Landlord insisting on rent paid in cash?

scottishblondie

my friends used to rent from a guy who insisted on the rent in cash, he also had multiple properties and was a serial dodgy landlord. he wanted cash because the property had no HMO licence and no gas certificate, and presummably because cash allowed him to bypass paying tax on his income! while it is strictly legal, i can't see why any legitimate landlord would have a problem with a cheque or standing order.

Bufger

you need a paper trail as already mentioned. If he does insist on cash and you think hes a good landlord for you then get a signed reciept that shows the amount paid, whom from and whom to and on what date. Without a clear paper trail you could have trouble in court if he ever decided he didnt like you and wanted you out for 'rent arrears'. You have no protection at the moment so cover your back and create a paper trail!

bryanb

theartfullodger wrote: »

bryanb asks...
The huge advantage of a cheque (or SO/DD or Bank transfer) is that there is nice, hard, documented evidence of who paid wot to whom, that you can then present to HMRC (eg - tax return) or the courts (eg - suing tenants for arrears) or whoever. Cash, whilst strictly legal, stinks of someone on the fiddle... but you knew that eh Bryan??? Methinks he doth ask the question too readily... how's the violin???

Cheers!

Lodger

Of course I knew that, look back to post 4. You'll see I suggested insisting on a written receipt.
PS I am sadly lacking in musical talent.

trrk

Thanks again everyone for the advice!

We have a receipt for the initial deposit paid but unfortunately we don't have a receipt for the rent paid (but will start insisting on it). I'm just hoping we don't have any problems getting our deposit back at the end of the tenancy.

He is definately very insistent on us paying by cash. I've suggested cheques or bank transfer (my preffered method) multiple times but he flat out refuses.

jayss

How are you paying it? Is he coming round every month to collect it?
Do you have a rent book.

Will your contents insurence cover you for the amount of cash you have to leave in the house if you had a break in?

Having to go to the atm to withdraw large amounts, in multiple visits is hardly safe or sensible long term.

What happens when you go on holiday? If you cant be around on rent day? If the atm is out of cash?

Is your deposit properly protected?

It just seems way too inconvient for me and hardly a way to have quiet enjoyment.

benjo

If he insist on cash, send it to him each month, with a letter saying 'please find enclosed £??? cash for one months rent as requested by yourself' (keep a copy) send it via recorded/special delivery. It wouldnt be as good as a receipt, but if he is dodgy and possibly claim you havent paid him - you would at least have 'some evidence' in your favour.

edgex

he's running a tax dodge

multiple properties, with payments in cash
he dosnt want the income to show anywhere under his name



you really really need to protect yourself:
insist on proper receipts, not just a scrawl on a piece of paper
get it in writing from him, dated & signed, that he wants the payments in cash
when your withdrawing the cash, make sure you only draw out whats needed for the rent, so the amount on your statement matches whats on the rent receipt

lazer

I think you's are all way to suspicious,

A simple reason why he wants it in cash could be due to the fact that cheques bounce, direct debits can be stopped etc.

Maybe experience has taugh him it is best to collect the rent as cash in advance - guaranteed payment.

That said - as the tenent, insist on a rent book and get it signed when each paymebnt is collected/sent

sandiep

olly300 wrote: »

Sorry a good landlord will not have a problem with a tenant who pays the rent on time giving them a cheque.

They will if they've had a lot of experience with the bouncy rubber variety.

GDB2222

To be frank, even if he's fiddling his tax, it's not your problem. Just make a list of dates/amounts and get him to sign this each time you pay him.