Moving on Tues, Housing benefit application accepted, landlady just cancelled tenancy. What do I do, pls?

[firstchoice]

I have been arranging the rental of a flat (previously used for holiday lettings).
I originally informed the landlady I would be on benefits but should be able to arrange a guarantor.
It has dragged on a bit. Landlady abroad all summer.
It then became clear I was going to struggle to get a guarantor.
Landlady not thrilled (understandably) but said to 'press on' anyway.

She sent me a signed witnessed Short Assured Contract for me to sign last week.
I did so and went to Council, gave them copy, and all paperwork for Housing Benefit and HB granted and due to start on Tues (Moving Day). Also did a 'change of circs' re my benefits (separating from H). Kids due to change school on Weds too. Moving Scotland to England. So a lot of upheaval. Separation, over Border, New schools, new home - the lot!

Yesterday, landlady said she didn't feel secure enough without guarantor and wishes to terminate our agreement. I have offered to try to arrange a family member to provide a guarantor letter / credit checks before Tues but she says, no, time was of essence, and it's too late.

What do I do please?
Am devastated.
Also, how do I stop the HB and the Benefits changes????
Will I be in trouble if they start paying me and I've not been able to move in?

Ignore her, shes probably about to move in new tenants, that she has charged a higher rent to.

Look after number one OP, because she is!

Hope everything works out for you.

Please stand up for yourself, for your children's sake.

She is not superior to you just because she got lucky and has got a bit of money.

another day, another email from "LL"...

I have now sent her a list of my costs -
(which was suggested upthread by a number of posters)
but I wasn't sure how to quantify them?
I have put my time in at NMW and my petrol etc....

Which are clearly more than she is asking for.
Hope that settles it!

oh blimey, is this still going on?

I think you sent the 'matter closed' email. So ignore her.

wishing you the best of luck in finding a new home.

HA! Email by return!!!

"I do believe this whole thing has gone belly up for a reason, I so believe in following ones gut feelings. Reading between the lines of most of your correspondence money seems to have bee an issue.for you. I am only sorry that I did not pick up on that earlier.

Although I have turned away thousands of pounds worth of potential bookings I truly believe I have made the correct choice.

I wish you well in the future"

Cheeky Mare!

xposts specialsubject - finished now.

I am the poor person she is letting off the money I owe....

"thousands of pounds of potential bookings"?!!!

She really is a loon.

She breached your contract, tried to tap you for money - and she lost. So she resorts to personal insults, all dressed up in saccharine insincerity.

I know it's really inconvenienced you and the children, and cost you money, but I'd be thinking of this as a lucky escape. She's clearly deluded and would be a terrible landlady - the sort who acts like you're a guest she's doing a favour for rather than a paying customer in a business transaction.

I'd reply with "Looks like we've both had a lucky escape! Good luck with your thousands of pounds worth of holiday bookings ..."

That's just me being arsey though.

Fuck! The woman is delusional!

Dont respond Op. she will turn every reply against you to her favour. Dont give her the ammo.

Must admit, did reply with:

"As an experienced landlady, with other tenants, you must be well aware there are potential consequences to breaking a signed witnessed Tenancy contract at the last minute.
My reminding you of this seems to be the only reason you have decided not to continue to pursue me for money, which is clearly an issue for you too...."

Which was a bit nippy but I was annoyed at the Lady Bountiful tone.

I got a reply! :

"You actually asked me to consider if I still wanted you as a tenant in your e-mail and asked if I was willing to postpone the move, as you could not guarantee that YOU WERE 100% financially secure at the time..
I replied no".

FFS.

Not going to bother replying to that one, as I have covered this ground already....

"Thousands of pound of holiday bookings...."
Pfff. She had two entries in her visitors book last year....

Yes, maybe I have had an escape, after all...

Cor!
Just checked and I've had two voicemail msgs on phone this am telling me 'how disappointed' she is in me and how she suggests I look for 'something I can afford' in future.

Don't know what audience this is for?

Perhaps she is worried I will try to claim expenses after all and is covering tracks?

Pfff.

Will block number now as recommended upthread.
The voice of MN turns out to be the voice of experience (and reason) again.
(not that I was doubting it but I am still at this nasty carryon).

PLEASE send her a link to this thread. Please please please.

Purely for my vicarious pleasure, you understand.

'tis tempting.....

Fish are clearly an issue for you, firstchoice.

pausing are you HER?????

She is fud, first, but a funny one! Time to block her now.

Yes, blocked.

I'm outed!

pausing

I shall know if you name change, you know

Its all getting very odd.

Like Elmer Fudd?

fud means lady bits.

How have I never heard that one??

It's Scottish slang I think. "What a fud" was a standard insult when I was a teen.