Out on my ear after 25 years

Out on my ear after 25 years

9:49 AM, 8th May 2015, About 9 years ago 137

Text Size

I have been a private tenant for 25 years, living above a commercial premises. 

Totally out of the blue 3 weeks ago we received a section 21 notice from our landlords solicitor. I would like to point out here that we have ALWAYS paid our rent, council tax and water rates.

Anyway, we have received this devastating blow, legally it appears we have not a leg to stand on but surely morals and fair play as well as common sense should prevail here?

I am not asking my landlord to allow us to stay, if he wants us gone then that is his decision, but I strongly feel that he should offer us something in the way of compensation.

1) How the hell am I supposed to pack up 25 years of my life, hold down a job and take care of my son who has a disability in just 8 weeks?

2) Why should I have to go to the expense of storage fees and removal fees, not forgetting to mention the hefty agents fees, deposits and so on I am expected to pluck out of thin air?

3) We have very recently (last 6 months) decorated throughout, new carpets and stuff and it leaves a very bitter taste that our hard works and efforts will be enjoyed by somebody else.

Am I being unreasonable do you think?

Regards

Nicola


Share This Article


Comments

Martin T

9:50 AM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "nicola wilkins" at "08/05/2015 - 15:09":

A landlord and tenant relationship is a two way contract. You pay rent and the landlord provides accommodation. The Landlord does not owe you anything else. Nicola the compensation that you say you are owed has been paid to you already through your reduced rent. Your Landlord has been good to you for all this time by not raising the rent. Now it sounds that you have become expectant of the landlord to maintain your life style. It's a hard fact of life but we are all responsible for ourselves. Your landlord probably want's to put the rent up to the correct level and may be aware that you can't afford it. Under the circumstances I would have expected more honesty from your landlord and more time to find a suitable new home. Because of the hardships you now face and in light of the fact you have a disabled son perhaps your best option would be to approach the council.

TheMaluka

11:19 AM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Oh Martin a landlord owes much more to a decent tenant and stability of tenancy is above all else. As a long standing landlord I would never do to Nicola what her landlord is attempting and in the unlikely event of a property becoming unavailable for any reason I would always offer alternative accommodation.

Bad tenants are different and deserve all they heap on themselves.

Martin T

11:54 AM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

David I did say I would expect the landlord to be more caring, but this is down to an individuals morals and not a requirement of the law. As a landlord I personally would not have done this to Nicola, I would have given her three months to find somewhere suitable. But I expect she would still be aggrieved as she would still have to move out of the area to find similar accommodation at that price, so no real easy solution. Nicola feels she is owed money as compensation and this is absolutely not the case. Nicola has said that to rent another similar property would cost twice what she is paying, so obviously offering alternative accommodation is not possible.

Jay James

16:10 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "nicola wilkins" at "19/06/2015 - 19:43":

Yes, I edited the comment to remove what I reconsidered (to be insensitive) - ie an implication of being willing to not pay rent whilst awaiting a court order for bailiffs.

nicola wilkins

21:11 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Martin Taylor" at "20/06/2015 - 09:50":

Martin
Thank you for your comments
I agree the 'relationship' is a two way thing , the rent was not set by me it was set by the landlord and perhaps the reason he has not increased it is because there is a clause that says words along the lines of " increases will be comparable to other ASSURED rents in the area "
My guess is that there are not many assured tenancies left , apart from those that are Council / housing association.

To say that this place had been neglected before I moved in would be an understatement , there was no kitchen as such ..... there is now ....paid for by me
There was no bath ......there is now , along with a shower ........paid for by me .....
The Kitchen ceiling was covered in the god awful poly tiles , (a fire hazard) removed , replastering etc ....paid for by me ...I could go on .........

There IS, more often than not a bigger picture Martin
I am not some money grabbing freeloader that has looked upon this as an opportunity to make a few quid , regardless of the names on the deeds , lease hold or whatever this IS my home , why should I leave behind everything I have worked hard for ??

nicola wilkins

21:13 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Jay James" at "20/06/2015 - 16:10":

Jay ,
If that is / was your opinion (insensitive or not ) you are very much entitled to it 🙂
BUT
I have EVERY INTENTION of paying my rent until I close the front door for the last time .

nicola wilkins

21:29 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "David Price" at "20/06/2015 - 11:19":

Thank you for you kind comments David .

Jay James

21:45 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "David Price" at "20/06/2015 - 11:19":

What exactly is it that Nicola's LL has done that you would not?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

22:07 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Jay James" at "20/06/2015 - 21:45":

It's what he appears not to have done that's a problem. If he had served the right notices he wouldn't have a problem. He's tried to be clever and its backfired. All he needed to do is serve a s13 notice to increase rent to market level.
.

TheMaluka

22:42 PM, 20th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Jay James" at "20/06/2015 - 21:45":

I have never and would never issue a s21 to a good tenant. My job is to put roofs over heads and evicting a good tenant is not in my best interests nor the interests of the tenant. In the circumstances of her landlord I would negotiate with the freeholder to try to ensure continuity of tenure.

I cherish and look after my good tenants.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now