General Chat

Relation of mine - don't ask, had several flats, bedsits, etc., usually given the heave by the landlord for non-payment of rent, not complying with notice to quit, etc., etc. Has been living on a temporary basis with a friend of his brother, just until he found somewhere else to live, and has been for several years now, made no attempt to sort things out for himself.

On benefits for years, starts a job, packs it all in after a few weeks.

Got notice to quit from his landlord. Council told landlord (who owns his own home), he could not put our relation out on the street, the matter would have to go to court, and only a judge could do that! So relation is now on council waiting list for accommodation. And the landlord is stuck with his tenant.

I am gutted for the landlord, really gutted, he did this chap a favour, and then when he wanted his home back to himself, is told he can't unless his tenant finds somewhere else to live.

None of the family are willing to have the relation. We have been stung by his selfishness before, and "carried" him for too long. This is an early middle aged person we are talking about.

So, you buy your own home, pay your way, council tax and the rest, but, if you are an irresponsible sort, you get helped all the way.

Another relative, young Mum, with three small children, forced to flee the marital home, was told that she would have to wait many years for council accommodation, she was not anywhere near priority.

Like Mrs Gene Hunt, I am letting off steam.

Angel,

This is seen far too often nowadays. There are too many laws to help those that do not help themselves. We had a case near here just a few weeks ago.....The couple owned their own home, the husband was offered a job in another county but they decided that has the firm provided accomodation, they would rent their own house out on a yearly basis.

The wife became pregnant and had a son, the husband was made redundant, so they had to come back to Essex. Gave the house tenant notice that they would not be renewing the lease, and they went to live with her mother for the remaining 4 weeks of the yearly tenancy.

The person renting their house decided to stay put, court case followed to evic the tenant........the court said..."Unless the tenant can find somewhere else to live, tough , they could not have their house back"...Needless to say, the tenant just stayed put.

So we have a couple with a small child living in cramped conditions with her parents, but still payimng the mortgage on a house they cannot live in.

Do courts live in the real world?????

Kathlyn - I cannot imagine what the couple with the small child are going through. Hope the absolutely disgraceful tenant moves out soon.

I myself had tenants for about five years. We only had real trouble with one, whose references had been "airbrushed", and who threatened the letting agent with a solicitor when she had not paid the rent, accusing him and his staff of fraud. Fortunately, she moved out shortly after, which was a huge relief.

Thanks Sandie! As someone who is in closer contact with our relation has remarked, "he knows how to work the system".

I am no longer a landlord, by the way.