Landlord refuses to renew contract

[shortwoman68]

I am trying to find out information for a friend.  She was moved from her accommodation which she shared with others but each having a studio flat, as the Landlord wanted the property back.  As the group did not wish to be evicted, they contact an organisation called Hope Worldwide. They helped her move into another property in a different borough but it was a shared accommodation. She has been in the property for over 3 years.  She recently spoke to the Landlord and found out that he contract with the landlord had expired. She asked if it could be renewed however the Landlord refused but is still allowing her to remain in the property as the rent is still being paid by the DWP.  She is currently receiving Universal Credit but looking for a job. She would like to move out of the flatshare but as she is a single person is not considered a priority.  Any suggestions?

[unclebulgaria67]

Housing rental likely to be open ended with landlord required to give notice, if they wanted tenants to move out for reasons other than eviction due to rent arrears.

 

Universal credit housing compared to council housing benefit does not appear to be as restrictive in terms of people moving to other parts of the UK. If your friend can find housing elsewhere, then subject to UC housing amount payable being enough, then there is nothing stopping your friend moving.  If your friend is is aged 35+ or in receipt of a disability benefit then they can receive at least 1 bed rate.

[stu007]

Hi

 

I assume this is private housing and she has been in the present flat share for 3 yrs so here tenancy agreement is more than likely a periodic tenancy now as the fixed term has expired (this is me guessing)

 

What tenancy agreement did they sign for the flat share and do they have a copy?

 

They need to look at what social housing is in the area i.e. council housing, housing association, housing trusts etc and get there application forms and fill them out and send them back to each. This way they get there name added to the waiting list for housing but if they move they must inform each of that move otherwise they may be removed from that list as contactable ( most review there lists each year and send confirmation to the application address unless updated, if no response removed from list)

 

 

[shortwoman68]

Thank you for this information. I have messaged the company who placed her in the property and asked if they can intervene.

[Will Goodfellow]

Why does she want to renew the contract if she wants to move out? A new contract would mean that she is bound by the fixed term so would be liable for rent until the term finished. Because there is no renewed tenancy does not mean that she has no tenant's rights. The landlord still needs to give sufficient notice to evict her, and she needs to give sufficient notice to leave too. What that notice period is depends on what type of tenancy was originally signed.

Edited May 15, 2019 by Will Goodfellow

[shortwoman68]

Thank you for your reply.  I have tried to get her to contact the organisation who placed her there in the first place. She is waiting for them to make contact to sort this out for her.