The contract on our flat expires next Saturday, but we told our landlord that we planned to move out today as we won't have time during the week, therefore it should be OK for him to do repairs next week. The repairs he wants to do includes thing like replacing the bathroom suite, decorating, etc. We said we would keep in touch about what's happening and let him know when we had vacated the property.

We arranged for a relative to bring his Land Rover to move all our stuff today, but this morning we received a phone call to say that his wife had unexpectedly gone into labour and he couldn't come. There were serious complications and we've all spent the whole day at the hospital pacing up and down the hall (the baby seems to have pulled through btw). So obviously we've been unable to move out today, the person with the Land Rover said he's at work all week but will help us to move our stuff a bit at a time in the evenings so we can still be out by the end of our contract on Saturday.

When I came out of the hospital I had texts and missed phonecalls from my landlord. The first text said he was coming round to the flat to let himself in, even though we hadn't informed him that we'd moved out. I replied to say he couldn't let himself in as we hadn't been able to move out as planned, and received a very snotty message saying what happened to moving out today and why didn't I call him if my plans had changed? He asked if he could come round tonight to get my written permission to do repairs next week. I replied to explain the unexpected situation that had arisen, and said that because of that we've been unable to move out today, so obviously he can't come round next week and remove the bath and do repairs etc because we're still living here. I apologised for the inconvenience, but said that these things happen and we'll still be out by the end of our contract on Saturday.

He's not best pleased to say the least, but I think I'm within my rights to stay until Saturday even though I said I was planning to move out today. What are my rights in this situation? I did say he could do repairs next week as we planned to be moved out by then, but I didn't sign anything, and unexpected events meant I couldn't move as planned, so obviously I can't allow my landlord to remove the bath etc until I've moved out.

If your contract expires next saturday then you are entitled to stay until then if you like. I hope you havent paid for this week when the landlords going to be doing all the work?

If he continues to be arsey advisie him that you wont be allowing entry until next saturday full stop. Make sure you take lots of photos of the good condition your leaving the property in before any work starts.

Well I've paid the rent until Saturday, but I was planning to move out today while someone with a Land Rover was available to move my stuff, and then come round in the evenings next week to clean the windows and wash the cupboards and carpets etc, so it's spick and span for the final inspection. I wouldn't have minded the landlord coming in to do repairs etc during that week while I was cleaning the place out. But due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to move today, so I can't allow my landlord access as promised to remove the bath and do other repairs.

Not being able to move out today is inconvenient for me too, because now I'll have to move a bit at a time every evening this week, and come round and clean the place out on Friday night when I wanted to be down the pub. My landlord is kicking up a fuss though, because he says I told him he could do repairs this week - which I did, on the understanding that I would be moving out today. I was unable to move out today, so I've refused to allow him to remove the bath on Tuesday because I'm still living here and I'd be unable to get showered, and he's getting annoyed because he says I promised he could do it.

An unfortunate situation but one that happens all the time. The landlord should have realised this and not made so many assumptions. I would think that the best solution all round would be for the landlord to arrange for a vehicle to help you move. It won't cost him much; he won't have to cancel the building work; you can move house without hassle; your relative can focus on looking after his wife. Seems the sensible solution to me.

How much does it cost to hire a Tranny van for a day or two? £50-70ish? This really should be a non-problem for the LL.

If I've understood you correctly, you agreed, out of nothing but kindness and goodwill, to help him by allowing him to do the repairs before your lease expires, even though you've paid the full lease and are under no obligation to do so. You've had an unforseen and traumatic experience invloving a trip to the hospital which has changed these plans. And as a result the landlord is getting arsey, rather than putting his hand in his pocket to help you move.

Is that right? If so, I'd tell him to go ****** himself.

And of course, if come next Saturday and you don't move out, all you will owe him for is extra rent - and he'll have to go to court to get rid of you... which will take him a couple of months.