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

G_M

pleasedelete wrote: »

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

so it's trolling really....

who do we report trolls to? Oh yes, I know....

kinger101

Well, I reported anyway. Why do you do this MSE? Can't you make them at least remotely amusing?

Yolina

G_M wrote: »

so it's trolling really....

So we can feel free to totally derail the thread then

pennypinchUK

If you've got a tenancy agreement and you're happy with the rent, what's the issue?

If the lead tenant is playing games it's up to them to face the consequences if they get caught out.

scoobydoobydoo

I have a friend who rents a large flat from a landlord. The friend can take in lodgers but the agreement is between friend and lodger, nothing to do with the landlord, who just wants his rent every month.
My friend is in charge of the lodgers and responsible for any damage they do, and if they skip off without paying rent then that is also my friends problem, the landlord still expects to be paid.
My friend pays above market rent for the place but any profit made on lodgers is his to keep. As it is he charges his 3 lodgers a rent that covers the total rent of the flat and saves his "share" in order to make up any shortfall through moonlight flits, or to make good any damage.

If your agreement is with the "lead tenant" and you dont actually have a tenancy agreement with the landlord then you have 2 options. 1 - put up with it, 2 - leave.

scoobydoobydoo

I should add that he covers the bills too, so if he is down 2 tenants (say) then the full rent and bills need to be paid by him, and he does this. He is not making a profit as such but is living on a much reduced rent by acting almost as an agent for his landlord. It is all legal and declared.

joehoover

Did you pay a deposit? If so, who has that? If the landlord has it then you must be on an assured shorthold tenancy and it is held in a scheme.

If you signed nothing then you are a lodger, deposits don't have to be protected but then your landlord should be living in the same property I thought?

Sounds messy, but if it's cheap is it a big deal? You may not have paid 6 weeks rent and deposit in advance, you could leave when you feel like it, aswell as be kicked out when they feel like it aswell.

If the saving you make on rent means you can save your own buffer separately to cover you if you need to move quickly then do that to protect yourself in future in case you need to move at short notice.

As an aside if the landlord is clueless as to what is going on then I wouldn't trust him to get things done when they need fixing. A good landlord would want to know his property is in a secure state.

I'd take it for what it is, cheap rent enabling you to save towards your future.

Augustus_the_Strong

If you think it's a 'great price' then why look for trouble? I can't think that it's likely to improve your happiness as flatmates. So if you don't like it, move out.

JayD

You say you are renting at 'a great price' - lucky you! - and one that you agreed on before moving in. On that account I would say enjoy and be grateful.

My concern is not over your rent - which you say is more than reasonable - but about your security. Unless you have a contract, what rights do you have re future rent increases, costs of maintenance/repairs, notice to quit? These are the things I think you should be sorting out with your 'lead tenant' - or else with the landlord directly.

HappyMJ

The lead tenant is responsible for paying the whole rent whether you pay or not. The lead tenant is taking a little from each payment to cover a void when you leave. The rent still has to be paid whether you're there or not. It's not a problem.