To feel increasingly pissed off about our living situation?

[Tiredboymum22]

We rent a lovely property (below market price) off a family member’s ex partner (they were still together when we signed the contract.) It’s spacious, close to town, has a relatively big garden and I can say objectively that we couldn’t afford it if we were paying market price. The most we could afford (privately) is a 2-bed flat (2 DS).

We’ve been here just under two years and we were told it would be a long-term tenancy. After a year of renting, another family told us they were thinking of selling the property so they could buy something bigger but I didn’t hear it from them. I was worried but accepted it (as it isn’t our house) and made sure our names were still on the social housing register. We were told our situation wouldn’t change and that our tenancy was secure. A few months later we received a text out of the blue giving us two months notice threatening court if we didn’t leave by the date set. I have an autistic son so I let him know straight away to give him enough time to adjust to the change. I contacted the council and they asked for our Landlord’s registration number. He admitted to us that he wasn’t registered or insured as a Landlord (as we’re family) but he would get registered with an agency and then “officially” evict us so we can ask the council for help (we have an IVA for six years so privately renting isn’t an option).

As far as I know, he still isn’t registered and now him and said family member are rumoured to be getting back together. I’ve been waiting for weeks for someone to look at a bow in our kitchen ceiling as it was flooded last month. A plumber fixed the pipes which caused the leak but there’s a still a massive bow in the ceiling and there was a light drip the other night (only lasted ten seconds).

From what I’ve gathered, he’s changed his mind. I’ve now told my son we might not be moving but he wants certainty which is understandable.

I was having a moan to DM and she thinks I’m being a bit unreasonable as the house is still above our financial means, but I would honestly rather live in a more rundown 2-bed with so-called “rough” neighbours than deal with this bullshit every few months.

AIBU to ASK our Landlord for a letter of eviction and risk temp accommodation? Or do I just wait it out?

Tbh even if he got registered and served you with eviction notice today as you need him to take you to court and get the bailiffs to make you homeless it’s going to be 10 months or even a year +

I would still keep bidding on council properties that you really want

Is there an option to move elsewhere to more addorable locations. I say that as we had to do that. We live in North Wales and our rent is £480 a month for a nice 2 bed, mod terrace with a small garden, large garage and in a nice area. We now have freedom and ability to save and maybe one day buy our own home.

Just a side, I think the IVA ends after 6 years. You should now be able to start building up your credit rating.

Good luck with everything.

You lost me at ‘rough’ neighbours because they’re in a cheaper part of town.

You’re the ones with the 6 year IVA. Snobbery is awful, but hypocritical snobbery is worse.

Even if you move somewhere else to rent there is still uncertainty. Thats the nature of renting. All landlords can always choose to sell, and go through the eviction process. Many landlords recently sold due to the new renters rights act. check out your rights on the Shelter website or other similar sites. In all honesty I think you are more secure staying where you are - he cannot evict you if he hasnt registered as a landlord regardless of what he says. So just sit tight and get yourself familiar with your rights. TBH he may be not in line with the new renters rights act in terms of what it says about landlords, so this may be unsettling him. Plus landlords under the new act have a responsibility for improvements of the property for x y z - but these are only enforced if the tennant vacates and its advertised for another tenant. So i wonder if the 'he is going to sell' then 'no he isnt' is in response to the new laws - firstly what he thought they may be about then finding out it will be worst if you vacate.

All you need to do is find out more about the new law, your rights, his duties then you will feel a bit more empowered and less anxious.

If he is saying you can stay for another 6 months, he needs to use this time to register properly as a landlord. I’m guessing he isn’t set up properly at all? Has he been doing gas/fire checks? Is he paying tax on the rent income? It all sounds pretty dodgy.

Keep bidding on council and social housing. They will give you better security.

Objectively you are in the same position as every other renter in the country, except you’re paying less rent. Anyone in private rented accommodation anywhere can be given notice by their LL at any time. They have to comply with the law, of course, but the only difference is that you are connected to your LL through family so you get snippets of information about their intentions.

If I were you I would just put all thoughts of moving out of my head. Stop looking at houses coming up on the list. Stop thinking about what could have been. If you can, save as much money as you can while you are living somewhere with relatively low rent.

You’re right that you don’t have to feel “grateful”. You were offered a house at a particular price and you took it.

Has he done everything by the book? ie deposit in a scheme, gas certificates, electrical safety? Is he following the correct legal eviction process?

Get proper legal advice. Shelter is a good place to start

I think you need to contact somewhere like Shelter/Citizens advice to get sound advice as to where you stand legally.
He isn't registered as a Landlord and the law has changed about evictions.

Why don’t you ask him if he’s protected your deposit and served you with all the prescribed information within 30 days of receipt of the deposit. I bet he hasn’t and that means you can make a s214 claim against him for up to 3 times the deposit.

Which is why nobody wants to be a landlord anymore and there's a housing crisis. The OP's biggest issue is getting somewhere else to live. Private rentals are out because of their finances and the eviction. And good luck with the council . .

May I ask, please? @Tiredboymum22 What landlord registration? Is that for social housing?

I’m referring to the stigma around council houses. More specifically, comments made by family members. Sorry if it came across the wrong way, I should have worded it better.