Money Moral Dilemma: Is the lead tenant pocketing some of my rent?

Former_MSE_Sam_M

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I’ve started renting a room in a flat, it’s a great price, but I have to pay the rent to a longstanding lead tenant rather than the landlord direct.

The other tenant and I think the lead tenant is pocketing some of our rent before paying the landlord what they’re actually owed, but we can’t prove it. What should we do?

double_mummy

You agreed to the rent when you moved in surely if you had a problem with it you should have raised it then

Guest101

So you're lodgers?

dgtazzman

Does the landlord know this lead tenant is subletting? Sounds like a strange construction to me, unless it's a joint tenancy, but it sounds like it isn't...

G_M

Who is your landlord?

The 'lead tenant'? So you agreed a rent with the lead tenant and moved in as his/her lodgers.

The tenancy (and rent) between the 'lead tenant' and his landlord (eg the property owner) is none of your business.

Alternatively, is your landlord the same person (ie property owner) as the lead tenant's landlord? Do you and the other 2 tenants have a single 'joint and several' tenancy? Or each have seperate tenancies?

Whichever it is, what rent is specified on your tenancy agreement?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

I presume you haven't signed anything or you'd be paying the amount in the contract and that would be end of story.

I also assume you have had no contact with the landlord at all or you would have asked.

Basically I would say the landlord seems to have ceded control to this "lead tenant" and he's within his rights to charge what he likes. This might well be his arrangement with the landlord. I don't see why it matters to you, to be honest.

theartfullodger

Remember, whilst the "lead-tenant's" landlord may be property owner, if your landlord is the-person-you-refer-to-as-lead-tenant then he should be declaring any rent income to tax man. And any benefits agency if he is claiming (HB/LHA or CTR or CTC/WTC...).

Perhaps asking him would he prefer you grass him up to HMRC/benefits people or would he like to reduce rent.

I don't like tax cheats any more than I like benefits cheats.

As a lodger he can evict you with pretty much no notice mind...

G_M

theartfullodger wrote: »

Remember, whilst the "lead-tenant's" landlord may be property owner, if your landlord is the-person-you-refer-to-as-lead-tenant then he should possibly be declaring any rent income to tax man. ......

As a lodger he can evict you with pretty much no notice mind...

Rent a Room Scheme (Government scheme for tax-free income from lodgers)

Argghhh

my friend stayed in a house like this and the lead tenant basically got a discount on his rent through collecting the other peoples rent so he paid less. They thought he was ripping them off too and complained, they were looking for somewhere to stay a month later

jjlandlord

MSE_Sam_M wrote: »

I’ve started renting a room in a flat, it’s a great price.

Well nothing to add, really.

Outstanding question...

pleasedelete

Argghhh wrote: »

my friend stayed in a house like this and the lead tenant basically got a discount on his rent through collecting the other peoples rent so he paid less. They thought he was ripping them off too and complained, they were looking for somewhere to stay a month later

You do know that these MSE conundrums are not real? They just make them up to get the punters to argue a bit and drive up traffic.