Complicated housing issue - any advice?

[Gracie123]

We are due to have a baby in July and are in the process of buying a house for a job relocation.

Because the house we are in is included as part of DH's salary, we don't pay any rent or bills at the moment. This means he takes a rather large salary cut, and although his new salary (from new job, due october) will be much larger, obviously the mortgage lender will not allow us to borrow until a set period before that begins (3 months = july)

Here is the pickle:

Job we are in now will not allow us to leave accommodation until 9th of July (fine), baby due on 14th (hopefully). Technically DH doesn't finish working for current job until the 31st of August, so will still be on current salary (fine). Current job are now saying they may need us out of the house at the beginning of july because they need to clean it/paint it etc... for new employees coming in.

Hopefully our new house will be available then, but it may not be. These things never run smoothly when you need them to!

I'm massively concerned that the property may fall through etc... and we will be homeless with a toddler and a new born. DH current salary will not allow us to rent anything, but surely as the house is included as part of his salary they can't kick us out without sorting alternative accommodation until the end of his contract (Aug 31st)?

Because we don't pay any rent etc... I don't think we legally count as tenants, and the housing contract we have with the employer states that they are only required to give us 6 weeks notice to vacate the property (usually they are moving you to a different one, not sure how this works when a contract is finished).

Does anyone know where we stand on this?

I think I'd arrange to stay with friends or family if need be.

I really don't think I'd challenge the former employer over this and leave on a bad note when your DH might need a referee in the future.

I know, I don't really want to confront them either. The problem is that we are relocating to a job 4 hours drive away (we don't know anyone there yet!), and the new company are paying for a removal team, but obviously not storage/second move.

Family live 4.5 hour drive away too, but we may just have to suck it up.

By the way, I'm not being tight, DH earns approx. £700 a month at the mo, and I'm not working, so there is absolutely no way we could afford to just stay in a hotel or rent somewhere for a while (new job in London, so rent is V.expensive!).

I was really just wandering if we had the right to refuse to move until our house is ready (which may only be a few days/week after they want us out) based on the fact that the contract doesn't finish for another 2 months?

The housing can't end before the job does, unless you agree. Normally it is a term of the employment contract that your husband has that house to live in (or an equivalent, if they are allowed to move you).
In your shoes I would calmly say to the employer that if you can find bridging accommodation in a serviced apartment on a weekly let and the employer pays for it, then you will go at the start of July. And not otherwise.

But check your terms and conditions very carefully!

I agree with the above. I doubt they can end your occupation prior to the end of your husband's work contract with them. You probably are tenants but service tenants with no security of tenure once employment comes to an end. The good thing is if they tried to give you notice you cannot be made to leave without a court order and bailiffs appointment (which will take at least a month if not more to go through the courts), and I doubt they would apply for one or indeed get one before the end of your husband's employment with them.
So...try not to worry. Good luck with baby though