually in the real life. Useful realisation.

😆

She plans to sell if her family doesn't need the property. She doesn't plan to rent it out commercially again.

Another thread where the OP refused to recognise a nasty piece of work.

Ummm, because this is the OP's thread?????? 😆

so many ppl foaming at the mouth. geez