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Landlord selling my rented house to his friend and I think they're going to move refugees into it.

138 replies

Mammabear8120 · 14/04/2022 15:58

Is this legal? My landlord has suddenly decided to sell the house I've rented for 6 years to his friend. It was meant to be sold as an investment property with me as a sitting tenant. I had one couple view the property - and was told I had to be out by 20th May as he's selling it to his friend who came to view it. They've told me that the buyer is moving from down south to the north and wants to live in it himself. When he viewed it he walked through it like it was beneath him, barely looked at anything than a quick cursory glance across the rooms and didn't even go in the garden, look at the garden, didn't look or go in any of the bathrooms and just stuck his head in the 3 bedrooms. The buyer has lied to my landlord saying I'm running a business from ghe house which I've not been doing (just because I had a high chair in the kitchen which is for my granddaughter). He's booked a surveyor 2x to do a survey and the first time it was cancelled due to the surveyor having car trouble and the 2nd time the buyer cancelled it. The letting agency know nothing about what is happening and its been 2 weeks without hearing anything. I've no where to go and no money to even move. I've got on to the council but there's literally nothing to rent at all. My boss has slashed my hours at work so I'm going to be on half the hours I was on which means no private landlord will rent to me and I don't have a guarantor. I think the buyer wants me to move out so he can house refugees and have heard of people doing this recently in the UK. If I'm turfed out for refugees to then live innthe house where would I stand legally? I'm a full British citizen and have paid my full rent on time for 6 years, kept the house nice and improved on it with minor things. Can anyone advise me?

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 14/04/2022 17:09

@Mammabear8120

yes but for those of us who cannot afford to own their own house what else can we do. I fled a domestic violent relationship with my kids and had to start again from scratch with nothing. I'm so scared of losing the roof over my head. People are attacking me on here but do they even know what the housing crisis is in this country! There are no homes to rent. They're building homes as fast as they can but there's still way too many people lined up waiting for a home that they can't build them quick enough. There's nothing to rent at all where I live right now and that's no exaggeration
The housing situation is shocking and I'm sorry there are so many of you on this thread facing this situation. The government really need to come up with some solutions, especially in the current economic climate with private rents rising etc.
FredaFox · 14/04/2022 17:12

I really feel for you but British citizen or not makes no difference, your landlord owns the property and can do what he likes. He isn't choosing other homeless people over you, he is selling a property for a reason you are not privy to.

Everyone on this thread is aware of the housing crisis in this country, they are also aware of wars and innocent people needing help. I know you are hurting but please be considerate of others also in terrible situations

Speak to shelter, they can help you.

NewBootsAndRanty · 14/04/2022 17:12

Your landlord can serve a s21 for whatever reason they like; what they do with the property after that is irrelevant.

mamaoffourdc · 14/04/2022 17:13

@Mammabear8120

I'm only asking for egal reasons! Maybe I've wrote this thread out wrong- I want to know legacy as a British citizen if I can be made homeless so someone else who is homeless can be moved in. Surely this is against human rights to do this to someone especially when they have kids
But you don't know who is moving in? You have no right to know that! As long as the landlord has given the correct notice there is nothing else to it! Also Going rate for rental for refugees is only £350 per month so if he was going to do that he would be out of pocket
LIZS · 14/04/2022 17:13

@Mammabear8120

I'm only asking for egal reasons! Maybe I've wrote this thread out wrong- I want to know legacy as a British citizen if I can be made homeless so someone else who is homeless can be moved in. Surely this is against human rights to do this to someone especially when they have kids
Short answer is yes. Your ll is selling and unless it is bought with you as a sitting tenant, you will be required to leave with due formal notice, and the purchaser can do as they choose.
Mammabear8120 · 14/04/2022 17:14

I'm not on my own I am a single parent.

OP posts:
VerifiedBot2351 · 14/04/2022 17:14

The landlord is acting in a completely legal manner if he gives you the correct notice.

Costacoffeeplease · 14/04/2022 17:15

Your landlord can sell his property, what the new buyer does with it is irrelevant.

Your best bet is to contact shelter or your local council

bellac11 · 14/04/2022 17:17

@Mammabear8120

I'm just pointing out I've lived in the UK all my life and if I was in a position to home some refugees I would - free of charge, but I can't - especially now. I'm a single parent with young children and nowhere to go. I'm battling all sorts right now and it's other people who have suggested the buyer wants to rent it to refugees and its made my head spin. I'm not racist in the slightest and I'm sad it's come across that way. All I was trying to ask is if this happened to be the case what grounds would I have going forward? As I've been a great tenant, always paid on time my full rent and just feel it would be callus to take away my home to give it to someone from another country as that leave me homeless and lines the landlords pockets either way. I'm asking for help and not to be torn down. I can't take much more - my life isn't worth living right now with all I'm dealing with
So what if he does rent to refugees? What difference does it make?
Mammabear8120 · 14/04/2022 17:17

I give up. I can't face any of this anymore. I'm shot down and labelled a racist for asking for legal advice. I can't take anymore. I can't eat, sleep or even think anymore. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that's not my intent and wasn't meant to come across that way I any shape or form. I can't do this anymore

OP posts:
VerifiedBot2351 · 14/04/2022 17:19

Things are clearly hard for you right now. Many people, myself included, have pointed out that your landlord is acting within the law, provided that he gives you the correct notice. It’s an awful situation (I’ve been there myself a couple of times) and you are best contacting Shelter for advice about how to move forwards.

Mooshering · 14/04/2022 17:19

A landlord can sell a house for any reason they like.

What the new owner does with the house is nothing to do with anything.

If the landlord follows the correct eviction process then legally you will have to leave. You can either choose to leave when the eviction is complete, or wait for the bailiffs to remove you.

You have zero recourse to remain in the property once it is sold.

rosesarebluey · 14/04/2022 17:20

@Toomanyradishes

Think about if you were living in a country, with young children and one day a neighbouring country decided to invade. You flee the country with your young children, leaving behind a husband and other family not knowing if you will ever see them alive again. You dont know if you will be able to return home, if your house will still be standing.

You have to rebuild your entire life in a country where you know no one, or hardly anyone, dont necessarily understand the lenguage well and have nothing. But so e woman decides she is more worthy of somewhere to live just because she had the good fortune to be born into a country that isnt currently being invaded.

If you want compassion it goes both ways. You would have had nicer replies if you hadnt come across as rasist.

Speak to shelter.

She doesn't think she's more worthy. She's worried that her own family are now going to be made homeless so that another homeless family can be housed. If there are no affordable rental properties in her area she will have to move away from her friends and family, kids change schools etc. It is an awful situation to be in.
MsSquiz · 14/04/2022 17:20

A landlord can give a tenant notice and sell the property, regardless of who the tenant is/whether they have children.

You have no more rights to stay in a rented property because you have young children than a single man would

Hugasauras · 14/04/2022 17:21

Get yourself on to Shelter or Citizens Advice, OP. You won't be able to stay in your home forever but they can help guide you to where you and your children can go next Thanks

PeachesToday · 14/04/2022 17:25

Deep breaths. Call Shelter.

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 14/04/2022 17:26

@Mammabear8120

I give up. I can't face any of this anymore. I'm shot down and labelled a racist for asking for legal advice. I can't take anymore. I can't eat, sleep or even think anymore. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that's not my intent and wasn't meant to come across that way I any shape or form. I can't do this anymore
Please ignore the posters on here. A lot of people on MN want unlimited refugees to be able to come here (as long as they don't live next to them), without any thought for people like you.

They all live in their nice owned houses and don't care about anyone else.

SweetGrapes · 14/04/2022 17:27

@ThisUserIsNamed

You have young children- that is a good thing. They will not leave you out on the streets. You must stay put until bailiffs remove you, not when the notice expires or you are intentionally homeless. The council will, on the day, send you to emergency accommodation until you get a council flat / house.

When you are given notice, go to the council again, fill out the form and state you have been given notice and at risk of homelessness.

OP, ultimately this is all the legal advice you need. If that's what this thread is about - then you have your answer.

What the new owner does is completely irrelevant for you.

skybluee · 14/04/2022 17:28

OP I'm sorry the replies have upset you.

Fluffymule · 14/04/2022 17:30

@Mammabear8120 step away from the thread and give Shelter a call on 0808 800 4444 - the helpline is open till 8pm tonight or from 9am tomorrow.

They will talk through your situation with you, provide you with immediate advice and signpost you to the support you need over the coming weeks/months.

Good luck.

Mammabear8120 · 14/04/2022 17:30

All I wanted was some advise and help and now I feel worthless and worse than I did before. I've nothing against refugees and it breaks my heart to see what they're facing. If i could offer a room in my home to a woman with kids herself I would but I can't when I'm about to be made homeless myself. I just wanted help and advise. I'm so scared and alone. I cannot take all this anymore

OP posts:
Kinneddar · 14/04/2022 17:33

Your landlord can rent to anyone who choose. You being a British citizen is completely irrelevant. You don't know what his plans are but focusing on possible refugees moving in is doing you no favours at all

2bazookas · 14/04/2022 17:34

@Mammabear8120

I'm not on my own I am a single parent.
You said you have a grandchild. So YOUR child is either an adult or close to it, so is very unlikely to qualify you as a homeless priority in the eyes of the council.
VerifiedBot2351 · 14/04/2022 17:34

We’ve given you advice.

Mooshering · 14/04/2022 17:35

Realistically op, you will not be able to stay in the house.

You need to contact

Shelter
Citizens advice
The local housing association
The council

You will not be homeless. You may be housed in a hostel or temporary accommodation before you are housed.

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