Cancelling contract before move in date, lodger taking me to court

[jpkeates]

Sorry, what I mean is that my contract does not obligate me to check, but it does mention that it is the law to carry out this check.

It doesn't do that.
The clause makes getting the check done mandatory.
It doesn't state the law - carrying out right to rent checks is not a requirement under the legislation.

[JK0]

I'd let her go ahead and sue if she thinks she has a leg to stand on. Come back & ask for further advice if she does.

[gnvqsos]

I would allow her to move in,Without Cat,and serve notice at the earliest opportunity ,Also get a fierce dog.

[OhDearyMe]

Have some empathy.
Picture yourself moving in a week or so, already packed your bags, paid your deposit, paid for a rental van and possibly movers, already got your mates lined up to help you on the day- just for your world to be turned upside down in an instant. Sure, you get the deposit back, but the stress of being homeless in a week, losing dosh on the movers, scrapping plans with a few mates etc. What would you be doing in her position?

Obviously the gal was a bit too passionate sharing her reasons why she wants a kitten; hence why she wasn't backing down immediately when told no pets- over text no less, so it's already very informal. You could have stepped up to the plate and sent a very formal email dressing down the situation and saying it's a hard-no on the pet front, if she got 1 you'd be following the letter of the law to have her removed for breaking contract. You had the guts to tear up a contract, but not cahooners to say no to a pet equally formally.

[gnvqsos]

simple solution-lodger moves in, cat made homeless or rehoused in moggy charity.. Fancy living with a lodger prepared to go to law-not very pleasant.. Demonstrates how, for some, pets have an exaggerated importance.

[TimberCladding]

"without prejudice" letter offering half the amount ?

[jpkeates]

Some of these reasonable suggestions seem to ignore the evidence that the proposed tenant is not in their right mind.

[bobthebuilder2]

dont offer any amount. let her take you to court.

[Zyphi]

Answer

While this wasn't made evident in my initial post, as I was simply looking for advice in regards to legality. Her home situation is stable for the month of July (as in, she had already paid up for her previous lease up until the end of July), so she would not be made homeless by my breach. I would of course not want to make anyone homeless.

Also, the room is fully furnished, so while possible, I doubt movers are a requirement for luggages/clothes.