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Legal matters

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Rented housing help!

6 replies

Nighttimeistherightime · 15/05/2026 19:59

My daughter is renting a shared house the contract is up in July
She and the people living with her have had to call in environmental health for rats, dangerous wiring (oven and other kitchen appliances) plugged into an extension cable on the worktop), no fire doors, leaking shower, holes in the floor, faulty heating and extensive black mould.
Their landlord asked them to negotiate a move into their new property at the start of June as he had tenants wanting to move in
They asked their new landlord and were told they could move in a month early
Now their current landlord has told them his new tenants do not want to move in June so the contract still stands
My daughter cannot afford to pay rent to him for June and also pay the new places rent. If she does not pay the rent he could keep the deposit. Very unfair as the house was absolutely filthy when they moved in and she cleaned it all.

What can they legally do? They are now due to move into the new place early but he’s insisting that they have to pay him for June
They have it in writing that he asked them to vacate early.
I’m going to contact Shelter but wondered if there were any legal Mumsnetters around!
TIA

OP posts:
professionalcommentreader · 16/05/2026 08:25

Does he have their deposit in the deposit scheme? Did he provide I think it’s called right to rent leaflet, gas and electric certificate? If not and the deposits are in the scheme and you have everything in writing, complaints, request to vacate etc. I’d take the risk and raise a case with the deposit scheme and leave.

Waitingforsummer75 · 16/05/2026 08:54

Has he provided them with the Renters Rights Act information? All tenancies have changed from may 1st.

Friendlygingercat · 16/05/2026 09:59

When the tenants applied to the environmental health and the LA did the council issue an improvement notice and did the LL comply? If the LL failed to comply the tenants can apply for a rent repayment order but it has to be done quickly (Google it).

The protection schemes tend to favour the tenant unless the LL can prove their claims. If you have the agreement in writing of LL you have them over a barrell.

Nighttimeistherightime · 16/05/2026 18:15

Friendlygingercat · 16/05/2026 09:59

When the tenants applied to the environmental health and the LA did the council issue an improvement notice and did the LL comply? If the LL failed to comply the tenants can apply for a rent repayment order but it has to be done quickly (Google it).

The protection schemes tend to favour the tenant unless the LL can prove their claims. If you have the agreement in writing of LL you have them over a barrell.

He did comply in part but there are still outstanding issues.

OP posts:
Nighttimeistherightime · 16/05/2026 18:16

professionalcommentreader · 16/05/2026 08:25

Does he have their deposit in the deposit scheme? Did he provide I think it’s called right to rent leaflet, gas and electric certificate? If not and the deposits are in the scheme and you have everything in writing, complaints, request to vacate etc. I’d take the risk and raise a case with the deposit scheme and leave.

He does have their deposit in the scheme. I’m not sure about the certificates, I’ll ask. Thank you

OP posts:
Kimura · 18/05/2026 06:29

The landlord can't simply deduct alleged arrears from DD's deposit without her agreement or a formal process. She should...

Inform the landlord in writing that she does not agree with their reason for withholding the amount from her deposit. Send via registered post + email so she has proof of delivery.

Gather evidence (rent payments, written evidence of the request/agreement to vacate early). Stick to the relevant facts: DD cleaning the place isn't relevant to this particular issue.

If she can't come to a resolution with the LL, she must contact her deposit scheme's dispute resolution service ASAP. They will consider evidence from both sides and decide how much of the deposit should be returned.

If the LL refuses to engage, the only other option is court.

If the request/agreement to vacate a month early is unambiguous, I'd say she has a strong case.

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