Jessica's Story

Jessica rented privately with her 5 year old son and approached The Bridge for Housing Advice after she had received a notice giving her two months to leave her house. Due to housing availability and tenancy start dates, she realised there was going to be a 3 week period between tenancies where they would be left homeless.

Despite having always paid rent on time and to date, and having not violated any rules within her tenancy agreement, the private landlord was still within their right to serve notice. However, notice can only be served if:

• Worded correctly; and,

• The deposit had been registered with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme; and,

• If Jessica was initially given all the information about the deposit.

Jessica provided the Specialist Housing Advisor (SHA) with the relevant documents to discover the above requirements had not been met which meant Jessica would have a defence to any court proceedings.

The SHA acted on behalf of Jessica and discussed this with the private landlords’ agent. The agent insisted the relevant documents about the deposit had been sent but Jessica advised that this was not the case. After a period of discussions, the estate agents said the landlord would not issue court proceedings and over the additional three weeks Jessica remained in the property, avoiding homelessness for herself and 5 year old son.

In addition to Jessica’s tenancy dispute, the SHA applied to a charity, who paid her new homes’ deposit directly to Jessica’s new landlord as she was unable to afford the £300.

Jessica and her son are now happy in their new home.