Strange situation with Landlord. Advice please

[BrevilleTron]

I've had the same landlord for about 7 years (never met him but spoken on the phone)
I live in a block of 8 flats and the landlord owns about 6 such blocks all on the same road.

We pay the rent by bank transfer into his account but haven't had a new valid tenancy agreement for at least a year ( despite asking repeatedly)

I've now heard from a neighbour that the landlord has sold all the blocks and we are concerned as to what happens now.
I know my deposit is no longer protected as I received a letter from a company telling me it had been withdrawn from their deposit keeping scheme.

Landlord never answers the phone - you always have to leave a message and he never calls back.
Could someone please tell me what my rights are if I've been 'sold' as a sitting tenant with no tenancy agreement?
Could the new owner evict me? Could they put the rent up?

Any advice would be greatly welcomed

A worried Sandwich Toaster.

Bump

Try the property threads: busier and more relevant.

Thanks Pirate would MNHQ be able to move it if I asked them v nicely?

Hi Breville, I'd suggest giving Shelter's helpline a ring. They can help you find out your legal position.

Thanks Balls I'll do that.

Sorry you are in this situation. I suggest you contact Shelter. They have an advice line.

Oops, balls got in before me.

If the deposit has been removed he is in trouble. It is illegal not to have it protected. As others have said Shelter will give you advice and the deposit protection website should have info to I would think.

it is illegal not to protect your deposit. You can sue him for 3 times its value.

with no written tenancy, you are on a 'rolling' tenancy which means your notice to him is one month, his to you is 2 months. Both to expire on the date the rent is normally paid.

yes, a new owner could issue notice, as could your current landlord. Both can put the rent up - obviously you don't have to agree but you would then almost certainly get your notice.

Thank you for the info I'm very grateful

It shouldn't be possible for one party to unilaterally withdraw the deposit from a protected scheme. The reason those schemes were brought in was to avoid precisely this kind of situation. I think you need to get some proper advice, and pronto.