Tenant lied - has a crime been committed?

Brighton_Bob

A few days ago I was contacted by my tenant, claiming that there had been a problem with the cooker (which was brand new 2 months ago) in the flat, that he had not been able to get in touch with me, and that he had had to get the cooker replaced at his own expense.

The thing is, aside from whether he actually tried to contact me or whether I am even liable to replace the cooker, I have since been around to the flat and inspected the cooker, and I know for a fact that it is exactly the same cooker (because I have compared the serial number on it).

I have asked him for receipts and he says that he can provide them, but has not yet done so.

My question is whether what he has broken the law, and whether it matters that I have not handed over any money to him.

If he has broken the law, is this something that the police would get involved with?

I am very unhappy that he has done this, and I want to make sure that he doesn't get away with it.

tanith

Well if you can prove by having the original serial number of 'your' cooker I don't see what the problem is.. you just show him the number of 'your' cooker and that its the same as the one in the flat and you owe him nothing... if the cooker has a fault then its your responsibility to repair I believe..

Gwhiz

He sounds mental. I'd get rid ASAP

Brighton_Bob

tanith wrote: »

Well if you can prove by having the original serial number of 'your' cooker I don't see what the problem is.. you just show him the number of 'your' cooker and that its the same as the one in the flat and you owe him nothing... if the cooker has a fault then its your responsibility to repair I believe..

Well, I think that I can definitely make him accept that I don't owe him anything, but I don't consider this to be be just a matter of me proving that I don't owe him anything.

Rather, I consider that he has tried to de-fraud me quite blatantly, and I want to know whether it is worthwhile raising this matter to the police.

If I didn't have the receipt with the serial number on it, he might well have gotten away with this.

BitterAndTwisted

How long has the tenant claimed they'd been trying to get in touch with you and failed? Landlords have a responsibility to effect repairs within "a reasonable time" and that's not necessarily 48 hours. There are procedures to adhere to if a tenant needs to have something repaired or replaced and they cannot do that without reference to you as and when they feel like it.

Your tenant appears to think that they can try to defraud you. And that is a crime. I'd be fascinated to hear how they can come up with a verifiable receipt for something which they patently have not purchased. I'd be having a close read of the tenancy agreement and refreshing my memory of the legislation to check how soon I could get rid of this cheeky chancer.

LudaMusser

He sounds like a real piece of work. I would consider serving him his notice as I would`nt want somebody like that in a property of mine. I doubt there is a clause in the tenancy agreement that will cover him for fraud, just boot him out by giving him the relevant notice period. You don`t know what else he may try on in the future, well done for pulling him up

Incyder

Brighton_Bob wrote: »

My question is whether what he has broken the law, and whether it matters that I have not handed over any money to him.
If he has broken the law, is this something that the police would get involved with?

Attempted fraud, maybe. Whether the police would get involved is hard to say, no money was swizzed from you, your word against his as evidence, it all sounds rather 'civilly' and they don't like that. Ring and ask.

No doubt you will be getting rid of him at the end of his ast.

elaine373

Ask him to put it in writing(The claim for the cooker).Tell him its for insurance/guarantee purposes.If he supplies this then serve him notice to quit,reminding him that he has attempted fraud and you will be going to the police etc.If he doesnt provide a letter, serve him notice anyway, this person doesnt sound like someone who is a suitable tenant.

maninthestreet

Give him 24 hours notice to say that you will be visting to inspect the 'new cooker'. Take any proof you have of the serial number of the cooker you previously installed.

evoke

A cooker has to be installed by a Gas Safe registered installer. Ask to see evidence of the Gas Safe engineer's installation and also the receipt for the cooker.

When he fails to produce either, kick his backside out into touch. And disconnect any Internet access in case he reads these forums to get ideas on how to walk all over you. LOL.

BitterAndTwisted

Definitely try to catch him out by asking for information in writing. As stated above just say it's for warranty purposes.

If this cooker was brand-new two months ago how long has this shyster been in the property?