A pregnant woman, who was given just three months’ notice to leave her rental property, is calling for more support for tenants.
The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told BBC Guernsey that her lease made no mention of children. In November, after living in the apartment for a year, she was invited by her estate agent to renew her lease. She informed the agent that she was pregnant, but was shocked when she was told she had three months to vacate the property. Despite inquiring about more than 20 available homes, she and her partner have yet to find a new place.
“It’s been very depressing, and we feel down all the time,” she said, expressing frustration with the situation. The couple asked if they could extend the lease but were told “no.”
The couple has reached out to Citizens’ Advice and Sarnia Housing, but were told there were no available homes at the moment. “It has been very hard to enjoy this pregnancy because every time we get turned down, it’s upsetting,” she said. “We want to bring our new baby to a new home, but we have nowhere to go.”
Helena Filipczak, managing director of Elite Property Management Ltd., which is not involved in the couple’s situation, explained that renting to families can be difficult for landlords, as they face challenges without legal protections from the government. “When there’s a conflict between the landlord and the tenant, the landlord is always the first to be judged,” she said, citing issues such as late rent payments and disputes over damages.
However, Filipczak emphasized the importance of compassion and maintaining a positive relationship with tenants. “At the end of the day, we’re all human, and we want others to treat us as we treat them. My goal is to ensure my tenants have a happy stay.”
The States of Guernsey has extended the deadline for its consultation on landlord and tenant rights, but with just a week left, the woman and her partner have yet to secure a new home.
Related Topics:
