Some advice needed about my dodgy landlord...

Phoebe-

Hiya,

I just need some advice about my dodgy landlord basically.

I moved into the property just over 4 years ago with my ex partner, and we signed a 6 month tenancy agreement. Everything was fine, except he demanded the rent in cash which was dodgy, no matter how often we asked to pay via cheque or a standing order.

6 months later we re-signed for another 6 months, but no contract was re-drawn up until 3 years later when my new partner moved in after my old one left.

Basically, when my ex partner lived here, we would get visitors regarding debt he owed to orange. There would be numerous phone calls on our landline asking for the landlord to call him back from natwest, orange, and a debt collection agency. How he got the landline number we don't know, as it was one we brought over from our previous address and didn't disclose to the landlord. Maybe the companies found it listed under our address.

Anyway, all his mail came here. Bank statements, water bill statements etc etc.

He also had someone over once about his house insurance to renew his policy. Having worked in house insurance at the time I knew this wasn't the case...they would never everrr go out and visit the property, but he just shrugged this off when mentioned. He also asked me to leave the house when this perosn came, and last year the same thing happened again. All very dodgy.

When my new partner moved in in August last year we re-signed a contract for 12 months. Since then the amount of letters he gets here is reduced, but still not good. Bank statements, water statements etc come here. There's been cards through from Welsh Water for him advising he's in debt etc. Never good.

A letter came a few months ago, and we couldn't see the name on the envelope proeprly as it had not been folded up correctly...if that makes sense? We could only see the address and further down where it said urgent. We opened it concerned, and it was actually for our landlord advising he's defaulted on his mortage which is clearly concerning...and also concerning he has his post delivered here for it!

Having read the post on here at the top about landlords needing permission to rent the property, I think it seems pretty clear he doesn't! As it really does seem like he's pretending to live here.

My Fiance' graduated uni this year so applied for a graduate account and he was declined, even tho his credit rating is fine. He asked if it could be due to the landlord and the bank said yes, as some properties can be black listed.

Basically, without that money from the graduate account it will take us foreverrr to save up a new deposit/months rent (we won't get the deposit back on here as having been here 4 years carpets have worn, things have broken etc).

We're a bit stuck, as we're concerned we could get thrown out of this house at any momenet, and also worried incase all of this is effecting our credit ratings seen as it does appear he preteneds to live here. Oh, and the other thing he has some letters here now from Swalec, not sure what they're about as not opened them, obviouslyyy, but no idea why they've come here as we're with N Power and pay the bill, so not sure if he's told Swalec if this is his forwarding address?

Basically....we're just really confused and wanted to know what other people's thoughts were on the situation, and to see if anyone had any advice for us.

Sorry that it's so long and complicated!!

poppysarah

Why haven't you moved?

Snitch him up for not living there to EVERYONE including the tax man.

W130SN

Yes it does look dodgy, you should go to CAB with a copy of your tenancy agreement also you should both get a copy of your credit files to see if any links with the landlord are showing up.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/RentingAHome/index.htm

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/private_tenancies

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/home_and_neighbourhood_index_ew/renting_a_home_index_ew.htm

Kavanne

Properties don't get black listed, people do.

Phoebe-

We haven't moved because we haven't had the money....we're really skint.

And we don't have a proper tennancy agreement like those thick 20 page long ones. It's literally just a double sided sheet of paper with our names on, his name, the address and confirming how much we'll pay each month.

And RBS bank said if someone is seriously defaulting on their mortage and it's extremally bad, that the property can be blacklisted.

zzzLazyDaisy

Phoebe- wrote: »

And RBS bank said if someone is seriously defaulting on their mortage and it's extremally bad, that the property can be blacklisted.

Whoever told you this was wrong. Many years ago it used to be the case that properties could be black listed, but the law was changes ages ago, and now only people can be blacklisted. So your partner should check his credit record to see if there is something there which might explain the refusal.

As far as your landlord is concerned - if he is in difficulties with his mortgage you are in a potentially in precarious position, as you could find yourself evicted on short notice if he does not have permission from the lender to let the property. You may wish to speak to Shelter to find out what your rights are.

McKneff

I agree with Kavanne, properties are not blacklisted.
There must be something else affecting the credit.

Phoebe-

Well all his payments on his credit report are in green and all fine, but tbh that's not the massive issue right now. I'm just concerned about being thrown out of here because he doesn't have the right to rent it out etc.

terryw

Phoebe- wrote: »

And we don't have a proper tennancy agreement like those thick 20 page long ones. It's literally just a double sided sheet of paper with our names on, his name, the address and confirming how much we'll pay each month.

This does not stop it from being a "proper" tenancy agreement. Most tenancy agreements are quite short - I have certainly never come across one twenty pages long.

terryw

Your current contract is almost up anyway so it is probably a good idea to start looking for another dwelling particularly as you have concerns over other aspects.

StudentMoneySaver

Your priority should be to find somewhere new to live. Since he is defaulting on his mortgage, you could have a matter of weeks left in the property (although it is more likely to be months). Start working out how you can save for a deposit and Letting Agent fees so you are ready once the inevitable happens.

Did you pay a deposit on this? If so, has it be protected? It should have been since you have signed new agreements since the law came in. If it hasn't been protected, you can sue him for it (just to add to his woes, you may not get it back).