UK rent

claus_irl

Hello guys,

I live in the UK with my wife and a child and we're supposed to leave the property we currently live in, in 2 weeks time. However, due to unforseen circumstances with finding a new accommodation, we'll have to stay an extra 2 weeks.

I've told the landlord but he said that a new tenant wants to move in 2 days after our initial move out date.
Does anyone know if I can refuse to leave for the extra 2 weeks and just share with the new tenant if necessary, that's if she refuses to wait 2 more weeks?

We really don't have the extra money to pay for a B&B or hotel so this is the only option until we can move to a new rental accommodation.

Anyone been through this in Ireland (which has a similar legislation) ?

Can he actually evict me or give me bad references even if I continue to pay his rent to cover the extra 2 weeks?

Cheers

ABajaninCork

If your lease is up, then I'm afraid you'll have to move. UK rental law is different to Ireland, contrary to what you think.

Speak to the landlord again, and ask if his new tenant is able to wait two days. I'd also contact the CAB for further advice.

It'll take time to evict you. In that regard, the law is the same as here. And he can certainly refuse a reference if you overhold. Not a good move. Landlords in the UK will certainly take (and check LL refs).

The new tenant will almost certainly refuse to share with you, so I wouldn't bank on that. How would you like it if it were done to you?

claus_irl

Cheers, so even if the new girl refuses to share with us for the extra 2 weeks? I mean, I'll pay his rent, it's not like I'm not and the apartment is in good condition, I wonder why would he give me negative references just for that ?

ABajaninCork

claus_irl wrote: »

Cheers, so even if the new girl refuses to share with us for the extra 2 weeks? I mean, I'll pay his rent, it's not like I'm not and the apartment is in good condition, I wonder why would he give me negative references just for that ?

Why would the new tenant want to accommodate you because of a change in your circumstances? That's not her business.

Doesn't matter the rent was paid, and the place kept in good nick. It simply means you'll get your deposit back, once he gives the go-ahead. You should be doing that anyway!! If you overhold in one place, you might very well overhold in another.

Difficult as your circumstances are, that isn't be the LL's concern. You gave him a date. He got a new tenant based on that date. If I were your LL, I wouldn't look too kindly on that. And I would refuse a reference.

bjork

How much would the 2 weeks in rent be?
You can get cheap weekly rates at B&Bs in most of england (20/night) - lots of working people use them. It'd be ok for the 2 weeks and I can't see it costing more than 2 weeks rent would. I don't know where you are but they're fairly common. Have a look around the area you are living in and ask.


It's totally unrealistic to expect the new tenant to move in you, your wife and child. You will have shown you won't move out on time once, why would they give you the benefit of the doubt the second time?

claus_irl

bjork wrote: »

How much would the 2 weeks in rent be?
You can get cheap weekly rates at B&Bs in most of england (20/night) - lots of working people use them. It'd be ok for the 2 weeks and I can't see it costing more than 2 weeks rent would. I don't know where you are but they're fairly common. Have a look around the area you are living in and ask.


It's totally unrealistic to expect the new tenant to move in you, your wife and child. You will have shown you won't move out on time once, why would they give you the benefit of the doubt the second time?

The cheapest I can find on booking.com for 2 adults and 1 child in North West is costing us near the £800 mark.. my monthly rent is currently £430.

bjork

claus_irl wrote: »

The cheapest I can find on booking.com for 2 adults and 1 child in North West is costing us near the £800 mark.. my monthly rent is currently £430.

Go out in the street and look for B&B, you'll find the cheap ones. Failing that pop on to google maps and look around for signs, then approach. Forget booking.com

whippet

claus_irl wrote: »

Cheers, so even if the new girl refuses to share with us for the extra 2 weeks? I mean, I'll pay his rent, it's not like I'm not and the apartment is in good condition, I wonder why would he give me negative references just for that ?

there is every possibility that the new tenant will tell the LL to go jump and look for somewhere else to live, leaving the LL looking for a new tenant and the possibility of having a vacant property in the mean time.

billy few mates

What tenant in their right mind is going to move into a property only to be told by their new landlord that they were going to have to bunk in with the former tenants for a few weeks...? You'd run a mile.....

claus_irl

billy few mates wrote: »

What tenant in their right mind is going to move into a property only to be told by their new landlord that they were going to have to bunk in with the former tenants for a few weeks...? You'd run a mile.....

Hahahaha, you made my day sir !

I totally get you, but she's a student and hopefully she'll accept :-) if not, I guess I'll just have to accept the negative references if I'll be getting them..there's just no possibility to move a whole van of stuff to an expensive B&B for 2 weeks...it's better to just put up with the potential bad references and continue to stay in the property. Thanks all for the info though!

athtrasna

Did you try Air BnB? Overholding is really not on IMO. Did you end the lease or did the landlord?

slimjimmc

claus_irl wrote: »

Hahahaha, you made my day sir !

I totally get you, but she's a student and hopefully she'll accept :-) if not, I guess I'll just have to accept the negative references if I'll be getting them..there's just no possibility to move a whole van of stuff to an expensive B&B for 2 weeks...it's better to just put up with the potential bad references and continue to stay in the property. Thanks all for the info though!

There's usually an alternative
http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/storage/index/personal/moving
http://www.safestore.co.uk/personal-storage/moving-house.aspx

If you're 100% certain you only need 2 weeks then it shouldn't be too expensive, unless of course 2 weeks becomes 3, 4, etc.

Clearlier

claus_irl wrote: »

Hahahaha, you made my day sir !

I totally get you, but she's a student and hopefully she'll accept :-) if not, I guess I'll just have to accept the negative references if I'll be getting them..there's just no possibility to move a whole van of stuff to an expensive B&B for 2 weeks...it's better to just put up with the potential bad references and continue to stay in the property. Thanks all for the info though!

I'm living and renting in the UK myself and found myself in a similar situation a while back. We put our furniture into storage and went on holiday for the two week gap (we were fortunate with the holiday as it was booked months in advance). Is it an option for you to go somewhere for a couple of weeks? If not there are a lot of B and B's and cheap hotels about - you should be able to do a deal if you can find a local independent place especially at this time of year.

This is likely to cost you money but moving always does. The decent and in the longer term sensible thing to do is to stick to your agreement. References are much more stringently checked here. There's a chance that you'll lose the offer that you currently have for two weeks hence and find it very difficult to get what you might want.

It's a complete pain in the ass to do and you have my sympathy but overholding could give you much bigger problems.

P.S. I suppose you have looked around for alternatives to the place that you plan to move to in two weeks time? Even if it's not your perfect place it would be a better option than what you're currently contemplating.

MarkAnthony

Purely out of interest, why are you asking here?

You don't even mention which one of the three jurisdictions you're in, in the UK at least two of which have quite different legislation to one another. If memory serves it's much easier to pursue tenants for damaged in England and judgements have a much bigger impact on credit rating in the whole of the UK.

Why don't you ask in your local citizens advice office?

claus_irl

athtrasna wrote: »

Did you try Air BnB? Overholding is really not on IMO. Did you end the lease or did the landlord?

The lease ended a few months ago but I continued to pay monthly rent to him. He's happy for us to stay the extra 2 weeks, it's just that the tenant is currently undergoing reference checks and she's very eager to move in ASAP... hopefully she'll be understanding. It's very difficult to move apartment twice with a newborn...not to mention that we need to unpack certain things for the baby. Like I said in an earlier post, it's better to just take it in the chin and accept a possible bad reference.

Uno my Uno.

It is very unfair to think that the new Tenant should share with you for two weeks, or that the landlord should agree to let you overhold for those two weeks. What happens if you need another two weeks or another two weeks after that? if the roles were reversed you'd be demanding that the previous tenant leave on time.

If you overhold that is your decision and your business but do it with your eyes open and know that it is unfair to both the Landlord and his new tenant who will also now be looking for alternative accommodation while waiting for you to leave. There would be costs implications for them and I am sure they would seek to have you pay for them.

Better to look harder for some new permanent accommodation and find something temporary in the mean time. Airbnb.com usually has all sorts of accommodation and with reasonable weekly and monthly rates.

MarkAnthony

claus_irl wrote: »

The lease ended a few months ago but I continued to pay monthly rent to him. He's happy for us to stay the extra 2 weeks, it's just that the tenant is currently undergoing reference checks and she's very eager to move in ASAP... hopefully she'll be understanding. It's very difficult to move apartment twice with a newborn...not to mention that we need to unpack certain things for the baby. Like I said in an earlier post, it's better to just take it in the chin and accept a possible bad reference.

Until you're moving out and the it's done to you in the place you're moving into.

Either the LL is okay with it and you gave notice appropriately or he isn't and you didn't.

claus_irl

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Purely out of interest, why are you asking here?

You don't even mention which one of the three jurisdictions you're in, in the UK at least two of which have quite different legislation to one another. If memory serves it's much easier to pursue tenants for damaged in England and judgements have a much bigger impact on credit rating in the whole of the UK.

Why don't you ask in your local citizens advice office?

It's in England and I'm asking here cause there's no UK alternative of Boards.ie..I've lived in Ireland a long time and know that I could find an answer or some guidance on this site :-)

I've also asked citizen info but I'm very eager to get some tips from someone who's been through it already.

Clearlier

claus_irl wrote: »

The lease ended a few months ago but I continued to pay monthly rent to him. He's happy for us to stay the extra 2 weeks, it's just that the tenant is currently undergoing reference checks and she's very eager to move in ASAP... hopefully she'll be understanding. It's very difficult to move apartment twice with a newborn...not to mention that we need to unpack certain things for the baby. Like I said in an earlier post, it's better to just take it in the chin and accept a possible bad reference.

That sounds a bit different. Has anyone actually given formal notice here (landlord or you)?

claus_irl

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

It is very unfair to think that the new Tenant should share with you for two weeks, or that the landlord should agree to let you overhold for those two weeks. What happens if you need another two weeks or another two weeks after that? if the roles were reversed you'd be demanding that the previous tenant leave on time.

If you overhold that is your decision and your business but do it with your eyes open and know that it is unfair to both the Landlord and his new tenant who will also now be looking for alternative accommodation while waiting for you to leave. There would be costs implications for them and I am sure they would seek to have you pay for them.

Better to look harder for some new permanent accommodation and find something temporary in the mean time. Airbnb.com usually has all sorts of accommodation and with reasonable weekly and monthly rates.

Thanks for the tips ! I'm willing to pay the student half a month's rent for having to put up with this and also willing to share the flat with her (2nd bedroom is empty and she can sleep there) no additional costs for her, no utilities etc.. all would be covered by me. The only hope is that she'll accept.

Uno my Uno.

claus_irl wrote: »

Thanks for the tips ! I'm willing to pay the student half a month's rent for having to put up with this and also willing to share the flat with her (2nd bedroom is empty and she can sleep there) no additional costs for her, no utilities etc.. all would be covered by me. The only hope is that she'll accept.

Hope away but she has absolutely zero reason to accept and if she has any sense she will refuse to move in until you're gone.

claus_irl

Clearlier wrote: »

That sounds a bit different. Has anyone actually given formal notice here (landlord or you)?

I've given him formal notice, a month before the due date, however, 2 weeks before we have to leave, I've informed him that we badly need to stay the extra 2 weeks. I'd go for a site like airbnb but it's a lot of hassle considering we've a baby...if it was just me and the wife I'd do it no problem !

Clearlier

By the way. Moneysavingexpert has a forum which deals with renting in the UK here. Lots of very knowledgeable people.

ABajaninCork

There's also the Consumer Action Group which has a very good section on renting...

freelancerTax

claus_irl wrote: »

I've given him formal notice, a month before the due date, however, 2 weeks before we have to leave, I've informed him that we badly need to stay the extra 2 weeks. I'd go for a site like airbnb but it's a lot of hassle considering we've a baby...if it was just me and the wife I'd do it no problem !

so instead of manning up and dealing with this "hassle" you'd much rather project the hassle onto two innocent parties
you realise the landlord may loose the tenant and that the tenant will have to look for somewhere else to live at short notice? but oh no i have a baby im more important............?

the correct thing to do is for you to leave on the agreed date and suck up the extra cost as its your problem not the landlords or new tenants,
doing anything else would be just you being an immature selfish baby

or tell you what the new tenant who has also probably given notice should overhold on their current place for two weeks also and the new tenant for their place should also overhold for two weeks and..........

expect the landlord to retain your deposit, you wont be saving anything by not getting a b&b .......

billy few mates

(2nd bedroom is empty and she can sleep there)

Very generous of you....

athtrasna

There is absolutely no way I'd move in with a stranger into the flat I'VE RENTED, even for two weeks and for free. For starters it's dangerous, Annie and Fred West appeared to be a caring couple and look what they were actually like. Secondly if I'm renting somewhere on my own it's because I want to live alone.

Sorry OP but what you're asking is unreasonable to the extreme. You set a move out date, move out on that date. It's not fair to anyone to overhold and plenty of options have been suggested to you here.

claus_irl

athtrasna wrote: »

There is absolutely no way I'd move in with a stranger into the flat I'VE RENTED, even for two weeks and for free. For starters it's dangerous, Annie and Fred West appeared to be a caring couple and look what they were actually like. Secondly if I'm renting somewhere on my own it's because I want to live alone.

Sorry OP but what you're asking is unreasonable to the extreme. You set a move out date, move out on that date. It's not fair to anyone to overhold and plenty of options have been suggested to you here.

I'd be very curious what you'd do if you had a baby and a lot of stuff to cary and you suddenly found out that because of an estate agent's mistake..you're pretty much in a tight spot and have to wait the extra 2 weeks (and it definitely won't be longer). Just wondering, why all the negativity though? I'm offering to pay her half of the 1st month's rent if she accepts to wait the extra 2 weeks, I think it's fair for her hassle on having to wait the extra time. Yet for a baby to have to move to a B&B..it would cost us £800...or £500 with appauling conditions which could lead to the baby getting sick...who's then responsible for it?

claus_irl

athtrasna wrote: »

There is absolutely no way I'd move in with a stranger into the flat I'VE RENTED, even for two weeks and for free. For starters it's dangerous, Annie and Fred West appeared to be a caring couple and look what they were actually like. Secondly if I'm renting somewhere on my own it's because I want to live alone.

Sorry OP but what you're asking is unreasonable to the extreme. You set a move out date, move out on that date. It's not fair to anyone to overhold and plenty of options have been suggested to you here.

I'd be very curious what you'd do if you had a baby and a lot of stuff to carry and you suddenly found out that because of an estate agent's mistake..you're pretty much in a tight spot and have to wait the extra 2 weeks (and it definitely won't be longer). Just wondering, why all the negativity though? I'm offering to pay her half of the 1st month's rent if she accepts to wait the extra 2 weeks, I think it's fair for her hassle on having to wait the extra time. Yet for a baby to have to move to a B&B..it would cost us £800...or £500 with appauling conditions which could lead to the baby getting sick...who's then responsible for it?

ABajaninCork

claus_irl wrote: »

I'd be very curious what you'd do if you had a baby and a lot of stuff to carry and you suddenly found out that because of an estate agent's mistake..you're pretty much in a tight spot and have to wait the extra 2 weeks (and it definitely won't be longer). Just wondering, why all the negativity though? I'm offering to pay her half of the 1st month's rent if she accepts to wait the extra 2 weeks, I think it's fair for her hassle on having to wait the extra time.

Oh, stop being so dramatic!!

We've told you over and over. Your circumstances although less than ideal are absolutely NOT the concern of the landlord or the new tenant. You have to sort this out yourself.

You've been given plenty of options. Air BnB being one. Here's a radical idea. Before you go ahead and get one or a B & B, why don't you inspect the facilities before agreeing to take it? It's only short-term. I'm sure you'll manage.

claus_irl wrote: »

Yet for a baby to have to move to a B&B..it would cost us £800...or £500 with appauling conditions which could lead to the baby getting sick...who's then responsible for it?

That's down to you. You're the parent. It's down to you to make sure the baby has suitable facilities. Nobody else.

freelancerTax

claus_irl wrote: »

I'd be very curious what you'd do if you had a baby and a lot of stuff to carry and you suddenly found out that because of an estate agent's mistake..you're pretty much in a tight spot and have to wait the extra 2 weeks (and it definitely won't be longer). Just wondering, why all the negativity though? I'm offering to pay her half of the 1st month's rent if she accepts to wait the extra 2 weeks, I think it's fair for her hassle on having to wait the extra time. Yet for a baby to have to move to a B&B..it would cost us £800...or £500 with appauling conditions which could lead to the baby getting sick...who's then responsible for it?

I would put every thing in storage except what I need for 2 weeks as (I used big yellow storage when I did it in the UK) I would then get suitable accommodation for my family rather than wasting time on a forum trying to make excuses for ripping other people off. how much is your deposit? do you really think you will get it back with this behaviour?

you make it out to be a great deal for the new tenant... you are forgetting though that she hasn't asked for this and likely doesn't want your "great" arrangement

slimjimmc

claus_irl wrote: »

I'd be very curious what you'd do if you had a baby and a lot of stuff to cary and you suddenly found out that because of an estate agent's mistake..you're pretty much in a tight spot and have to wait the extra 2 weeks (and it definitely won't be longer). Just wondering, why all the negativity though? I'm offering to pay her half of the 1st month's rent if she accepts to wait the extra 2 weeks, I think it's fair for her hassle on having to wait the extra time. Yet for a baby to have to move to a B&B..it would cost us £800...or £500 with appauling conditions which could lead to the baby getting sick...who's then responsible for it?

Shouldn't you be taking this up with the estate agent? If they screwed up and it's their fault you're in this predicament then shouldn't you be holding them liable for your additional expenses?

Trudiha

I think that you might be setting yourself up for more than a bad reference but it's best you talk to the experts:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helpline

Marcusm

Surely you must realise that the new place will be dependent on a good reference from the current landlord which will not be available if you displace an incoming tenant. Indeed, the other landlird/agent would sensibly withdraw the offer if they became aware of your behaviour.

claus_irl

Marcusm wrote: »

Surely you must realise that the new place will be dependent on a good reference from the current landlord which will not be available if you displace an incoming tenant. Indeed, the other landlird/agent would sensibly withdraw the offer if they became aware of your behaviour.

I have not said this to the new landlord and as I mentioned earlier, the current landlord is ok with us staying as long as the new girl won't pass the reference checks or accepts the wait.

If there's really no other option then I'd move to a B&B but I just wanted to get some info..I wasn't expecting so many negative comments on this. :-(

freelancerTax

overholding is a dick move you hardly expected postive commnets for pulling such a stunt on people and causing them expense and loss.

good to hear you are going to do the right thing

ft