UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi, I'll try and keep this short, but its a long story :-)

Before Christmas my wife and I went to view a house, she is disabled so we had seen quite a few and were being quite fussy, found a perfect house, downstairs toilet, bathroom for me and a more than adequate shower room for my wife who cannot use a bath. it seemed perfect.

We were shown round by an agency, she assured me that even though it was a sixth month tenancy, this was a long term let and she said she could see us "settling" in the house for years to come, as it is only round the corner from my kids schools that was the clincher.

I asked if I could have the keys early to redecorate. they said yes if I paid extra money up-front, this was no problem, I paid a large bond and three months rent on the 24th December 2012 using my visa debit card, and signed a six month tenancy to begin on the 5th January 2013. this gave me 12 days of access to the house, I redecorated, fitted a new carpet, bought a new fire, the place looked amazing, when I brought my wife round to show her she was so happy.

We moved in on the 5th as planned, the first thing I noticed was that the extractor in the bathroom was broken and so was the shower in the shower room, this was a major problem as my wife really needs the use of the shower. i contacted the agency  who put the owner of the house in touch with me, who has so far refused to fix either.

THE KILLER BLOW......

On the 7th January 2013, just two days after we moved in, I recieved a knock on the door, it was an estate agents, they had brought a potential buyer round to view the house!!! I was to say the least a little stunned. Having contacted the letting agency, they "swear" they did not know it was on sale, having contacted the owner, he "swears" that he told the agency to make it clear that the property was up for sale.

After a little investigating, I have discovered the house has been up for sale since last november, I can't believe they agreed to a deal where I could have the keys early so i could redecorate and carpet a home that they are selling!! i've probably added to its selling appeal by a couple of grand!

Now I have very little money left, a house that I am in "limbo" in and a shower that doesn't work which means my wife has to take a bus to my mums house every day to have a shower!

I know I was stupid and I know I should have double checked everything, I feel a complete idiot and have let my family down big time, does anyone out there have any advice on what my next move should be,.

If you have got to the end of this post, thanks so much for reading it!!

Hello Bleazy,

If you can prove the things SAID by the agent then you have an opportunity for damages and / or recission of contract following fraudulent mis-representation by the agent.  I'd speamk to a solicitor in one of those then miute free chats they do to see if you have a case.

Hope this helps, please let us know how you get on.