A housing advice column for all your renting problems from VICE UK columnist Vicky Spratt. Got a burning question? Email lifeforrent@vice.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sadly, properties are still being advertised online and landlords are still trying to twist their tenants’ arms. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with this on top of everything else. I’m an optimist by nature, but it’s impossible to understate how shit all of this is. It would be amazing to be able to tell you that this is all going to be absolutely fine no matter what happens, but honestly I’m just not sure it will be – not for a while, anyway.Your landlord knows this too. They know the economy is tanking (it’s too soon to say how badly). They’re worried that you might not be able to pay your rent and all too aware that, right now, there’s nothing they can do about it because the government has banned them from evicting you. They’re annoyed because they want tenants who are paying full whack so they can cover their buy-to-let mortgage (and/or the cost of their retirement villa in Spain).
Advertisement
Housing is about human relationships. That’s why it’s such a thorny area of politics, policy and legislation. We forget too easily that many landlords don’t have an income without their tenants. So you’re in a stronger position than you think. You have more power than you realise, especially right now with everyone is facing uncertainty. Your landlord won’t replace you easily. Their best bet is to hold tight and stick with you – good tenants who pay their rent. On some level, they know this. Any agent worth their salt would tell them the same right now.Plus, if the landlord wants you to leave so they can let the property to someone else, they’d have to evict you using a formal procedure involving court action. But the government has currently suspended evictions until the end of June and this could be extended by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.It’s actually in your landlord’s interest to work with you. Now, all you need to do is make it seem like letting you sort this out was their idea. Imagine you're trying to get your dad to do something he doesn’t want to do, draft an email, hit send, sit back and think of England.Good luck. Godspeed. And, if things worsen, remember that you can contact Shelter directly for emergency help.@victoria_spratt