Letter from LL's mortgage company

StudentMoneySaver

The rent is already paid for the coming month so that's not an option and I don't really have any leg to stand on if I did it. edit - I threatened to do that when I had the issues with them last month but I thought better of it and paid up when it was due - they didn't bother to wait until non payment before contacting their solicitor, I only received the letter on the day it was due so it had no baring on my decision.

I'll let you all know what's going on when I find out on Tuesday.

DVardysShadow

poppy10 wrote: »

Prob best to stop paying the rent, although I know I'll get jumped on for saying that.

Not by me. I think the one circumstance where I would advocate withholding rent is exactly this one - where there is reason to believe that a repo is imminent and the LL cannot fulfil the contract. If the deposit is protected,just move to rent in arrears and withholding sufficient money to cover out of pocket expenses.

StudentMoneySaver

So, I called earlier this morning. The man on the phone wouldn't tell me what they wanted me to call them for (Data Protection Act) but he did say something about wanting to know about the tenants.

He asked for my name, a contact phone number, length of my contract (I explained that it was 12 months until the tried to illegal raise my rent and then issued notice), how much rent and (bizarrely) if I was in contact with the Landlord or an agent and a phone number to contact them on.

It has left me even more confused about what is going on, especially considering the questions they asked about the Landlord. Is it possible they've lost track of him and are trying to find out where he is? Strange.

Jowo_2

There is a difference in how the tenancy is treated during a repossession based on whether the lender gave permission to the landlord to let out the property. Therefore perhaps the lender is trying to understand their obligation to you if he did have permission to let it.

The Shelter website has a section on tenants rights during the repossession of the property by the lender, which details the difference between those properties where the lender gave permission for the landlord to let it, and those where they did not. There is probably also a sticky on this subject at the top of the page or a thread on this topic.

StudentMoneySaver

The thing is, I'm not sure if they are repossessing the property or not. No where in the letter or the phone call was it mentioned so I can only assume, until told otherwise, the flat isn't being repossessed.

It does seem very odd that they've decided to contact us like this. If it helps, the mortgage company is called Platform, it seems to be related to the co-operative in some way.

StudentMoneySaver

Does anyone think is it worth calling them back and asking whether they're repossessing or if the tenancy will be affected in anyway (although I only have a matter of weeks left).

surreybased

Hi,

I think it's a good idea to ask about repossession - they might not be able to say 'Yes' but I think you'll guess from their response.

I really wish there was stronger protection for tenants.

StudentMoneySaver

I definitely agree with you there. The entire industry should be regulated more effectively to stop rogues from ruining the experience for tenants and reputable landlords.