NCI visit for mortgage arrears for Landlord help

mummy2one_2

Not sure if anyone could put my mind at ease just had a hand delivered letter through the door I opened it first then read that it was addressed to the landlord, anyway, it says that someone from nci have called to discuss the arrears on his mortgage, no one was in so to call back and arrange a convenient time.

I'm worried as we've always paid our rent on time, and are now worried how much in arrears he is and how close to repossession he may be - he works abroad and not very comfortable about discussing this with him tbh as really we shouldn't have opened the letter I guess, it says if no-one rings to re-arrange then the rep will call again in 2 days. Worried

dancingfairy

To be honest - it's good that you opened the letter - at least you know there is potentially a problem and it obviously wasn't deliberate.
Did you go through an agent? if so you probably should have a chat with them.
It might be worth giving Shelter or National Debtline a ring but sadly I think tenants have very little rights in these circumstances
df

mummy2one_2

Hi, thanks for that, no we don't go through an agent, we're renting it through him privately (we pay the rent direct to his bank account each month) not even sure if his mortgage co. know that he's renting it (surely if they did then nci wouldn't come to the house?) and don't really know how we'd find that out.

We also had a visit at the end of last year from HMRC, we didn't hear them knock and just happened to look out of the living room window to notice a lady taking down our car registration no! we went out to see and she advised us that they were looking for him for unpaid tax

dancingfairy

I really hope there is something you can do. If the agents come back it may be worth explaining the situation to them and hoping that you will get some unofficial warning of what's happening and when. You could also write to them and state that you are renting from mr x,y,z and hope that they will have some sympathy with your situation.
I think that you may well need to be looking at moving I also don't know how quickly or not the house would be repossessed - it could be quickly or it could drag on for months if people's tales on the bankruptcy board are to go by (although theirs may well be complicated by bankruptcy).
I honestly hope there is some good news for you but as far as I am aware this is not an ideal situation for you and can't really think of a good way to say it - sorry. That's why I think you need some professional advice.
df

SouthCoast

From Shelter:

Your landlord's lender may try to repossess the property you are renting if your landlord does not keep up with their mortgage payments. If this happens, you may have some protection from eviction if your tenancy is binding on the landlord's lender. If not, your options will be more limited.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repossession/repossession_by_a_landlords_lender

mummy2one_2

Thank you for that info, I don't believe that the lender knows the landlord is renting the house out and we have an ongoing month by month tenancy so think our options will be pretty limited if things are to proceed further.

dancingfairy

I don't know if there is a way to find out thorugh the courts if there has been court papers issued? I am presuming it has not got to this stage but a bailiff at the courts may be able to say -yes we have a order for this property or no we don't. Presumably it has not gone to court yet from the info provided on Shelters website and what you've said.
I guess for peace of mind you will need to be looking at moving out?
Best of luck with it all - it sounds like a nightmare and I hope you get it sorted - even if it does mean moving to give yourselves peace of mind.
df

mummy2one_2

Thanks dancingfairy. I don't think it's gone that far yet, I called the man who visited who took our information - he seemed a little surprised that the house was rented out and was surprised as to where any mail had been going, as we don't get any for the landlord presumably he has a forwarding redirection via the PO - am downloading the council's re-housing application as we speak so we're at least registered with them should the worst happen and have placed a few wanted ads.

I know you can run experian type reports on yourself, wondering if it's illegal to do it on someone else to find out if there's any information on there

RAS

Hi

You need to go over to the housing forum as there is a sticky explaining how to check if your landlord has permisison to rent out.

Do you have a gas safety certificate?

Is your deposit registered properly?

mummy2one_2

Hi RAS, thanks for that info, I didn't know about that I'll pop over and have a look for that thread. We have the British gas inspection thing that they do each year yes. Not sure what you mean by is the deposit registered properly? We paid a bond to the landlord in cash

RAS

This thread might be useful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2496423