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My eviction, ongoing saga

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csearle
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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150687

Postby csearle » July 7th, 2018, 10:16 am

UncleEbenezer wrote:It's absolutely not necessary for the tenancy to continue, and it's very unlikely to be in either the tenant's or the landlord's interests (though rogue agents may try to convince you otherwise). Do you have communication with your landlord?
I have only recently, through chance, discovered who the actual owner is (well I think I have). He has appointed Ward and Partners as landlords. They charged me a total of £424 fees for a one bed flat in Tunbridge Wells plus £96 per year for what seems to be nothing in return, plus if I don't waste my time on this online signing they pester me.

The absolute headache of finding a suitably priced rental flat and the horrendous charges involved with these professional landlords is enough to stop me even considering causing a problem. I have always got on very well with my landlords, whoever they have been, and don't want to blemish my record. I do wish though that the owner would do me the favour of cutting out the middle man leeching money out of both of us.

Regards,
Chris

AleisterCrowley
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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150708

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 7th, 2018, 11:26 am

I may end up with all my belongings in a shopping trolley, living in a box under the bridge.

UncleEbenezer
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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150724

Postby UncleEbenezer » July 7th, 2018, 12:25 pm

AleisterCrowley wrote:I may end up with all my belongings in a shopping trolley, living in a box under the bridge.

You can do better than that. When I was "between homes" for several months in 1992, I found some much nicer places to kip out. In fact, the whole experience of homelessness was much less stressful and unpleasant than renting as a young grad in London in the 1980s. The main concern was to get the next job, so I had some idea where to look for a home, quite apart from standing any chance of either qualifying or paying for it!

BTW, that was when the next job turned out to be just outside Rome.

p.s. Radio 4 "Money Box" talking about lettings right now!

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150731

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 7th, 2018, 1:07 pm

I'll check it out on iPlayer later.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150754

Postby bungeejumper » July 7th, 2018, 3:30 pm

Ouch, AC, I'm so sorry to hear about all this. I can't think of anything very much I can suggest, apart from perhaps asking your employer for some assistance?

Sometimes larger companies will maintain a small stock of crashpads for the use of visitors, etc - but, failing that, they also tend to be well regarded by the lettings agencies because their tenants tend to be (a) longer-term and (b) better-behaved than the average unknown quantity who comes in off the street. ;)

Commiserations, anyway. Hope you get it sorted soon.

BJ

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150763

Postby quelquod » July 7th, 2018, 4:43 pm

AleisterCrowley wrote:... living in a box under the bridge.


A box? You had a box?? (With acknowledgement).

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150768

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 7th, 2018, 5:01 pm

Luxury...

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150774

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 7th, 2018, 5:24 pm

bungeejumper wrote:Ouch, AC, I'm so sorry to hear about all this. I can't think of anything very much I can suggest, apart from perhaps asking your employer for some assistance?

Sometimes larger companies will maintain a small stock of crashpads for the use of visitors, etc - but, failing that, they also tend to be well regarded by the lettings agencies because their tenants tend to be (a) longer-term and (b) better-behaved than the average unknown quantity who comes in off the street. ;)

Commiserations, anyway. Hope you get it sorted soon.

BJ

It's not the end of the world,I've been meaning to move for some time as most of my meetings are over in Reading. Just come at a bad time, as I've got a couple of holidays booked late July and August. At least it forces me to take action - I would have probably kicked the decision down the road, and ended staying another ten years..
Knowing I'll be literally homeless in mid September is sobering..but at least I've got a big cash pile so I can throw some money at the problem.
Looks like I'll need £1000 just to pay the agency fees :-(

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150777

Postby csearle » July 7th, 2018, 5:44 pm

AleisterCrowley wrote:...I've got a big cash pile...
I've heard Tunbridge Wells is nice at this time of year. You can always crash on my sofa old bean. C.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150778

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 7th, 2018, 5:50 pm

Is it Ok if I sacrifice the occasional goat?
Thanks for the offer, but the commute would be a killer :D
Plus, I think my ex lives in Tunbridge (or possibly Tonbridge?)

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150780

Postby csearle » July 7th, 2018, 6:00 pm

AleisterCrowley wrote:Is it Ok if I sacrifice the occasional goat?
Thanks for the offer, but the commute would be a killer :D
Plus, I think my ex lives in Tunbridge (or possibly Tonbridge?)
Yes, I admit, that would put me off too. C.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150794

Postby UncleEbenezer » July 7th, 2018, 7:47 pm

AleisterCrowley wrote:Is it Ok if I sacrifice the occasional goat?
Thanks for the offer, but the commute would be a killer :D
Plus, I think my ex lives in Tunbridge (or possibly Tonbridge?)

There is (or at least used to be) a direct train link Tonbridge-Reading. Might be less painful than you think. :D

Hmm, scrub that. Looks as if you now have to change at Redhill, so not so much fun. :oops: Though still not as painful as via London.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150796

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 7th, 2018, 8:01 pm

Not a fast line that anyway -can't remember what class trains they use , but they come in on the short platforms near the main exit (4/5/6?)
Chris, you're safe, don't worry:-)
A work colleague has offered me his spare room in Newbury if the worst happens.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150867

Postby wilbobob » July 8th, 2018, 12:15 pm

I just had a look on Gumtree where there are 61 non-agency flats listed in Reading. I have an aversion to Gumtree but there may be something there that will suit you and avoid having to deal with the bloodsucking end of the agency system.
Apologies if you've already explored there.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150870

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 8th, 2018, 12:27 pm

I've never used Gumtree. Are there any risks? At least going via agency I can be (I hope) comfortable that all the legal business is in order

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#150963

Postby wilbobob » July 8th, 2018, 6:43 pm

Gumtree in my mind operates like the board with postcards in the Co-op. There are bargains to be had, and sellers that it's best to walk away from. You'll never know till you make contact.
I've successfully sold a few items there, though I did find the responses from people who only wanted my mobile number a bit puzzling. Never bought anything. Can't tell you any more than that

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#152460

Postby Infrasonic » July 15th, 2018, 1:52 pm

AleisterCrowley wrote:I've never used Gumtree. Are there any risks? At least going via agency I can be (I hope) comfortable that all the legal business is in order


How much reading up on landlord/tenant law have you done?
It's an easy job these days with so many online resources, less than an hour of research would get you covered on most of the obvious bits like tenancy deposit scheme, AST's, section 21, section 8 et al.

I did it years ago when faced with eviction, the landlord served a section 21, unfortunately for him we were all on assured tenancies, not assured shorthold tenancies as he'd wrongly assumed...
I read up at the library and booked half an hour with a specialist property solicitor to check that my knowledge was up to date, which cost me £90.
Eventually I got a pay off of £2k and moved elsewhere.

As a landlord myself these days the knowledge has proved just as useful, especially when I need to kick the lazy letting agent up the ar*e...:)

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#152532

Postby AleisterCrowley » July 15th, 2018, 7:22 pm

I've not really read up on the legal aspects. I did have a look at the Shelter site. A lot of my 'work' involves struggling with a massive contract (phone book size) so I'm not keen doing the same in my own time!
Guess I'll have to.

Couple of questions:

Two months notice - this is calendar months I assume, not 60 days/8 weeks or similar?

As my flat is being (has been?) sold to a private buyer 'as is' will the landlord have any right to retain part of the damage deposit? Given the length of time I've been here I don't think I could be charged anyway as all the furniture etc will have depreciated to zero

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#152615

Postby Pipsmum » July 16th, 2018, 10:02 am

Ever thought of living on a longboat? Very cheap method of life. Nice in summer and a bit tough in winter but depends where you are.

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Re: My eviction, ongoing saga

#152617

Postby redsturgeon » July 16th, 2018, 10:05 am

Pipsmum wrote:Ever thought of living on a longboat? Very cheap method of life. Nice in summer and a bit tough in winter but depends where you are.


Aleister the Viking?

John


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