OR contacting landlord - scared to tell housemates!

missblue1480

So I've just had a 15 minute chat with OR who was lovely and doesn't think they'll need a further interview as I have a single (huge) debt and am solely on student income.

But she did confirm that they contact all landlords of bankrupts as a matter of course to confirm the tenancy is shorthold and that there are no arrears.

I have no arrears and a good relationship with my landlord but we are currently about to renew our tenancy for next year (16th July) and I'm worried he will be put off and decide to remarket instead. He almost pulled out when we were initially checked as one us of had a CCJ (from a very old address that they knew nothing about) from almost 6 years ago that was about to fall off their credit file and our landlord was very concerned about this and almost decided we were too high risk for him then. Since we've been in the property he's remarked several times that we are his ideal tenants and we've done the garden up for him and had glowing reports from the neighbours (who have had trouble with many of his previous tenants).

I know I'm going to have to contact him to notify him in advance of my OR so it isn't a bolt out of the blue but I'm scared! I live in a houseshare and there are four of us here. I'm really worried that I've put everyone else's tenancy in jeopardy because of my own financial situation. One of my housemates is a real worrier and has gotten herself ill with stress when there has been a previous threat to our housing situation. I feel awful having to tell her that I'm having to tell the landlord I'm BR (she's been ridiculously supportive and wonderful about my bankruptcy) and I'm more worried about having to make her worry than anything else.

I don't have any questions, I guess I'm just offloading and looking for support. I know I'll have to contact him today and tell my housemates but I just feel awful.

chasingfreedom

Don't panic!!


When you initially applied for the house your landlord didn't know any of you and was rightly concerned about possible debt problems but you've been in there for a while now and it sounds like you have a great relationship and he knows you are good payers and are looking after his property well. You might find it's not as bad as you think. Don't mention it to your other housemates unless he reacts negatively, there is no point worrying them unnecessarily. If he reacts ok and you choose to still tell them that is up to you but they don't need to know.


I hope it goes well, the sooner you do it the less time you have to worry about it xx

owlet

Reassure him that you are actually a very safe tennant now because you have no debts & reiterate that you have always paid on time and will continue to do so.
Good luck!

missblue1480

Thanks for the replies.

I've sent the landlord an email and have decided not to tell my housemates until I hear back from him either way.

Is there any chance having a bankrupt tenant could invalidate his insurance or mortgage or anything else beyond his own judgement?

CKhalvashi

missblue1480 wrote: »

Is there any chance having a bankrupt tenant could invalidate his insurance or mortgage or anything else beyond his own judgement?

Not in my experience, however each lender/insurer will be different.

National_Debtline

Hi missblue


Just adding my voice to those who feel you shouldn't be unduly concerned. Landlords don't want to turf out longstanding reliable occupiers for the sake of it, and I struggle to conceive of any way in which his own commitments e.g. mortgage/insurance could be affected by the insolvency of one of his tenants.


Dennis
@natdebtline

missblue1480

Thank you for the replies.

I contacted my landlord and he said if it had been a year ago he would have been wary and would probably have asked the letting agent to remarket but as we've been good tenants, this doesn't change his opinion of us. He did however ask that if there are any unforeseen consequences or further ramifications to let him know in good time in case he needs to exercise his landlordly right to evict. I don't know what further consequences could possibly be. Bankruptcy really is the most severe consequence already!

Well I'm relieved that we're able to renew our tenancy as agreed but still feel ashamed for having to disclose this and for my landlord to now be anticipating potential further adverse consequences. I really don't feel it is fair at all for the OR to have to contact him, forcing me to forewarn as with no rent arrears and no bankruptcy clauses in my tenancy I don't see why I should need to embarrass myself in disclosing my financial situation and potentially damage my relationship with him.

Oh well, it is what it is I suppose but I can't deny feeling a bit miffed that I should have to go through that for no real reason I can see.

fermi

Good. He sounds sensible, but you can understand him being slightly wary. Unless you actually look into it in depth consequences of bankruptcy are a mystery to most people and they may think more than it is.

owlet

That's great, off your mind now, relax :-)

Peter333

missblue1480 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies.

I contacted my landlord and he said if it had been a year ago he would have been wary and would probably have asked the letting agent to remarket but as we've been good tenants, this doesn't change his opinion of us. He did however ask that if there are any unforeseen consequences or further ramifications to let him know in good time in case he needs to exercise his landlordly right to evict. I don't know what further consequences could possibly be. Bankruptcy really is the most severe consequence already!

Well I'm relieved that we're able to renew our tenancy as agreed but still feel ashamed for having to disclose this and for my landlord to now be anticipating potential further adverse consequences. I really don't feel it is fair at all for the OR to have to contact him, forcing me to forewarn as with no rent arrears and no bankruptcy clauses in my tenancy I don't see why I should need to embarrass myself in disclosing my financial situation and potentially damage my relationship with him.

Oh well, it is what it is I suppose but I can't deny feeling a bit miffed that I should have to go through that for no real reason I can see.

Hmmm it's strange isn't it??? This happened to a friend of mine. He went BR, and the OR contacted his LL to let him know. I have no idea why the LL has to know. :huh:

It would be understandable if the LL was a creditor, but if not, why does he/she need to be informed?

alastairq

The OR isn't contacting a LL to inform of a BR.

The OR is contacting a LL to confirm, primarily, the amount of rent the BR has claimed for, and whether this amount is 'reasonable' for the area.

If the BR can show paper evidence of the amount of rent, and that the rent is up-to-date, [bank statements, for example?]....then the OR may not have need to contact a LL.

Also, if the BR is concerned that an OR's contact may have a detrimental effect on the continuance of the tenancy, then they can request no contact by the OR...but must give evidential reasons for asking.

In the OP's situation, being in a house-share raises issues within the SOA the OR has to understand.