Proof of marriage for letting agent.

Wiffies

We have an AST, which is now in its second fixed two year term. I am head tenant for purposes of deposit. Tenancy is joint with partner.

We have recently married and letting agent has asked for a copy of the marriage certificate to update its records.

My question; why is this necessary ? Nothing to hide, but what business is it of theirs? Is it a legal requirement?

Thanks.

PasturesNew

I'm guessing that at some future point you'll want your deposit back - under a different name.... just a guess. Maybe they have a legal obligation that when they take a deposit from Ms A and give it back to Mrs B that they can prove a paper trail that A and B are the same person.

It does feel like constant intrusion when you rent doesn't it. You're watched, judged, queried .......

Wiffies

Thank you. I haven't changed my name. I just can't be bothered. I've notified my employer, but I'm getting old now and more of a grumpy old woman.

PasturesNew

Wiffies wrote: »

Thank you. I haven't changed my name. I just can't be bothered. I've notified my employer, but I'm getting old now and more of a grumpy old woman.

The lesson in life these days seems to be: keep your mouth shut ... what they don't know can't hurt them. While it's lovely and the right thing to do, to keep everybody informed of various changes in circumstances, it's nice to have all the paperwork in order .... sometimes, it's just best to think "Ah faqh it ... they'll only want more and be nosey and poke about, so faqh it ...." and not tell them.



I am about to rent and the letter said in bold that when I go to sign the tenancy and get the keys (even though they're only open for 3 hours/week outside of working hours - and if you work Saturday mornings that's 0 hours) ALL people listed on the tenancy HAVE to be present. I bet that's a pain for a lot of people to try to organise at short notice, with other stuff going on!

bob2

Wiffies wrote: »

We have recently married and letting agent has asked for a copy of the marriage certificate to update its records.

My question; why is this necessary ? Nothing to hide, but what business is it of theirs? Is it a legal requirement?

You were already a tenant - so how did they find out that you recently got married?

No reason at all to give them a copy of your marriage certificate unless you want them to change your name on their records (i.e. to prove your new name).

missile

b!!! wrote: »

how did they find out that you recently got married?.

I was wondering how they knew, unless OP told them?

...change your name on their records

That might cause problems later, if you are not changing your name.

Wiffies

Our letting agent is a local guy and both the agent and LL are good. Village life- word spreads. Used the agent for some years now. I haven't changed my surname and just see little point in telling them, so will probably refuse the request. They can't shoot me!

I'm not really sure how retaining my name will cause problems, as long as relevant bods, such as HMRC know we're married.

PasturesNew

Wiffies wrote: »

They can't shoot me!

They would if they could .... AND there'd be some fees to pay for that, some forms/checks and another round of IDs required

missile

Wiffies wrote: »

I'm not really sure how retaining my name will cause problems, as long as relevant bods, such as HMRC know we're married.

I said it might cause problems if they

...change your name on their records

and you do not.

tbs624

Just ignore the LA's request or alternatively write and confirm that you are indeed now married and are both retaining your original names but make no reference to the request for a copy cert.

LA can of course just send one of their minions to go and obtain a copy if they really want, from the Registrar's Office.

Fire_Fox

I wouldn't ignore it totally, IMO drop them an e-mail saying that you are not changing any of your financial records so do not require them to update theirs. Maybe they are hoping to levy a charge for changing your name on the AST/ deposit scheme ....