Well, it’s happened. The news we’d all been dreading has arrived: I’ve been served a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notice. Our current landlord, Expertnest Homes Ltd, is selling the house “with vacant possession.” Expertnest Homes Ltd bought the property from our original private landlord, Andrew Humberstone. At that point, management of the property passed from New Mills Properties to Letsand Property.
End Result….It means all six of us – Kris, Mark, Ryan (the new guy), Graham, Matty, and myself, Karl – have to be out by July 21st.
It’s safe to say, this isn’t good. Not good at all.
This isn’t just four walls and a roof; it’s been our shared space, even if it’s been a bit of a fixer-upper (to put it mildly). I’ve called this place home for the last six years, and most of the others have been here for at least five. We were originally vetted by our first private landlord, Andrew Humberstone, who took the time to ensure we’d all get on – and we did, building a real community here. That’s a huge chunk of our lives spent under this roof.
Through all the changes in ownership and management, the house itself has slowly fallen apart around us. Let’s be honest, this house is a bit of a dump. It’s run down, things are constantly breaking, and we’ve often wondered if any of the landlords or agents truly remembered we lived here, let alone that the place needed some serious TLC. Ryan, for example, has been battling bad mould in his room for years, a constant reminder of the neglect. Despite its flaws and the constant battles with dodgy plumbing, leaky roofs, and persistent mould, it’s been our home, our shared chaotic space, and now, suddenly, that’s all being ripped away.
The thought of having to pack up our entire lives and find somewhere new in such a short timeframe is incredibly daunting for all of us, especially after so many years of being settled. We’re now facing the stressful and exhausting prospect of house hunting in what feels like an increasingly difficult rental market. Trying to find a place that could accommodate six people, or even splitting us all up into smaller, affordable options, feels like a monumental task. The uncertainty is the hardest part – where will we go? Will we find somewhere decent and affordable after being here for so long?
For anyone else who’s been through this, or is currently facing a similar situation, you’ll know the knot-in-your-stomach feeling that comes with it. It’s a stark reminder of the precarious nature of renting, especially when you’re in a less-than-ideal property and suddenly find yourselves homeless through no fault of your own, despite years of tenancy and living with neglected issues like persistent mould, all while ownership changes hands.
For now, our focus shifts entirely to figuring out our next steps. We’ll be researching our rights as tenants, looking into available properties, and trying to navigate this unexpected upheaval as best we can, together.
Wish us luck – we’re going to need it!
