Lying on a tenancy reference

HotTrot

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Hammyman

Deception - obtaining goods and services by. But...faced with the choices in your last sentence I know how much notice I'd take of that.

Sammy85_2

Lying isnt a good basis to start a relationship with a new landlord is it? If i lied in order to get a tenancy i would be constantly worried i was about to be caught out and then turfed out.

Importantly, If your new landlord discovers you have lied in order to obtain a tenancy then he could have grounds to evict you.

If you are really worried about the current landlord's reference then be honest with the new one about it.

Explain you dont have the best relationship with current landlord, provide proof (bank statements) that shows you have paid your rent on time and in full each month. If you have any inspection reports stating the house was being kept in good order you can also show these. You could also provide some additional character references, perhaps your employer or manager or a current neighbour.

theartfullodger

Could never commend lying... but I understand your position.

Suggest you ensure you would not be embarrassed should the full, clear, position ever come out..

Of course St Augustine of Hippo wrote, circa 395, on the subject of Lying, categorising them into 8 types including...

Lies that harm no one and that help someone.

.. see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie#Augustine.27s_taxonomy_of_lies

Cheers!


Artful

joanna_johnson

I would follow the advice of Sammy85. When you hand in your reference form tell the agency that there is a good chance your current LL will either lie or more probable, just not bother to cooperate.

HotTrot

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hellokitty08

I would say any agency are likely to do a credit check, which would more then likely show your current address.

Put down the address, and put living with family under the l/l details. Shouldnt be any problem then.

joanna_johnson

If I did lie, and say gave different contact details for the landlord, would I likely get caught out? Can the reference agencies easily find out who owns a house, and would they go that far?


I think it depends on which agency is doing the referencing (not LA but reference agency). I have worked with a few different ones. Homelet are very strict. Paragon are a bit easier going. There is a new one out called UK Tenant Data and it is very strict. Any idea which one is gonna be used? It may also be that the LA carries out it's own references.

HotTrot

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Sammy85_2

The last tenant check i did was through the NLA and they did a land registry search to discover who the owner actually was as we had contact details for two landlords (landlords were a couple who had divorced but tenants werent sure who would write their reference). So yes, it is possible they will check who owns the house, so claiming its yours may end in tears. Also, if they look at your bank statements they will notice you dont make a regular mortgage payment, or will see you make a rent payment, depending on how it shows up on your statements.

OP - get your information together in advance of applying for anywhere. Get your bank statements, highlight the rent payments so its easy to see. Get the references from employers/neighbours etc yourself and have them to hand. Make it so that the agent has very little extra work to do by taking you into consideration. If you walk into an agents well prepared you will hopefully increase your chances.

For most landlords i would imagine the immediate questions they would want answering are:

- can they pay the rent?
- have they paid their rent on time and in full to previous landlord?
- are they likely to trash my house/ do they have previous for it?

Try to have these answers prepared and evidence in hand.

joanna_johnson

Can the reference agencies easily find out who owns a house, and would they go that far?

I honestly don't know! I would think so though or every tenant who had rent arrears would say they owned the house. I know they check if you are on the electoral role. I suppose if you are and if your LL is also on it at the same address then his name will also show (but how would they know you weren't his partner???). hmmm...not sure. Still think honesty is the best policy but I can understand your dilemma!