SMF - Just Installed!

Witholding last months rent?

Started by Bibliotaph, July 17, 2024, 06:48:55 AM

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Bibliotaph

Hello LL's, I'm the tenant in question.
My LL has sold house (stc).
I have found another house through EA after extensive searching and enquiries, it's not my first choice for location but I would rather this than having to go through the whole council thing, both for the sake of me and my children and the LL having to go through the eviction process.
I'm probably going to get shot for this but the only way I can get out now to avoid the delay in house sale is to ask that LL keeps my deposit ( not protected) and I ask to keep the last months rent to help me pay towards new home. I have kept the house immaculate and it's in the same if not better condition than when I moved in, given these circumstance how would you react as a LL to this request? Thank-you, I'll get my coat!

heavykarma

I would snatch your hand off, and thank my lucky stars that you have not decided to sue me for non- protection of deposit.  If he does not agree, you can remind him of this (blackmail is an ugly word)

Hippogriff

It's not the accepted way of doing things, of course. But it's pragmatic... and reasonable. As a Landlord (if I ever found myself in this situation) I would also go with it. It seems like a genuine quid-pro-quo.

jpkeates

It would be an idiot landlord who didn't agree. But a landlord who doesn't protect your deposit is obviously an idiot.

Two things to have in mind while negotiating, if your landlord served a section 21 notice while the deposit wasn't protected, it's completely invalid and you can sue your landlord for the failure to protect it any time up to six years from when it should be protected, whether or not it's been returned (or used for rent).