Jess had three months to move out of her rental after giving notice. What she did next left her landlord fuming
Renter Jess had informed her landlord in March that she was going to move out of the home 12 weeks from the date on the email.
But in the days leading up to her move-out date, her landlord sent her three reminders - only to receive no response from Jess.
He sent another follow-up email the day before her move-out date.
'Morning Jess. Just checking in, when can I collect the keys today? New tenants are moving in tomorrow and I've got cleaners booked for this afternoon,' he said.
'Also, I've emailed a few times this week asking for confirmation. The move-out date's been agreed since March. I really need to know where things stand.'
However, things didn't go to plan when she finally replied to his email.
'Hey, yeah sorry, meant to message. Things have been really hectic and I haven't had time to get everything sorted. Is there any chance I can have a few extra days? I'm just really overwhelmed right now,' she explained in the email.
A tenant has sparked a dispute with her landlord after refusing to vacate the property, despite receiving a three-month notice to find a new home
However, the landlord refused to extend her stay.
'Jess, the tenancy ends today. You confirmed in writing on 4th April that you'd be vacating by the 22nd. I've sent three reminders this week with no reply,' he replied.
'I've signed the next tenant and given them a key collection time. The flat needs to be empty and cleaned today. There's no flexibility on this.'
Seeking sympathy, Jess struggled to understand why her landlord wouldn't allow her to stay a little longer.
'I just think it's a bit unfair. I've been a decent tenant, never missed rent. Now I'm asking for two more days and you're acting like I've done something wrong,' she said.
'It's not like I'm refusing to leave. I just need until the weekend. Don't understand why you're being like this.'
The landlord then threatened Jess with a negative tenancy reference if she fails to move out on her vacating day.
'Because this isn't how tenancies work. You don't get to extend your stay on the day you're meant to be out. I've got a legally binding agreement. The new tenant is in a chain. You staying longer disrupts everything,' he explained.
'If you delay this move, I'll have to flag it when asked for a reference.'
Struggling to understand the landlord's explanation, Jess responded: 'Wow. So that's how it is then. After everything, you're threatening to ruin my next tenancy because I'm struggling?
'You know what, forget it, you can come get the keys when I'm ready. I'm not rushing because you made plans without checking with me,' she continued.
The landlord replied: 'Look Jess, I sympathise with your situation, but you've had months to prepare for today. I cannot extend your tenancy. It's time to move on.'
Refusing to back down, Jess ended the email with: 'I said I'll leave when I'm ready. If they're in a rush, that's not my problem.'
It's unclear what happened next between the tenant and landlord - but British property strategist Jack Rooke re-shared the pair's heated email exchange.
Jack suggested he was on the landlord's side because he thought Jess was given a reasonable amount of time to move out.
'She had three months to move out… Then said she'd leave when she's ready. Is this tenant reasonable or just entitled?' Jack said.
His video has been viewed more than 100,000 times with many divided over the situation.
'The landlord should not give a date for a new tenant to move in until the previous tenant is out. Poor planning by the landlord,' one said.
'Jess is wrong, but the landlord isn't being smart either. He's left zero room for error and that's on him,' another suggested.
'I'm usually pro tenant but I am having a hard time backing the tenant. It is a business transaction and there was an agreement in place and Jess broke the agreement. Usually people have to be out at midnight,' one shared.
'Wow Jess is completely in the wrong here. You have handed notice regardless of the situation - you HAVE to be out by the date stated. I do think however having a new tenant move in literally the day after is a bit crazy,' another added.
LANDLORD: Morning Jess. Just checking in, when can I collect the keys today? New tenants are moving in tomorrow and I've got cleaners booked for this afternoon
Also, I've emailed a few times this week asking for confirmation. The move-out date's been agreed since March. I really need to know where things stand.
TENANT JESS: Hey, yeah sorry, meant to message. Things have been really hectic and I haven't had time to get everything sorted. Is there any chance I can have a few extra days? I'm just really overwhelmed right now.
LANDLORD: Jess, the tenancy ends today. You confirmed in writing on 4th April that you'd be vacating by the 22nd. I've sent three reminders this week with no reply.
I've signed the next tenant and given them a key collection time. The flat needs to be empty and cleaned today. There's no flexibility on this.
TENANT JESS: I just think it's a bit unfair. I've been a decent tenant, never missed rent. Now I'm asking for two more days and you're acting like I've done something wrong.
It's not like I'm refusing to leave. I just need until the weekend. Don't understand why you're being like this.
LANDLORD: Because this isn't how tenancies work. You don't get to extend your stay on the day you're meant to be out. I've got a legally binding agreement. The new tenant is in a chain. You staying longer disrupts everything.
If you delay this move, I'll have to flag it when asked for a reference.
TENANT JESS: Wow. So that's how it is then. After everything, you're threatening to ruin my next tenancy because I'm struggling?
You know what, forget it, you can come get the keys when I'm ready. I'm not rushing because you made plans without checking with me.
LANDLORD: Look Jess, I sympathise with your situation, but you've had months to prepare for today. I cannot extend your tenancy. It's time to move on.
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