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

tallgirld

I am assuming you know your landlord so just ring and ask "How much rent are you receiving for me each month"

If your landlord says £500 and you are paying the lead tenant £800 then you know your lead tenant is a thief. You confront them with mobile phone ready on Video mode and gather evidence.

Good luck!

leela3000

This is absolutely normal in the house sharing sector. The lead tenant is entirely responsible for the total rent. they also are responsible for energy bills and council tax. It's vital to factor in a safety net, so that if other sharers leave suddenly before another sharer can be found,, or the energy bill increases, or...well there are lots of situations where the lead tenant can be left picking up the bill alone.

You're unlikely to find any house share where the lead tenant doesn't factor that in. In their situation, you'd be foolish not to do the same. The rent for a three bed flat in London, for instance can be around £1800. Would you want to be responsible for that amount, and reliant on your sharers (total strangers initially, usually) to pay up always, and not argue energy costs, etc?

sugarbaby125

Potternerd wrote: »

Do you know who the landlord is? Are you sure the lead tennant isn't subletting a council or housing association property which is illegal and immoral and won't give you any security?

Nor necessarily true. I am a Housing Association tenant with an Assured tenancy and I have the right to sub let and take in lodgers, as long as I notify my Housing Association and most of the Local Councils in London have a similar stance on their tenants taking in lodgers.:T

sugargurlie

I stayed in a flat for several years which I rented off a friend from work, she was looking for someone she knew to take care of it while she worked abroad. My friends also moved in and we all paid rent, however I paid less than the rest so that I could pay for repairs and some bills while the owner of the property was living in Australia, but my friends knew this. Seems quite normal to me, especially if you don't know the lead tenant that well.

Potternerd

I'd ask to see tenancy agreement. If it's not a rip off, surely no problem.

happyinflorida

You agreed it - so why are you whinging now?

You say it's a great price - so why are you whinging now?

You've got a roof over your head, be glad of that as many haven't.

If you leave and no one else rents the room the lead tennant has to pay all the rent - have you even thought of that?

Next time you rent a place by yourself if you're unhappy.

Lynplatinum

Hiya

Firstly I think some folks on here are being a little harsh to the person with the dilemma. They may have been desperate for a place to live and taken on the room without thought, they may be young and naive - we just dont know.

but we should be here to help :A - so:

I can understand why they are concerned. As I understand it, they are concerned that the landlord may not be aware that they are paying full rent. If that is suspected then it could impact on the security of the roof over their head/ their ability to rent another place/their credit score.

So - questions:
1)Did you have a contract when you moved in? - you should have - even if it was with this 'lead tenant' situation.
2) It should include: amount to pay; duration of tenancy; any fees; deposit information; conditions of tenancy (e.g.can you keep animals/how long can a friend stay in your room for etc) Does it?

So - solutions:
1) If you have a contract - read it. If the lead tenant is not keeping to it you can find out who the landlord is (or more accurately who owns the property) from the Land Registry (its on line and there is a small fee). I would then suggest that you inform them of the situation in writing. Do not get into confrontations with the lead tenant but start looking for a new place as it could become unpleasant. Be aware, as some folk on here have said - the lead tenant may well be entitled to keep some of your rent back.
2) If you do not have a contract then (I am sorry about this) but learn the lesson and move - quickly! ALWAYS get anything this important in writing - even if you live with/go into business someone you consider a friend.
3) Always pay important bills like rent via Direct Debit (the person you are paying can alter the amount they collect) or Standing Order (the person you are paying cannot alter the amount)! Guess which I prefer!

Finally - I agree with other posters on here - not all landlords are evil money grapsing snakes who are only doing the minimum to grab your cash. My Mum left me a house - I wanted to keep it as the value would actually decrease in real terms if I sold it and put the money in the bank. It is in an area where reasonable housing is in short supply. I charge a reasonable rent and in the past 2 years I have spent £4,000 on the property. :eek: It is a delight to see it filled with a happy family who return my investment and reasonable rent by looking after it well. I then bought a second house (using a mortgage on house 1 as collateral) and treat the family in there in the same way. Both houses would be run down and house 2 probably abandoned if I had not renovated, restored and supplied housing for 2 families. Please stop demonising us all. My son also has a brilliant landlord and is not sure he would want to move - even if I offered to buy him a place (and he become my tenant!) LOL

Lastly - I cannot believe that MSE would be so foolish as to totally invent these dilemmas but it would be more useful and fulfilling if they were done in a way in which we could interact with the originator.
'be excellent unto each other ' ( from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)

omendata

Ask the landlord!