Can't get tennancy agreement for HB, what to do?

WhistleBlower

Hi

I've recentyl begun an application for housing benefit, i've been asked for a copy of my tennancy agreement and my landlord's name and address. I go via a letting agent, they keep stalling on providing me with copies of my doncuments and keep telling me that it isn't necessary for me to know my landlords info.

What recourse do I have?

Voyager2002

Give the agency details as your landlord, and use receipts/bank statements as evidence of the rent that you pay.

I find it suspicious that you have not been given a copy of your contract and full details of who your landlord is. I suggest that you discuss these issues with Shelter and follow their advice.

Vejovis

why have you rented a house without first having a copy of the contract? you could be letting yourself in for anything.

WhistleBlower

I used to have a copy, it got destroyed in flooding last year. We had a burst pipe, lost a lot of important paperwork.

Punctual_Monkey

Like Voyager said, just use the agents as your landlord and use their address. HB asks for details of Landlord or Agent. You don't necessarily need a tenancy agreement, you should be able to get a rent certificate from your council or their website. The agents can complete it and it will act as proof of tenancy or ask the agents to write a letter confirming the tenancy details. I.e. The period of the tenancy, tenancy type, rent charged and how often, if any services are included etc. and just make sure they sign it or stamp it with a company stamp. Hth.

Killmark

WhistleBlower wrote: »

keep telling me that it isn't necessary for me to know my landlords info.

You have a legal right to this information, although they can supply a contact address for the landlord (which is usually the letting agents) as they are not required to supply you with their residential details.

They are probably worried about loosing renewal fees if you went direct to the landlord.

Notmyrealname

WhistleBlower wrote: »

Hi

I've recentyl begun an application for housing benefit, i've been asked for a copy of my tennancy agreement and my landlord's name and address. I go via a letting agent, they keep stalling on providing me with copies of my doncuments and keep telling me that it isn't necessary for me to know my landlords info.

What recourse do I have?

As a landlord I can tell you that is hogwash. It is a statutory requirement that you are given the details of the landlord. In addition to that it is a statutory requirement that you are not only given a copy of your tenancy agreement but also a tenants copy of the gas safety certificate and an Energy Efficiency report.

I note you say they were lost. You should be supplied with duplicates upon request.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Notmyrealname wrote: »

As a landlord I can tell you that is hogwash. It is a statutory requirement that you are given the details of the landlord. In addition to that it is a statutory requirement that you are not only given a copy of your tenancy agreement but also a tenants copy of the gas safety certificate and an Energy Efficiency report.

I note you say they were lost. You should be supplied with duplicates upon request.

#4 indicated that he WAS given a copy, but it was destroyed. However, I am not aware of any legal requirement, statutory or otherwise, for a written tenancy agreement. The EPC is only required of the tenancy began after 1/10/2008.

Dognobs

I note you say they were lost. You should be supplied with duplicates upon request.

But this will be at a cost

MissMoneypenny

Notmyrealname wrote: »

As a landlord I can tell you that is hogwash. It is a statutory requirement that you are given the details of the landlord. In addition to that it is a statutory requirement that you are not only given a copy of your tenancy agreement but also a tenants copy of the gas safety certificate and an Energy Efficiency report.

I note you say they were lost. You should be supplied with duplicates upon request.

I agree with notmyrealname, the agents have to give you the landlords details.
From the Shelter website:-

Giving the tenant certain information



Details of property agents

All landlords have to give their tenants their name and a UK contact address. If the property is managed by a letting or property agent, they must also provide you with the landlord's full name and address. Your landlord should also tell you what fees are charged by agents.

Any requests should be made in writing, you should also keep a copy of the letter and send it by recorded delivery, if you want proof of postage. If you don't get a reply in writing within 21 days of them receiving your letter, the landlord is committing a criminal offence.

Your next step could be to report your landlord to your local council's tenancy relations office, who can get involved in disputes between landlord and tenants and can even prosecute the person who does not provide this information.


You should also be able to get your landlord's details from the Land Registry. You can do this online by filling in a form and paying a small fee.


http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/rights_and_responsibilities/landlords_responsibilities