Homeless Because Landlord Is Incapacitated

[cummingsea]

I was supposed to move into a new apartment today, however my new landlord has apparently collapsed and in the hospital. I have paid him a holding fee and security deposit. Today we were supposed to meet to pay the first months rent and obtain the keys. I have only spoken to a neighbor who told me what had happened. He is unreachable and I am homeless. The only phone number I have is his personal number and he does not have any next of kin or anyone to take over. I do not know how long he will be incapacitated for and now I have no where to live or to store my furniture. I am looking for any help or advice on how I should handle this.

[Mamyalynne]

Difficult to know what to advise.

Try contacting Shelter in the morning for advice.


http://england.shelter.org.uk/what_we_do/contact_us

[Buenchico]

Phone the hospital (or phone round all of the likely hospitals if you're not sure which one he's in) and ask if he can have visitors. If they say 'Yes' go and see him. (Take him some magazines to read or some other small gift). He'll probably be able to either give you the keys or tell you how you can het hold of them.

If the hospital say that he can't have any visitors, try explaining your situation to them. If he's conscious they might make an exception for you.

If you can't get the keys but you've already signed a tenancy agreement then you've got the right to access the property. Contact the police to let them know what you're doing (so there are no misunderstandings) and then break into the property. The cost of (for example) replacing a broken window and changing a lock is likely to be far less than the cost of staying in a hotel (and storing your furniture in a warehouse) for an unspecified length of time.