LostInPeckham Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 hi!I need some help with the legalites of renting please.I have found a 2 bed in QR Peckham and was looking forward to moving in in a couple of weeks.I'd agreed with the landlady the rent, deposit and length of stay and we'd got as far as the contract but stupidly hadn't signed it.I've not yet paid her anything and she's now said she can't rent it to me. What is there I can do? if anything?It's taken ages to find somewhere. Is this not a verbal agreement, and is it not binding? Or is it only when money has been paid and the paperwork signed.? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally Eva Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 well yes, a verbal agreement is binding but do you really want to insist on having a landlady who doesn't want you?you surely aren't thinking of going to court? She can just deny it. Then it would obviously be her word against yours -- and you would be spending lots of money on court fees even if you didn't pay a lawyer. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194271 Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlonaM Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 The charity Shelter has a lot of info on their website (just make sure you're looking at English law section rather than Scottish!). They also have a helpline for advice via phone/online:https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194334 Share on other sites More sharing options...
red devil Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I know it's a pain but best to forget and find yourself another flat. A legal case could take ages and be costly, and if you won she would probably activate the break clause at first opportunity, e.g. after 6 months, and you'd be back to square one again... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidKruger Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 landlady has probably found someone willing to pay more - or agreed higher rent with existing tenants, probably feels she can't tell you that so has flicked you off. sounds terrible though, what an uneccessary amount of stress ! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194571 Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbin Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Very annoying, but I suggest you put it behind you. An oral tenancy is possible, but if there's an argument that there was never an unequivocal meeting of minds and final agreement (which the original intention to reduce the agreement to writing suggests), or no consideration provided, then its not worth the aggro or expense. Count it as a lucky escape from the clutches of a potentially troublesome and untrustworthy landlord. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194658 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnL Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 rent gazumpinghttp://www.propertyindustryeye.com/high-street-lettings-agents-enabling-gazumping-in-the-rental-sector/http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3310784 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194679 Share on other sites More sharing options...
red devil Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 That cuts both ways though, a tenant could just as easily agree to rent one property and then later decide to rent another one... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194682 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nxjen Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 As the OP hadn?t signed the agreement or paid a deposit, I?m wondering how long it was between the ?verbal agreement? and the landlady changing her mind. To secure a tenancy, these matters have to be attended to with all speed, otherwise it could give the impression of being an unreliable tenant. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/173625-help-with-tenancy-agreement/#findComment-1194692 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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