Troubles with the landlord regarding electricity meter. Please help us!

Clear_Sky

Premier wrote: »

No.

Whether or not you have a written Tenancy Agreement, by you renting a property from the LL, you have a tenancy agreement and are protected by all the usual rights associated with such.

Seek advice from Shelter or the CAB.

He can ask what he likes, but without the approval of the proposed new account holder, the supplier shouldn't set up an account (unless possibly the supplier has good reason, such as a copy of a signed TA).
Otherwise, we'd all be calling up our suppliers and telling them to put our bills in the name of Mr G. Brown, c/o 10 Downing Street.

Thank you very much for your advice. I searched on England Shelter' website today and we'll contact them tomorrow. There are preciouse information there.

I agree with you. I think it should have been fair to be informed about all these additional lights when we (or my fiance) moved here. I just asked him to be fair. I also think we should contact electricity company because if he declared he is the landlord... he would be in a big trouble because now 'we share this cottage with him'. I am not going to give up. I just want to be treated fair.

Clear_Sky

macman wrote: »

Tell him that unless the harassment stops you will report him to the IR for tax evasion. However since you apparently have no security of tenure it does seem that you are going to have to move out anyway if the property is sold.

I would do that only in an extreme situation. I don't want to cause troubles to anyone and I only want to defend my family. You are perfectly right, we will go to Housing department at the Council and ask their help. There must be a solution for these all troubles we've been through. My son asked me about his X-mas gift. What can I say to him? Our X-mas is ruined.

Clear_Sky

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I wouldn't pin my hopes on a council house - by all means apply, but waiting lists are long and you are unlikely to be deemed to be in priority need.

Your best bet is to look for private rented accommodation elsewhere. If you and your fiance are on a low income, you may be entitled to Local Housing Allowance, so it is worth checking with your local authority.

As I said before contact Shelter as they will tell you your rights and what you can do about this situation.

EDIT: as far as I am aware private landlords do not need a licence to rent out their own property, so I am not sure what you mean by this? Also the landlord is perfectly within his rights to advertise the house for sale. You do not have long term security of tenure.

I mean the electricity system in this cottage is not safe and I took some pictures and the cottage's state is not at living standards because he asked to a specialist to come and check the cottage and he has to spend a lot of money to bring it at basical living standards.

Clear_Sky

You raised this issue in the above thread.

It looks as if he is(for tax purposes) declaring you as a lodger.[/QUOTE]

What I do not understand is why starting 1st december? My fiance has lived here since the end of january or the beggining of February (not even the landlord knows exactly). In this 'guests agreement' we have no right and he has all rights possible. He (or his representative) is allowed to get into the cottage 24 hours a day in all areas. If I am in the bathroom he will be allowed to get in. Where is my right to a private life as Human Rights says? He recorded us when we signed this agreement because he has CCTV in his house. Unbelievable! He said that this 'guests agreement' was not negociable and it must have been signed that day.

4$£&*(£$&*(!

This really angers me when a person tries it on because the people they do it to are not English and the person thinks they can get away with it.

What you need to do is visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Visit http://www.huntscab.org.uk/ and see if you can arrange a meeting with them. They will tell you all your legal rights and help put you in touch with someone to represent you. Just because you may not be 100% sure of UK law does not mean you can be pushed around by this landlord who sounds very unpleasant.

Failing that, have a look around places where the cost of living may be cheaper. Cambridgeshire is relatively expensive compared to neighbouring Lincolnshire (particularly the north of the county - Scun-thorpe (take out the - from that town - this forum thinks I wrote a naughty word if I don't put - in), Grimsby, or nearby in Yorkshire there is Hull), or Nottinghamshire areas. Not the answer you need right now, but it may help you in the longer run.

Good luck.

fiendishly

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I wouldn't pin my hopes on a council house - by all means apply, but waiting lists are long and you are unlikely to be deemed to be in priority need.

I disagree: child under 16 and a notice to quit - depending upon the property they're currently in, they may stand a good chance

Cardew

It would appear you pay £50 a week rent plus presumably £30 a month? which includes water charges.

You presumably have 2 bedrooms as your 13 year old son is living with you?

Much as I sympathise with your plight, I can see the dilemma for the owner. He allowed you to stay in the cottage at a cheap rent on an unofficial arrangement. Your fiance agreed to this arrangement.

I mean the electricity system in this cottage is not safe and I took some pictures and the cottage's state is not at living standards because he asked to a specialist to come and check the cottage and he has to spend a lot of money to bring it at basical living standards.

Unless he is careful he will fall foul of the(sensible) laws to protect tenants and you will then have legal rights to remain in the cottage and he, as you say, can have a court order against him to spend large amounts of money to improve the cottage and you can have protected status as tenants.

At the end of the day, people are allowed to choose who they wish to stay in their property; and he clearly doesn't want to rent the property on a rental agreement.

DVardysShadow

verginicu wrote: »

When my fiance asked him to show him the proof for Council Taxes he said just to pay the money to him because there is no need of proof. I am afraid my fiance has tollerated too many to him and I have to sort all these things out.

Off topic for this board, but really, you need to take advice. Pay this man no more council tax. If he is not paying the council, YOU will be held liable and have to pay again. As you have no reciepts, you will find it difficult to claim the money from him. The only saving grace may be the document you signed about shared occupation, if you have a copy

Now really, you ought to put your problem on to the housing section, like I suggested, because your problem is far bigger than electricity and the people who will see your post on the housing board will be far better able to help.

Clear_Sky

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Off topic for this board, but really, you need to take advice. Pay this man no more council tax. If he is not paying the council, YOU will be held liable and have to pay again. As you have no reciepts, you will find it difficult to claim the money from him. The only saving grace may be the document you signed about shared occupation, if you have a copy

Now really, you ought to put your problem on to the housing section, like I suggested, because your problem is far bigger than electricity and the people who will see your post on the housing board will be far better able to help.

I think 30 pounds a week for Council Taxes it's much money. He came here earlier and asked aboutthe weekly money for rent + Council Taxes because we haven't paid it yet. My fiance is not going to pay this money in cash. He is going to give him a ceque. This might be our proof we pay him 80 pounds a week. He also said to us we haven't paid any rent for living here.
Excuse my English but I am Romanian. My fiance is English. He says that I am the brainy in this family. Thank you very much for your support. I love this country because there are many nice and kind people ready to support the ones in need.

Andy_WSM

I think a lot of people are missing the point here. It sounds like the Op IS already living as a lodger, the Landlord just wants to formalise the situation. £50 a week does NOT rent a cottage, 1 or 2 bedrooms, anywhere in the UK in the normal way, so something is not adding up here. I think if the Op doesn't like the situation, then look elsewhere and see what £50 a week gets them. They might not LIKE the fact that they ARE living in an annexe of his property, but that appears to be the facts. They are not in a separate property so don't have exclusive use of it.

If they want somewhere with separate council tax bills, separate water bills and separate utility meters then I think there is going to be a HUGE reality check needed with regards the cost of living in the UK.