Wrong data on Tenancy Deposit Certificate

Beate

When I got my Tenancy Deposit Certificate last month, it was full of incorrect info. Not only was my name misspelt and the dates for commencement of tenancy and collection of deposit wrong, but the address was also incorrect in two places, including the post code. I informed the landlord who spoke to the deposit people (they only speak to landlords), and I was sent an amended certificate. They got one address bit right and my name now, the rest including the postcode is still wrong. In the meantime, the landlord has sent me his copy of the first version and asked me to sign it.

I altered the certificates manually, signed them and was just about to send them off when the OH said I should not have done that as it rendered the documents illegal? I wouldn't have thought there is a problem but should I send a letter to the landlord instead asking him yet again to get the certificates altered? He is a nice enough bloke but I don't want to get on his nerves too much. But if there should a problem arise at the end of the tenancy with a manually altered certificate, I wouldn't be too happy either.
My boss says he doesn't see a problem, but who is right?

olly300

The certificate maybe invalid now but then the landlord should go and get new valid certificate with the correct details.

It's not your fault that you are getting issued with wrongly named and addressed certificates and if your landlord is can't be bothered to insist the certificate has the correct info on it then I would do what you did.

I suggest you put it in writing to the landlord and send by recorded delivery a letter stating the certificate was incorrectly named and addressed so you altered it. Then keep copies and the recorded delivery slip.

Then leave it up to the landlord to get the certificate altered again if they want to.

Beate

Thanks. I had a draft letter already and have now said that I had to alter certificate as still incorrect, I am sending them back signed, but if he wants unaltered certificate, could he please have the deposit people send a correct version. I always copy everything I send out but as the landlord sent a SAE with First Class stamp on it, I might leave it at that.