Updating post from Reddit.
I'm a tenant. I've arranged for a move tomorrow on the 15th. I've paid the moving company and all the necessary expenses and was told the flat is mine. Just got the call 24 hours before the move that they gave the flat back to an old tenant. I'm currently in shock because the place I'm staying at is unsafe for me and I have to move.If anyone has any advice or a flat available in London it would be greatly appreciated as I have nowhere to go now
your post is lacking essential information
deposit paid
rent paid
contract signed
No I haven't paid anything yet or signed the contract as we arranged to do that on the day of the move
Without a contract signed, you have no evidence that the other party has any obligations towards you.
Granted, in theory, verbal agreements are binding, too, but in practice they are very difficult to prove and enforce.
you really don't have much ground at this point, sorry. you'd better spend your time looking for alternative accommodation
Massive rookie error. Until they took your money, the property wasn't yours.
Without either a signed contract or deposit/rent paid, you never had a tenancy contract, you were still in "negotiations" and shouldn't have made any arrangements. You have no option but to stay out and you'll be out of pocket on moving costs.
If nothing was paid or signed, I’m sorry but then the tenancy is not yours.
Agents/landlords should have asked for deposit/first month rent and signed a contract prior to a moving date.
Have you gone through an agency? If so, contact them.
Try spareroom.co.uk to get out of your current living situation quickly while you look for somewhere else.
As others have said, there isn’t really anything you can do right now.
Practically speaking, I would rearrange the moving van to deliver your stuff to a self storage lock up place (there are loads).
And then find somewhere to sleep tomorrow (friends, family, airbnb, spare room)
Have you signed your tenancy agreement? Did you pay your security deposit and was it protected? Did you pay your first month’s rent upfront?
Nothing was paid or signed yet. Everything was going to be done on the day of the move
Then unfortunately you’re out of luck I think. Everything should be signed and paid well in advance (generally a few weeks at least), doing everything on the day is a recipe for disaster. Chalk this one up to experience, you’ll find something better soon — tbh you’ve probably avoided a massive red flag if they’re willing to do this!
I've done the same with a previous flat I moved to so I genuinely thought it was okay
After you view a property, you usually pay a holding deposit (one week’s rent) to take it off the market whilst checks go through — once you sign a contract, pay the full deposit (five weeks’ rent) and first month’s rent, this legally secures the property as yours for the duration of the tenancy. If this doesn’t happen then it’s just a gentleman’s agreement, nothing legally binding
why on earth did you not do this earlier or ask them?
Seems very odd that you were promised the flat without signing or paying anything. Hard to believe an agent or landlord would work like that.
It's London so it fully doesn't surprise me. So many 'landlords' rent out properties illegally 🤷
hah, right?
a deal is not done until it's not done
Why would you pay moving company before having the contract paid for and signed. Every tenancy in UK requires first payment prior to moving in to my understanding.
yes, at least the deposit paid, and first month rent on move in date is possible but there needs to be at least some money paid. Because otherwise, the tenant could do a runner and the landlord would be having a void period, with no cover because no money was paid.
Oof just seen that you never paid a deposit or signed a contract. Not much you can really do.
Did they ever say in writing confirming you would be renting the property?
They did
Okay, then your ex partner is also equally liable. She is also responsible for the rent and potential early lease termination fee.
If you have a tenancy agreement signed by both yourself and landlord then you have a tenancy and you can move in. In this scenario the landlord is in big trouble.
Often such agreements are not signed until the actual moving in date because as in your situation the existing tenant might just remain in the property.
Do you have a tenancy agreement signed by both yourself and the landlord?
no signed tenancy and no deposite or rent paid , so appears OP don't have a tenancy on the face of it.
Agents are not useful to use. All scam. Better join the landlord’s association to mug up on latest legislation, use their helpline and use Openrent.
Call Shelter’s hotline 0808 800 4444 for advice on emergency housing. As others have said, if you need to move out tomorrow then ask the moving company if they can either store it at their place for a few days or take it to a storage company.