Evicted from my house, can they do this?

I came home from picking up my daughters from nursery today, and I found the door to my house sitting open, and all my stuff lying out in the street. I parked the car and asked what was going on. My landlady was there, and she told me sheâ€™s evicting me! I asked why, but she said â€œPersonal reasonsâ€. I canâ€™t believe this! I tried telling her she canâ€™t just kick me out of my home, but apparently she can!

Iâ€™m now living with mom and my sister. My twin daughters are sleeping in the bed in the spare room. I canâ€™t believe weâ€™ve lost our home, but I donâ€™t know what I can do about it. I'm 6 months pregnant and I'm really stressed out about all this! Is there anything I can do?
Additional Details
I am in the UK.

louise appleyard

hi i moved into my private rented property with my 3 year old daughter just under 2 year ago now i have recently been givin 2 weeks notice by my landlord due to been in 4 weeks of rent arrears. I have not been givin any offical notice or paperwork this is just wat he said 2 me the other day i recently just found out it is illegal for him 2 do this 2 us it has 2 be a mininum of 2month and even then i dont have 2 move out i dont no really wat i should do i am scared of losin mine and my babies home hopefully u can answer my guestion thank you louise appleyard

stanthemansmum

Phone shelter first thing tomorrow morning. Also get in touch with the local council - you have not made yourself intentionally homeless and your landlady is acting illegally. You need to make an appointment with the Homeless Persons Officer. Make it clear you have nowhere to stay and need help. Also talk to the council's private Lettings Officer - he will tell you what rights you have. If you paid this woman a deposit, has she protected it? If you have no paperwork from one of the official deposit protection firms, liklihood she hasn't so you should take her to court and get your money back - the court will order her to pay you three times the deposit. The council will also want proof from her that gas safety checks have been carried out. This landlord could regret the day she tried to pull a stunt like this. There is a chance she could end up in prison.

But all this comes later. Get yourself an interview with the Homeless persons officer at the council and talk to Shelter as soon as possible.

sharon

Do you have a lease? If you have no lease or rental agreement I don't think it is illegal for her to terminate whenever she pleases. Not entirely sure though.

AL G

It all depends on the law, you don't say where you are so impossible to answer I'm afraid

EDIT:
It all depends on the terms of your lease, take your lease to the Citizens advice bureau and have a word with them. If your lease says she doesn't need to give you notice than I'm afraid there's not much that can be done, however, a reasonable amount of notice would have been the professional thing to do on her part.

Some good information here, Good luck
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/home_and_neighbourhood_index_ew.htm

howard

depends,av u kept up ur side ov the contract?
technically no she cant it is illegal if uv had no warning notices and the term of the contract hasn't ended

Alex

No! Unless:

1) she gave you warnings that you were going to be evicted and why, and you refused to leave or move out before that time.
2) the police have come and posted an eviction notices on your door.
3) you did not show up to the court proceedings for your eviction hearing.

If she did not do the following then no she can not just kick you our for "personal reason" and I suggest calling the authorities and fair housing in your aria.

If she did do the following, then yes she was with in her rights that is what an eviction is... a court order for you to leave her property, and although you may have not realized today was the day, she did give you notice.

Good luck!

Kris L

I thought there had to be at least 2 weeks notice unless you've not been paying rent.

Doethineb

Your landlord can't simply put you on the street without notice and without reason.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/LettingYourHome/DG_4001391
From the facts given, you probably have a right to bring an action for damages under the Housing Act 1988 for unlawful eviction. http://www.letlink.co.uk/letting-statutes/statutes/protection-from-eviction-act-1977.html
Meanwhile, you should apply to your local authority as a person who has been rendered homeless to be provided with accommodation. http://www.compactlaw.co.uk/free-legal-information/public-housing/homeless-people.html

Adam C

I'd phone up Citizens Advice Bureau.
Find it in the phone book, they'll ask you questions and tell you where you stand.

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