Landlord wants £1,000 retainer

Twinkle_Star_5

nrsql wrote: »

Sounds like there will be continuing problems dealing with him.
I would take this as a get-out.

I agree, I think that there will be ongoing problems. However, there is nothing else available in the area (which I need to be in, otherwise my daughter won't get into the local school) and I need to move out of my current house, two days after this next tenancy is due to begin. So I am a bit stuck.

If I wasn't stuck, there is no way that I would want to take this property.

nrsql wrote: »

what was his explanation for suddenly ignoring his solicitor and signing before receiving funds (another name for a Christmas present). Do you think this advice from his solicitor really existed?
I suspect if you go through with this you will probably find that there will be a lot more things advised by this solicitor.
Make sure you check the inventory very carefully.

He didn't have an explanation, he just relented. I have no doubt that he had just made up the whole legal advice thing.

Again wouldn't touch this landlord with a barge-pole, if it wasn't for the lack of other accommodation.

LillythePink

We rented a property from a lady who lived in Oz - she emergrated several years ago but kept it on as her pension fund.

We only dealt with emails or telephone calls - she had local contacts - her BIL's father, but the only time we saw him was to hand over the keys when we moved in and out. All contracts were done by email/scanned in then by post (I even retyped the tenancy agreement for her)

It can be ok dealing with an overseas LL and peaceful too - you don't get them coming around all the time (I've had previous experience of this). Our relationship with her was great - if anything needed doing, then we emailed her and she gave the go ahead and either repaid us the money spent for fixing whatever or paid direct to the firm.

Don't be too discouraged by what's happened so far, with holidays/xmas, things will be a bit slow - the only thing that I would say - have sight of the agreement before any money changes hands - in case there is anything in there which you don't like or appears unfair.

Have faith - it will be fine!

G_M

Twinkle_Star wrote: »

Hi all. Thanks again for the continuing advice.

I do have an address for him in the UK, which the tenancy agreement says is for the serving of notice (I believe that it is his sister's address). Good. Can you confirm the address via Land Registry? Or Google?

With regards to the tax situation, I have not yet raised this with him but I will do so. Fine. You can always just withold 20% of the rent till you are satisfied that HMRC will not be coming after you.

However, there is now a bit of a complication. He signed the tenancy agreement in front of a witness on Dec 23rd (in Canada so it was about 10pm in the UK). We were sent a scanned copy, but he retained the original. Who was the witness? Your Uncle? Did he check the LL's ID? Trouble with this absent LL business is you have no other proof he's not Tom, !!!!!! or Harry.

Do NOT hand over any funds till you have in your hands (or a trusted friend/family like you Uncle) the original signed contract, with the signature having been verified as genuine - ie ID check

We have been trying to contact his friend in the UK who is supposed to witness us signing the agreement. However, probably because of Xmas and the fact that he works shifts, we had not had a call back from him.

This afternoon I plugged in my mobile phone, which has been missing in action for a few days, and I see that I had received a text message from the landlord saying that if he hadn't heard from us by 10am yesterday, he would not be proceeding with the tenancy.

As he has signed the agreement and sent us a scanned copy, but we have not yet signed it or transferred any money, is he able to back out like this?

Thanks again for all the advice so far, and hoping that somebody can assist with this latest twist!

You've had repeated warnings from the outset about this arrangement. The warnings continue to be:
1) either pull out or
2) do it right

If he's pulled out, let it go.

sequence

Even if this landlord is completely genuine (which I doubt) why would you want to deal with someone so hopelessly unprofessional ?

Twinkle_Star_5

sequence wrote: »

Even if this landlord is completely genuine (which I doubt) why would you want to deal with someone so hopelessly unprofessional ?

Simply because I need to stay in this area for my daughter's school, there is absolutely nothing else to rent (not even a studio flat) and because my current lease is up in a few days.

It is certainly not through choice, just necessity.

Twinkle_Star_5

Well, it looks like things are going ahead.

I wondered if anybody here could advise me of what I need to check with the landlord. Currently I have a list of two things

1) Ask whether he is registered under the NRL scheme
2) Ask if there is a current gas certificate

What else should I be checking/asking for?

Thanks.

stepharoo

Off the top of my head:

Ask him which deposit scheme he's putting your deposit into. (is this an AST?)
Ask for details for utility companies so you can get things switched over pronto.
Since he's overseas, maybe ask if there are any contacts in the UK you can have details for in case of emergencies, like maybe a plumber he likes to use.

I think you should be provided with the gas safety certificate, so ask for a copy and don't just take his word for it.

Get absolutely everything in writing.

G_M

Well, you could really p*ss him off and ask to see the EPC! By law every rental property needs one. They're pretty pointless though so personally I wouldn't rock that boat.

Formal correspondance address in Eng/Wales (I think we've covered that)
Contact numbers for repairs - does he want you to contact plumbers/workmen etc direct, or call his UK relative or what?
Read the meters when you move in and write him a letter with the readings
Deposit scheme
Gas certificate
Inventory - check and correct it before signing. If not given one, don't worry. His problem not yours.

spottydog

Given the LL is in Canada, who let you into the property to view it? As they are a key holder it is probably worth speaking to them to act as an intermediary since they are already involved anyway.

<sebb>

Good luck! Sounds like you'll need it! Make sure you sort out the tax issue with the HMRC ASAP. You really really don't want to be stuck with paying the LLs tax and potential fines from the HMRC.