They're evicting us

[Worriedmumma2345]

Hi all, I've NC incase I have friends on here, don't want them snooping my opinions 🤣.
We are currently going through a no fault eviction, due to house sale.
Our contract ends mid April, we have been served notice today.
There is a house nearby that we are considering but would require immediate move in as it's a fast moving rental environment.
We are good Tenants who keep house in good order, have spent a fortune on the garden and pay rent in advance. Landlady is clearing her portfolio, selling everything with no sitting tenants, I'm heartbroken but trying to think objectively. We've offered more rent but she wants us out 😭
I've applied for social housing but there's a backlog, been advised to contact housing solutions and shelter for advice.
I really don't want the chew on of having to stay and be evicted, it's embarrassing. People will think we haven't paid the rent. I hate that we have to leave our lovely street but are not in a position to buy.
I'm also a bit annoyed because houses with sitting tenants sell like hot cakes here. There is no reason to evict us. Even the agent has told them this but they're adamant.
Sorry for the rant it's a blowout of emotions
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Anyway the question is; would I be liable for rent to the end of the term? Or would we be able to just leave anytime as notice has been served?

We are in England.

The fact that they have served notice to end the contract in mid-April doesn't allow you to end it earlier. If you leave before then you must still pay the rent.

Legally, you’re liable to the end of the tenancy. Would be worth having a chat with your LL though, given she wants you out she might be thrilled to waive the notice period/release you from the tenancy to have vacant possession again and not have to worry about the cost and hassle of evicting you.

Legally you do have to pay to the end of your contract term. If you don't pay, she could take legal action against you.

However, I would have a chat with her, if she's keen to sell with no tenants and so is wanting your move as smooth sailing as possible, she may be willing to work with you and come to a deal with leaving early if you find somewhere else.

Definitely speak to your LL and tell them you’ve found somewhere but must leave immediately. I was in the same situation and my LL told me upfront if u found somewhere sooner than they needed the house that I should take it and they wouldn’t hold me to the contract. Which is what happened in the end.

Oh wow I wasn't expecting that. I thought the notice would cancel the contract. Thank you.

Incorrect.

You can give a months notice and leave.

I’ve just gone through similar, Shelter and a housing specialist solicitor at the local law centre confirmed I could give a months notice and leave, if I found somewhere before the 2 months were up.

You are not liable till the end of your term.

If the initial period of your fixed term contract has already passed and you are now on a periodic tenancy then you could give the required notice period ( normally one month) and leave with no further commitment.
If you are still within the initial fixed term then technically the tenancy can only be ended with your landlord’s agreement.
As a landlord myself I would assume that your landlord would jump at the chance for you to voluntarily end the tenancy earlier. They would be insane to try to hold you to a tenancy they wish to end for the sake of a couple of months rent.

We have been here 4 years, each contract is 6 months long. We last signed in October.

I'm concerned about being liable for council tax too. Feels unfair that we are liable when we're being evicted through no fault of our own.

@BitcherOfBlakiven

I’ve just gone through similar, Shelter and a housing specialist solicitor at the local law centre confirmed I could give a months notice and leave, if I found somewhere before the 2 months were up.

You are not liable till the end of your term.

I will speak to shelter, thank you for your experience

@Worriedmumma2345

We have been here 4 years, each contract is 6 months long. We last signed in October.

You need to check but that sounds like a fixed term tenancy (as did your OP when you referred to the contract ending in mid-April), in which case you have to pay until the end of the contract unless there is a break clause. Those saying you can give one month's notice are assuming you have a periodic tenancy.

A break clause? That lets us out? I'll pick apart the contract I think i remember reading that term

Even though you last signed in Oct check the contact as I know when I was last renting I could still give a months notice to leave even though my contract was for a longer period.

But even if its not in your contract, speak to your LL, they might well be happy to just let you go and have a vacant property to sell, much easier for them I’d have thought.