hi all. brand new on here & pretty much no experience of renting, so bear with me please? I moved out of my property in april 12' as I wanted to be nearer my daughter. things didn't work out for me & I moved back to lancs from kent. in the meantime I rented out my house to 2 'mates'. now, a few week back, I told them I wanted to move back into my house as i'm struggling a bit financially. I made no money whatsoever from this & it was never my intention to. they moved out this weekend-22/23 june. I got a txt off him on the thurs-20th, to say they were moving and they'd sort keys out etc. she then txts me Friday morning to say basically they'd move in there own time & that they were paid up with me til 30th june.ok I get that, but I informed my landlord of my plans after the Thursday txt. now i'm in limbo cos I know they moved out but fear thwy'll keep the keys til sunday. i'm looking at moving in on the 29th & have made plans etc upon what I was told. what can I do in this situation? I understand they are paid up til 30th but they are just messing me around. any advice is kindly appreciated,roy.
help please!!
Collapse
X
-
From the limited information you've provided, it sounds to me that your 'mates' have a bona fide tenancy (regardless of whether there's anything in writing), and that if they decide to dig their heels in it will potentially take you months to get them out via legal means.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that because it's been done informally; and that 'you aren't making any money out of it' that you are any less of a landlord than the guys who own dozens of properties and make a living from it; it's just the same.
Comment
-
And you asking them "a few weeks back" to move out was not legal notice under housing law.
To end the tenancy, you would have to give them 2 month's formal written notice, and once this ends, apply to court to evict them - maybe another 4-6 weeks on top. I think you have got off lightly as they have accepted your unofficial and totally random request to leave, and now making you wait an extra day.
Think yourself lucky they have actually gone and don't push them into finding out that they had no need to leave yet, whilst they still have your keys, otherwise they can drag this out for months and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.
Doss with a mate at the weekend and hope they don't find out you've done this all wrong and the law is on their side here.
Comment
-
Nasty?
'snuffink compared to what they could do: Which is force you to evict through the courts - probably take till November.
Ah, you'd force your way in & change the locks? That'll be harassment & illegal eviction - Criminal offence, maybe criminal record then large compo civil case.
Not sure you appreciate the seriousness & dangers of your position.
They could be viewing this thread.
Cheers!I am legally unqualified: If you need to rely on advice check it with a suitable authority - eg a solicitor specialising in landlord/tenant law...
Comment
-
Originally posted by roymoz View Posti'm only asking if theres owt I could do.
There has to be some reason why they are doing this, incidentally; I've never had anything like this happen to me with 'ordinary' tenants, never mind friends (not that I'd ever rent to a friend, it has to be said...). If you genuinely have no idea what their beef is, then find out and possibly you could put things right and back on an even keel?
Comment
-
roymoz perhaps the others are being hard because we see so many accidental LLs, or those who rent to friends, who haven't a clue about LL&T law pitfalls.
What was said in 'informal' agreement about length of fixed term - 12 months?
I doubt you served legal Notice 12 months ago, you did not know then that Kent would not work out.
You might have said 'you can stay for a year' (fixed term) or poss 'we will take it month to month' I month fixed term.
Is rent due on first of month?
Also I bet you failed to provide GSC at start.
Did they ask your permission to redecorate?
Did they they pay a deposit?
The simplest option is to ask them to meet you on the 30th and get them to sign a mutual Deed of Surrender dated 30 June, after handing back the keys. You can then legally re-enter your property.
For the 29th doss on a mate's floor, stay in a Travelodge, sleep in the vehicle.
Comment
-
Whether you "said" 12 month ago it was only a 12 month deal or not, you need to give formal, correctly worded and legal notice - not just ask them to move out. Tenants hold all the cards here if the landlord does not comply with the law and I am afraid you haven't. Even if you consider this was an informal "mates" agreement, in law you have provided accommodation for which the mates have paid rent, so therefore, by default, a tenancy exists and you have to abide by the rules to end it - anything less can be deemed illegal eviction, with a court case and hefty fine against you, possibly even a prison sentence. If the mates don't understand their rights and your obligations, so have been generous enough to move out, so much the better!
Its only an extra day - although I won't hold my breath until you actually get your keys back, as that could be a whole other story if your tenants find out in the meantime that they need not have left any time soon ...
Comment
-
thankyou to you all for taking the time to reply here. I don't mean to upset anyone in any way. i'm not like that. I gave them permission to decorate.they moved in without a deposit,something that was brought to my attention after,nor paid a bond. I gave them 12 months notice 3 or 4 weeks ago just as a kind gesture.it was they who had the tenancy agreement drawn up as they said they would. I hav'nt hassled them in anyway. all this boils down to is the fact we know each other. I don't like to mess people around cos I don't like it either. thanks again to you all for your time. apologies.
Comment
-
Originally posted by roymoz View PostI gave them 12 months notice 3 or 4 weeks ago just as a kind gesture.
Comment
-
I told them they could stay for 12 months as we knew each other & thought I was being decent??!! if they'd of stayed there for 12 months then fine. i'm a man of my word. like I've said they have moved out- last weekend. why are they keeping the keys when I was informed, via txt, that i'd have the keys on sunday??.
Comment
Latest Activity
Collapse
-
by BerlingogirlMy tenant (T) did a runner owing rent - bet that's never happened to anyone else!
T got a property with a housing association (HA)
I wrote to the tenant at the address requesting payment within 14 days (2 letters, different PO's with certs) and one letter was returned.
...-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 09:48 AM -
-
by jpucng62Surely it is really about supply and demand - if there was a surplus of properties tenants could ask for references, deposits etc but at present LLs are the ones who can make those demands because of the lack of supply.
-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 09:45 AM -
-
by mokkaLandlords are to be prevented from evicting tenants in England without giving a reason, under proposals published in a government White Paper.
The Renters Reform Bill will also end blanket bans on benefit claimants or families with children - and landlords must consider requests to allow...-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
16-06-2022, 06:59 AM -
-
Reply to Adapting property for disabilityby BerlingogirlI'm sure the local authority would be delighted to put a tenant in there for you, but they might not be the kind of tenant you'd like. I suggest you don't go via the local authority route and just advertise it as you would normally.
Also your LHA rate might not cover the rent for a very...-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 09:44 AM -
-
by skier3Slightly unusual situation here .. I've had the same tenant for about 6 years now, with no real issues. Within the last two years she's put on so much weight that she is now saying she cannot get into the bath and is asking for it to be replaced with a large shower instead. She's pretty much made...
-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
28-06-2022, 13:35 PM -
-
by roywCan anyone point me at a list of acceptable documents to prove a UK citizen has the right to rent in the UK? I usually ask for a passport but they don't have one....
-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 09:32 AM -
-
Reply to Adapting property for disabilityby banner257I am presently buying a very nice apartment with a large walk-in shower, but it's on the first floor with its own access stairs. Reading the above I wondered if local authorities would be looking out for this type of accommodation for disabled persons. It would only need a stairlift fitted and I would...
-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 09:20 AM -
-
by KTCOnly the Criminal Defence Barristers that are striking.
-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 09:16 AM -
-
by Hudson01Could the strikes to come have an effect on evictions or will it have no impact at all ?
-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
28-06-2022, 19:38 PM -
-
by nukecadAlthough not related to the current strike; this proposed legal aid change may have an impact on possession hearings etc. in a couple of years time:
https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/ho...112768.article...-
Channel: Residential Letting Questions
29-06-2022, 07:48 AM -
Comment