What can my landlord do?

[AtW]

His canine plan is to get a dog and then refuse to pay damages claiming it was cat from previous tenant who did that

[OwlHoot]

I can imagine the weasel trying, but he wont... he just rants from a distance according to the neighbours!!

So, what is the consequence of breaking the rental contract?

If you're applying for a mortgage, won't the mortgage company want a reference from him?

[Diver]

His canine plan is to get a dog and then refuse to pay damages claiming it was cat from previous tenant who did that

I see what you did there

[scooby]

If you're applying for a mortgage, won't the mortgage company want a reference from him?

They've not asked, although there is still time i assume...

AIUI further, he can only seek possession for breach of conditions once he's issued notice. As of Wednesday next week, I'll be in notice anyway, he is that type (i.e. came round 3 weeks ago asking if I'd found somewhere to buy, when i said yes, he said he will see me to give me his notice the day before the 2mths...). He likes to be confrontational, and threatens solicitors at every question. However, the blokes wife is fab! She must beat him or something...

This is nothing to do with a self fulling prophecy, I've had experience of him first hand, i.e. waited for us to move in knowing it was the garage that tempted me due to the storage of kayaks and kit etc, then declared said garage unfit the week later, then demolished it. When i raised that this was out of order, he wouldnt even discussing dropping the rent £15pm or providing a shed. Even the estate agent advised him to drop it.

I get that business is business, and this is how I'm treating him, I'm going to make sure I retrieve ALL my money that I'm due. the bit of damage to wallpaper my cat has done has been replaced, the pen on the doors from the sprogs has been painted over, the carpets will be cleaned etc. I've done my bit to ensure fair wear and tear is all that is involved.

I'll see how he is this week, and if he's a cock then I will withhold the last month, if not, I'll pay it... That might be the best bet and as others have said, I'll speak to the kennels re holding on the pup.

[OwlHoot]

His canine plan is to get a dog and then refuse to pay damages claiming it was cat from previous tenant who did that

I see what you did there

With a meercat accent "canine" might sound like "cunning"

[mudskipper]

Possibly too late, but did you take photos on moving in?

Only been in a renting situation once - but a fair bit of the deposit was taken for damage that we didn't do, but which had not been explicitly spelt out the initial inspection.

[scooby]

Possibly too late, but did you take photos on moving in?

Only been in a renting situation once - but a fair bit of the deposit was taken for damage that we didn't do, but which had not been explicitly spelt out the initial inspection.

Yes, and did Landlord due to trying to take previous tenants and agency to court... Which he lost for whatever reason

[northernladuk]

How did you manage to run your life before CUK came along? You Psychocandy and Perm2COntract need to go on a night out IMO.

[Platypus]

AIUI the current situation is that he can't get a possession order until you're two months or more behind on the rent, and he can't evict you without a possession order.

So holding on to the final rent payment won't give him any legal options other than attempting civil recovery through the courts, which wouldn't be worth his while.

The dog thing I don't know about, but he'd still have to get a possession order to throw you out over it and you'd presumably be gone by the time that was sorted out, particularly as the court will probably require him to try to sort the situation out directly before taking up their time.

This ^

Just don't pay the last month's rent. Worst case is he "sues" you and you end up paying it. Big deal. But I think that's unlikely.

As far as I can tell, most landlords treat the deposit as an end of tenancy bonus. Unless an agent is involved, you're unlikely to get it back IMO.

[AtW]

With a meercat accent "canine" might sound like "cunning"

It does in my head