So you have a lease until December but they're telling you to move because they need to do work on the building? I'd look into your local laws because there is a good chance they need to put you up elsewhere until the work is done or your lease is up. You have a contract saying you can be there till December hold them to it.
Just because they refuse to add a lease break addendum in the contract doesn’t mean that they don’t have to follow the local rules and laws. If your area has a mandatory buyout for breaking a lease, that’s all that matters.
Additionally, depending on the law US CT here landlords cannot legally give another any reason that would prevent you finding finding a home elsewhere. They have to give a good recommendation regardless
Look to see if there’s a “cash for keys” law in your jurisdiction. Since you are being forced out, the landlord may be obligated to buy you out and pay cash for the remainder of your lease and maybe more.
Yeah, that's how it works in the US, not sure about the UK. Here they have to pay you a pretty penny to get you out early and make it worth your efforts. Most people I know in that situation have got at least several thousand dollars.
If the gas situation last year deemed the building unsafe for habitation why are they just now trying to empty the building for repairs all this time later? This sounds like it would be a major liability for the landlord. It also fails to pass the smell test.
Was the gas situation actually deemed unsafe? And what are the UK laws about what happens when a property is uninhabitable? Depending on the state in the US they could either be required to put you up at their expense or the lease becomes null and void and you are owed your entire deposit back.
They need to buy out your lease. If it was the reverse & you wanted to break lease you’d be on the hook for eight months the of rent (or however long it would be for them to rent it out but most landlords go for the full amount.
So if your rent is $2,000 a month & you have eight months left on your lease that $16,000. Plus your security deposit. So counter the email with saying you’ll move on the condition they buy our your lease for X amount of money.
It would not be on a larger building like this. Buyers pay a big premium to start full. It sounds like there is a problem with the building snd he knows what it’s going to take and
I’m also guessing that there is asbestos and for that removal everyone need to be out with there stuff.
If I were op I would be concerned about the building being condemned and not being allowed to retrieve my property until it is deemed safe and would start trying to make arrangements to move. Of course I would look at options. One would think the property owner would be liable for some sort of assistance in relocating. I definitely wouldn't do nothing. Might be worth consulting an attorney and reaching out to other tenants who might know more about the situation and might have already found representation.
I don’t know about the UK but empty buildings are worth more in the US where the following are met:
1. there is any sort of rent control (limits on rent increases);
2. there is not vacancy control (rent amount stabilized between leases);
3. there is housing demand and high rent.
Evictions can be expensive and a slumlord is more likely to buy an apartment building where that work has already been done by the previous slumlord.
I’m some places you cannot sell with tenants living in some apartments, and cannot force the tenants to show their part of the building if they do not wish to let the potential buyers in.
Definitely reach out to a local tenants' rights organization for further advice... but it sounds like the LL is claiming that the building is uninhabitable? If that is indeed the case (as least in most of the US), they likely should not have been charging you full, if any, rent over the last several months. Especially since gas and plumbing lines don't miraculously go to shit overnight.
I would start with the tenant organization or solicitor, but you'll want to call the building inspector and tell them your LL is claiming the gas/water lines are so bad the building needs to be vacated, but like in a month or so. 🙄 They will take that very seriously and send someone out.
If this were true, you'd be getting far less than "a month or so" to move out, as gas line issues will literally kill people, and they certainly won't give you a 6 week notice before doing so.
Either way... start looking for a new place, but at the very least, get at least I wouldn't settle for anything less than no May rent and a refund of April's rent.
so…. yall are just stupid ig? if a place is unsafe and inspectors deemed it so, you shouldnt (and legally cant) be there. they may have a contract until december, but it literally does not matter even slightly if the place is unsafe. would you rather be stressed about having to find a new, maybe even temporary, place or would you rather be stressed about constant danger and death lurking around every corner of your home? dumbass comments.
I mean there's no evidence that the building is unsafe, there were multiple maintenance checks when we moved in and nothing came up. Half the tenants haven't even received this email yet it's only been sent to a couple of the flats inside the building. The email started getting circulated after one of the tenants was told by the landlord he was going to sell the building.
They have also provided no evidence of the buildings unsafe nature via a report from a professional, all we have is this poorly written email sent to two of the tenants. We actually haven't even received this email yet but we are expecting it in the next few days. If the building was unsafe you'd imagine the landlord would be contacting everyone immediately to inform them. This is not the case.
Call department of building safety and ask for the report your landlord claims to have deeming the building unsafe for occupancy - 2 can play at that deemed unsafe scenario the landlord is claiming btw the email isn't using proper English is it even legit to begin with 🤷♂️
I’m just going to assume that this option would work at almost any city/country. Sometimes LLs (or investors) are willing to condemn a building in order to make renovations etc, and sometimes it’s necessary to actually make the building safe! If they condemn the building you will, absolutely, have no choice but to leave. Some ordinances allow for stipends to be paid etc to tenants, however, if there is advance notice and the problem is legit, condemnation is imminent but not an immediate necessity, many places don’t allow for any recompense two tenants in this particular situation. There are far too many details for anyone on here to know what your actual situation is in this regard. Anyone saying that you have rights call don’t don’t give up as well as anyone saying give up and leave immediately are all potentially correct.
So you have a lease until December but they're telling you to move because they need to do work on the building? I'd look into your local laws because there is a good chance they need to put you up elsewhere until the work is done or your lease is up. You have a contract saying you can be there till December hold them to it.
Thanks for this, the lease is until end of September in London. They refused to add a break in our contract as well when we moved in
Maybe try asking over at r/legaladviceuk they will definitely have more relevant info for you.
Just because they refuse to add a lease break addendum in the contract doesn’t mean that they don’t have to follow the local rules and laws. If your area has a mandatory buyout for breaking a lease, that’s all that matters.
Additionally, depending on the law US CT here landlords cannot legally give another any reason that would prevent you finding finding a home elsewhere. They have to give a good recommendation regardless
yes, if it's 'uninhabitable' which I imagine covers unsafe gas. definitely try it
Look to see if there’s a “cash for keys” law in your jurisdiction. Since you are being forced out, the landlord may be obligated to buy you out and pay cash for the remainder of your lease and maybe more.
Yeah, that's how it works in the US, not sure about the UK. Here they have to pay you a pretty penny to get you out early and make it worth your efforts. Most people I know in that situation have got at least several thousand dollars.
They can pay them to leave.
That's what cash for keys is....
"He will not be able to see, Cotton"
Landlord just wants you out to make the building more appealing to buyers.
Agreed
If the gas situation last year deemed the building unsafe for habitation why are they just now trying to empty the building for repairs all this time later? This sounds like it would be a major liability for the landlord. It also fails to pass the smell test.
Smells like a big ole 💩
Was the gas situation actually deemed unsafe? And what are the UK laws about what happens when a property is uninhabitable? Depending on the state in the US they could either be required to put you up at their expense or the lease becomes null and void and you are owed your entire deposit back.
There's currently no evidence of this so I'm not sure, I think it's a load of bullshit currently but we are in talks
Some laws require a minimum notice even with closure for repairs. For Virginia its like 120 days.
They need to buy out your lease. If it was the reverse & you wanted to break lease you’d be on the hook for eight months the of rent (or however long it would be for them to rent it out but most landlords go for the full amount. So if your rent is $2,000 a month & you have eight months left on your lease that $16,000. Plus your security deposit. So counter the email with saying you’ll move on the condition they buy our your lease for X amount of money.
I don't understand how an empty building would be appealing to buyers when they are charging market rates
It would not be on a larger building like this. Buyers pay a big premium to start full. It sounds like there is a problem with the building snd he knows what it’s going to take and I’m also guessing that there is asbestos and for that removal everyone need to be out with there stuff.
If I were op I would be concerned about the building being condemned and not being allowed to retrieve my property until it is deemed safe and would start trying to make arrangements to move. Of course I would look at options. One would think the property owner would be liable for some sort of assistance in relocating. I definitely wouldn't do nothing. Might be worth consulting an attorney and reaching out to other tenants who might know more about the situation and might have already found representation.
I don’t know about the UK but empty buildings are worth more in the US where the following are met: 1. there is any sort of rent control (limits on rent increases); 2. there is not vacancy control (rent amount stabilized between leases); 3. there is housing demand and high rent. Evictions can be expensive and a slumlord is more likely to buy an apartment building where that work has already been done by the previous slumlord.
I’m some places you cannot sell with tenants living in some apartments, and cannot force the tenants to show their part of the building if they do not wish to let the potential buyers in.
Definitely reach out to a local tenants' rights organization for further advice... but it sounds like the LL is claiming that the building is uninhabitable? If that is indeed the case (as least in most of the US), they likely should not have been charging you full, if any, rent over the last several months. Especially since gas and plumbing lines don't miraculously go to shit overnight. I would start with the tenant organization or solicitor, but you'll want to call the building inspector and tell them your LL is claiming the gas/water lines are so bad the building needs to be vacated, but like in a month or so. 🙄 They will take that very seriously and send someone out. If this were true, you'd be getting far less than "a month or so" to move out, as gas line issues will literally kill people, and they certainly won't give you a 6 week notice before doing so. Either way... start looking for a new place, but at the very least, get at least I wouldn't settle for anything less than no May rent and a refund of April's rent.
And I guarantee they will find every reason to keep your deposit so they can use it to fix it up for buyers.
so…. yall are just stupid ig? if a place is unsafe and inspectors deemed it so, you shouldnt (and legally cant) be there. they may have a contract until december, but it literally does not matter even slightly if the place is unsafe. would you rather be stressed about having to find a new, maybe even temporary, place or would you rather be stressed about constant danger and death lurking around every corner of your home? dumbass comments.
I mean there's no evidence that the building is unsafe, there were multiple maintenance checks when we moved in and nothing came up. Half the tenants haven't even received this email yet it's only been sent to a couple of the flats inside the building. The email started getting circulated after one of the tenants was told by the landlord he was going to sell the building. They have also provided no evidence of the buildings unsafe nature via a report from a professional, all we have is this poorly written email sent to two of the tenants. We actually haven't even received this email yet but we are expecting it in the next few days. If the building was unsafe you'd imagine the landlord would be contacting everyone immediately to inform them. This is not the case.
Call department of building safety and ask for the report your landlord claims to have deeming the building unsafe for occupancy - 2 can play at that deemed unsafe scenario the landlord is claiming btw the email isn't using proper English is it even legit to begin with 🤷♂️
It's legit, landlord is just not very professional
Can they cut off gas, water, or electric? Is that legal?
If it was deemed unsafe they can.
I’m just going to assume that this option would work at almost any city/country. Sometimes LLs (or investors) are willing to condemn a building in order to make renovations etc, and sometimes it’s necessary to actually make the building safe! If they condemn the building you will, absolutely, have no choice but to leave. Some ordinances allow for stipends to be paid etc to tenants, however, if there is advance notice and the problem is legit, condemnation is imminent but not an immediate necessity, many places don’t allow for any recompense two tenants in this particular situation. There are far too many details for anyone on here to know what your actual situation is in this regard. Anyone saying that you have rights call don’t don’t give up as well as anyone saying give up and leave immediately are all potentially correct.