Question
Lease advice...What can I do...?
I'm 23 currently living alone in a terraced house with 2 bedrooms. I had been getting housing benefit since I lost my job and it almost covered the whole £425 rent that is required. Recently however (unknown to myself as I'm not an expert on the benefits system) I had a small break in my JSA claim and this has seriously messed things up, not only has it put me 2 months in arrears (i asked for back dating they refused) but also because the way in which the system works has changed recently I am now only eligable for a maximum of £60 a week, which leaves me in an incredablly difficult situation, ideally I want to move out but my agency won't let me until I've paid off my arrears, I'm only earning £200 a month, how the hell am I gonna afford this? there must be some help I can get regarding this mess I find myself in.
4 months ago - 2 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
The agency cannot stop you from moving out. You have not said whether you are in the middle of a fixed term contract or whether you have a monthly agreement. If you are on a monthly agreement you can give a month's notice and leave. If you are in the middle of a fixed term but you are now unable to pay they should also let you leave. You would be in breach of your contract, but they have a legal duty to mitigate their loss - which means getting you out and finding another paying tenant. Either way, they could technically sue you for the arrears, but in practice it simply won't be worth their while to do that, especially as no court will enforce judgement against someone on benefits and unable to pay.
by SimonC
4 months ago
Asker's Rating: 