Urgent advice needed on council tenancy

[Jakena]

Hi,

 

We are currently a council tenant in a maisonette who was told by the council this week that we made the short list for a house.

 

The council came and did the checks on our property as procedure and a verification meeting and then told us this morning that our application had been successful.

 

The house we had been offered is a brand new built property and we weren't told the address beforehand so were unable to view it as there are no sign posts etc in the area yet.

 

We arranged a viewing at lunch time and then was told that we had to make a decision immediately else the property would be offered to another tenant.

 

Being rushed and not wanting to lose the possibility of obtaining a house we said yes and then were taken to sign the documents for the property and handed the keys all in the space of a couple of hours.

 

We've now been given a week to move out of our property but since having a closer inspection of the property we've realised that it isn't suitable especially as we have a baby. The reason for moving was to get a more suitable property for a baby as he's growing up.

 

As its the weekend now we can't get hold of any housing officers to discuss our problem. Is there any way we can ask the housing officer Monday morning and tell them we've changed our mind and could we stay where we are. Would they consider this, or is it too late once we've signed on the dotted line?

 

We are really stuck as we have been really rushed into this so any advice would be appreciated.

[mariner51]

If both properties have Council as LL then I would guess they have several other applicants on the short list for a new build and willing to occuppy at v short Notice

 

What would you do if

1 they failed to release you from the new Agreement or

2 asked you for rent for 1 period (wk/month) on new prop as 'compensation'?

 

Remember if your current maisonette was privatly rented you would be required to give pres 1 month Notice.

[totiesquoties]

jakena,

 

first things first, ask the question, ask the council and tell them your problem with the new house, if you cannot get anywhere with them on this, but do try first, they may sort out, but if not, ring your local councillor straight away and explain to him/her, they can do wonders,

hope this helps. totiesquoties.

[Jakena]

We would have done that, but we didnt get to sign the house until last thing on Friday. Now the council offices are all closed and we can't contact anyone until Monday morning which means if we're forced to move we'd lose a whole weekend of moving. We were hoping if anyone knew where we stood legally. If not, we're just going to have to hope they'll be sympathetic to us, they haven't been put out much, The weekend would have only gone by and nothing would have been done yet with our property.

[MrShed]

You can but ask.

 

For what reason is it unsuitable for raising a child?

[stu007]

Hi

 

agree with all advice given there is nothing to loose in asking them that question.

 

Also you were rushed into veiwing and signing this agreement at the same time which if you ask the Council for a copy of there lettings/Exchange policy/procedure as you are supposed to be given a certain time limit from viewing the property (to decide if the porperty is suitable for your needs) to signing the tenancy agreement.

 

The Council right at the start of this should have fully explained the procedure to yourself from viewing, signing new tenancy agreement, time limits for moving from old property to new property etc if this has not been done then the council would be in breach of its own policy/procedures

 

Hope this helps

[totiesquoties]

We would have done that, but we didnt get to sign the house until last thing on Friday. Now the council offices are all closed and we can't contact anyone until Monday morning which means if we're forced to move we'd lose a whole weekend of moving. We were hoping if anyone knew where we stood legally. If not, we're just going to have to hope they'll be sympathetic to us, they haven't been put out much, The weekend would have only gone by and nothing would have been done yet with our property.

 

if you google and type speak to a councillor on housing it brings up councillors you can speak to on the telephone if you cannot attend their surgery, as many have on saturday mornings, depending on what area you live, hope this helps t.q.