Landlord Problem

st_jimmy_2

I am after a bit of help regarding my landlord and the property I currently rent out.

I moved into the property approximately two years ago. When I first moved in, he came round with all his recent utility bills so he could give me the numbers so I could set up my own account with them. He told me I should just change the name on the existing accounts to make things easier. When he left, I noticed he were in arrears on his accounts and his council tax. When I rang one company; Scottish Power if I remember rightly - they informed me that my landlord had been in touch asking to change names on his account, thus making me and my partner liable for the arrears incurred. He also advised us to pay him our council tax and he would pay on our behalf. Something we didn't take up because if I remember rightly he had over £1,000 of arrears!

Now approximately two weeks ago, we received a telephone call from Nemo Personal Finance asking to speak to him; I informed them that he is no longer resident at the property and hasn't been for 2 years. Approximately 10-15 minutes later I received a text from my landlord asking to come round to discuss our tenancy. I was happy for him to come round because he was compliant with the tenancy agreement. He text later in the day saying he had been called into work and we needed to be out of the house on or before 28th May because his mortgage company (possibly Nemo) don't want the property to be rented out otherwise they'll move him onto a different product. We carried on receiving phone calls from Nemo and because I was getting sick of them, I disclosed his mobile phone number and his address on the tenancy agreement. I work for a major UK bank within a debt management department so I know the value of having correct details for customers. 2 nights after all this - Nemo rang me on my mobile phone (I gave this out to help them catch my landlord - More fool me on that one!!!) Nemo asked for my landlord!!!!!!!!!!! This obviously left me very distressed!

Now today; I text my landlord advising he hasn't sent any official notice in writing and I received this text back "Hello ***** it has come to my notice you have been in discussions with THIRD PARTY(my loans company). Do refrain yourself from having such discussion as you have no legal right doing so. You will getting your QUIT NOTICE ASAP"
This has left me quite distressed; firstly it's quite threatening and secondly why would Nemo disclose I have discussed things with them? I have already lodged a complaint about the phone call on my mobile, now I'm lodging a complaint against this potentially harmful situation I find myself in at the moment. I have done absolutely nothing wrong throughout my tenancy, paid my rent on time, looked after the house as if it was my own. I've been honest, which I believe is the best policy.

I have read some information on here that has helped me establish he doesn't seem to have the correct mortgage / secured loan on the property. There are two charges on the property, one being BoS and one being Nemo. I have downloaded a copy of the Land Registry details and it looks as though he is saying he lives here. Potentially he is committing fraud and evading tax.

Please please can someone help or offer some advice with what myself and partner can do. We are both very very distresed at this so please no wind ups and such! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

zappahey

Start looking for somewhere else to live, ASAP. No matter which way this goes, it's not going to be fun.

st_jimmy_2

Zappahey; exactly what I am doing. I will notify him of my intentions to vacate the property, but I don't want to risk losing the deposit I have because of non conformance with tenancy or him disputing anything.

Blackpool_Saver

I hope this isn't a hoax post, but did you really put your name on his bills ???????

Emmzi

i am assuming you are up to date with your utilities.

In your situation I might be tempted to withold last month's rent which is not totally legal but am guessing your deposit is not in a protected scheme? so slim chance of getting it back. Clearly he has no cash and will be kickimg and screaming on that one.

and yes. Find somewhere to move to PDQ.

st_jimmy_2

Emmzi. I am fully up to date with all bills associated with being at the property. I'm not going to withold any rent because I want my conscience to be clear when I move out. My deposit is protected but previous experience with trying to get it back, isn't great. Took me over a year last time!!! PDQ? ...

jinky67

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

I hope this isn't a hoax post, but did you really put your name on his bills ???????

My LL said I should just use the meter keys that were in here. Luckily I have more sense than to do that

(not in arrears though)

st_jimmy_2

Blackpool_Saver with the greatest of respect, please re-read. I did not put my name on any accounts associated with him. And no it's not an hoax post. I have more decency than to waste my time posting on forums like this if I'm hoaxing people. This is a genuine situation I am currently finding myself under.

poppysarah

if he has made you feel threatened then I would give the local police a call and ask to speak to someone about harrassment.

The landlord is in the wrong here - not you - but you need to extricate yourself from the mess he's created.

I assume the debt company might not have let slip anything - but the landlord isn't a complete and utter muppet even though he seems to be doing a very good impression.

Legally you can stay until you're properly evicted. In reality you should probably not pay him a bean more in rent (sod being nice, you're about to be homeless).

Speak to the council tomorrow and the CAB or ring shelter for more exact legal info.

The council might have an obligation to rehouse you - which might help you.

st_jimmy_2

The local police station is just round the corner so I may just do that. I will get to the CAB soon as I can. I can't do much with work obligations, unless I take emergency leave which will be the best thing to do I think. I rang Shelter after it all started and they sent me a pack full of legal stuff; most of which I am still trying to understand. I'm hoping the company haven't said anything but it's sort of obvious I've told them something because they have been in touch with him. And he's put two and two together. All I want is out of this mess because I feel I'm just scratching the surface with this so called person. I want somewhere else to live but its going to be pretty difficult getting the same sort of standard of house for the same price and within easy reach of local amenities and the train station which I need to use for work. I will speak with the council also. I just wish the CAB, counci and company were open today so I can get to the bottom of it all!

Emmzi

pdq = pretty damn quick