Only a matter of time

[lollipoprainbow]

Feel sick to my stomach, I've lived in my rented flat for 9 years and my lovely landlord advised he was selling up last October. He said not to worry as it was being marketed as a buy to let and I would very likely be able to stay on with a new landlord.

It duly went on the market in January with the estate agent confirming that it was being advertised as buy to let. We've had around 12 viewings since but no offers. This week I've been asked for three viewings, this raised my suspicions and I asked the estate agent if it was still out as a btl. Oh no he replied it's a mixture of first time buyers, investors etc, he said there had been loads of interest.

I know it's only a matter of time before I get served my section 21 and I'm terrified. There are so few rentals where I am and they get snapped up in hours. I am paying very low rent now for a two bed as my ll has never raised the rent. I know I won't find anything as perfect and I feel sick to my stomach. I couldn't sleep last night and have woken up feeling poorly and scared.

My dd is autistic so having to move out of her home will be very hard for her. I'm scared of being homeless 😢

@hannahcolobus it would have been nice if the estate agent had pre warned me it was now out to all and sundry ! He also showed two people round yesterday when I had said it wasn't convenient. Luckily I was out but the flat was a mess and I felt mortified. It was a genuine mistake but still annoying.

You can refuse viewings. It doesn't matter if it's a clause in your lease - it's the law and a lease does not override that.
I know someone will come on and say you can't be forced to move, they will have to evict you which could take up to a year etc, but they will eventually be successful, it will cause you a lot of stress, you will not get a good reference (and letting agents all know each other).
You have been fortunate to have had a long stay and very fortunate to not have ever had a rent increase. But you don't own your home and this is always a risk.
I'd be contacting the council about housing and get your skates on about other rentals.

@mondaytosunday yes I have been incredibly lucky I know that. I've applied for housing but it's a 5-7 year wait and that's if I'm even allowed to go on the register. As for getting my skates on to rent somewhere else, as I said there aren't any other rentals they go within hours. It's incredibly hard.

I've been where you are and it's a horrible feeling, although you've been luckier than most renters to have had almost a year already to look for another place. Your LL tried to sell as a BTL for 9 months, so I think it's fair enough he now tries to sell normally. Rentals might go in hours, so you need to hound the letting agents, explain your circumstances with your daughter and be the first person they think of when a property becomes available, you've had a year to do this already so presuming they know you well by now! Good luck

Ask the agent and your landlord to help you to look for and secure a suitable property e.g. if the agents also do lettings to recommend you for properties before they go to market.

This is in both their interests. They won't be able to sell (to a non landlord buyer) who requires a mortgage without vacant possession and they won't get vacant possession if you have no where to go (at least not for a long time by which time their buyer might be long gone and houseprices may have fallen.

The landlord wants his sale money and the agent wants his comission so tell them to help you and that you absolutely will not be leaving without somewhere to go.

Speak to the council/housing associations and Shelter about your situation to see what financial help might be available to you if your rent is more expensive.

Good luck, stand your ground.

This is really good advice. Good luck OP!!

You say you are not on the housing list because it takes 5 - 7 years .
I would think having a disabled daughter , who as you also say has anxieties would help you with a few extra points as she obviously needs the stability of her own home / environment . How old is she ? I would also say that if you had applied sooner , you would be further up the list so that was a tad counterproductive . I would contact them asap.