Landlord asking for a Guarantor *AFTER* signing contract? Help!

Guy_Montag

Meatballs, assumming the OP has a valid contract (signed by all parties) evil LL can't evict the OP until the end of the contract - 6 months away.

prudryden

I doubt that the LL has signed the contract, which means your friend is on a periodic and is liable for everything anyway. You may not have any legal standing in the flat and, at this point, you are a guest of your friend.

harryhound

Thank you Winston for that pearl of wisdom.

I find that in 99% percent of instances, both sides start off being reasonable, but because they don't communicate they become increasingly paranoid about each other.

As a sort of "agent" for my relatives, I would always take a present when going to see our wonderful tenants ("Mrs Hound has been making some marmalade, I thought you might like a pot?" that sort of thing. "Hullo Mr Hound, I've just put the kettle on; tea or coffee?" went down quite well too).

The relationship should be one of mutual benefit, but the initial enthusiasm of
desperate tenant needing a home and desperate landlord thinking he has found a wonderful tenant tends to cool if you don't work at it.

It is something to do with mutual respect and consideration, not the letter of the law - only lawyers make money out of law.

Harry

A wonderful tenant is one who pays their rent on time.
(It helps if they don't annoy the neighbours - living like pigs is OK as long as they clean the sty before they leave).

olly300

Tetsugaku-San wrote: »

I sent back the addresses for 2 references, job and bank, not really expecting a problem, and last Friday (27th April) me + friend sgned new contract and handed over the first months rent in cash. I move in over the weekend.

Sorry your landlady doesn't know what she is doing by letting you move in and pay money as rent she has started a contract with you. The piece of paper (written contract) just confirms this but is not vital for an AST.

(I've had tenancies without them and the those landlords where actually the best to deal with.)

Therefore:
1. If she wishes to evict you she needs to give you two months written notice and if she does you can take her to court over the deposit. Some terms like subject to satisfactory references when she has let you move in could be disputed in court.
2. Your friend is liable for the rent if you don't pay it due to how you describe the arrangement.

I would in order:
1. Hassle your work - go to HR or whoever writes the references and get them to do it today and send it back. They may simply put it at the bottom of their work pile. In fact get a 2 copies one you can go over and hand deliver to the landlady and another which they will post.
2. Refuse to pay the admin charge. Put it in writing stating you are not paying the charge as it is unreasonable.
3. Point out to her in writing if she hassles you that due to her accepting the money from you as rent you are her tenant with an AST and state that due to the tenancy you have your housemates are liable for the rent if you don't pay up.

Don't give her extra money and don't give her a guarantor. In fact don't bring it up with her sort out your work reference. Then pay your rent on time. Make sure it reaches her by the due date.

I would also read up your rights on shelter's website.