how to check a landlord on the land registry

kpoulos

hi everyone, any help will be appreciated.

I moved UK a while ago, my work contract covers my accommodation expenses, however I need to supply a legal contract document with monthly invoices.

I found a young landlord on gumtree, loved the property, signed the contract and moved in, I made it clear at the beginning that I need proper invoices every month, he said it is fine, he also asked me to pay the rent cash in hand, which I agreed to.

Later, I was notified by my company that the landlord might not be eligible to let the property, and the fact that I'm paying him cash also rang some bells that he might not be declaring the income to the Inland Revenue, which means that my company will have a problem proving my accommodation as expenses for them.

They recommended me checking with the land registry if he has the right to let the property, I pulled the report, it shoes his name on my property, and it shows the lenders name - a bank - but I can't understand how can I know from the report whether he is permitted to let the property or not.

Thank you

HappyMJ

kpoulos wrote: »

hi everyone, any help will be appreciated.

I moved UK a while ago, my work contract covers my accommodation expenses, however I need to supply a legal contract document with monthly invoices.

I found a young landlord on gumtree, loved the property, signed the contract and moved in, I made it clear at the beginning that I need proper invoices every month, he said it is fine, he also asked me to pay the rent cash in hand, which I agreed to.

Later, I was notified by my company that the landlord might not be eligible to let the property, and the fact that I'm paying him cash also rang some bells that he might not be declaring the income to the Inland Revenue, which means that my company will have a problem proving my accommodation as expenses for them.

They recommended me checking with the land registry if he has the right to let the property, I pulled the report, it shoes his name on my property, and it shows the lenders name - a bank - but I can't understand how can I know from the report whether he is permitted to let the property or not.

Thank you

Invoices for what?

Your tenancy agreement and your bank statement is your proof that you pay rent.

There is no such department as Inland Revenue that closed 11 years ago so you've been here quite a long time if you're calling it the Inland Revenue.

Kynthia

He owns the property so that is good. You do hear about fraudsters who manage to let places they don't own or have the right to let and then they run off with your money.

Whether he has permission from his lender to let the property, or whether he declares the income to the HMRC, frankly I can't see how it is any of your or your company's concern. That's not to say I condone either of those two actions, just that if the guy who repaired your car didn't declare his income would it change the fact you still needed to pay his invoice?

If you have invoices and/or a tenancy agreement, and receipts for the cash you hand over, plus you can supply evidence that you actually lived there to your company (like your council tax bill and/or utilities bills in your name to that address) then I can't see a problem.

kpoulos

I moved from USA, its called Inland Revenue there, and HMRC here.

kpoulos

All the bills are in his name, the agreement is including the bills. He comes weekly to collect his letters.

thesaint

I don't see what difference it makes to your company.

The fact that they asked you to check the land registry for proof he has to let shows that they do not know what they are talking about, as it doesn't show that.

theartfullodger

A landlord does not need to own the place: He just must have authority to rent it out...

HappyMJ

kpoulos wrote: »

All the bills are in his name, the agreement is including the bills. He comes weekly to collect his letters.

Return the letters back to the sender. Your landlord has no right to them. If your landlord wants them tell your landlord to set up a Royal Mail redirection. Why aren't you paying the bills?

silvercar

If the Land Registry shows an address for the landlord that is not the property address and there is a mortgage, that is a sign that the lender is aware that the property is let.

The reverse is not the case. If a landlord used to live in the property then moved out, he may have consent to let from his lender, but the Land Registry may not show his new address. Perfectly legal.

theartfullodger

kpoulos wrote: »

..... he also asked me to pay the rent cash in hand, which I agreed to.......

Alarms bells number 1.

In future only pay by bank transfer or cheque. What does the tenancy say about how rent is paid?? Unless he gives you a signed receipt, no more cash payments: He's fiddling his tax, £25 to an agreed housing charity of he isn't....

kpoulos wrote: »

..... He comes weekly to collect his letters.

Alarm bells number 2..

He probably has no permission to let. He's on the fiddle again.. He probably has no landlord insurance.. Why do you care?? Well, if the place burns down, your visitors 'orribly burned, the insurance won;t pay out, visitors ruined...

Ask him calmly & politely, in writing, for proof he has permission to rent, copy of gas safety certificate & copy of his landlord's insurance policy.

G_M

When did the tenancy start? After October 2015? If so, the law says you must be given:

* Gov. leaflet How to rent
* EPC
* Gas certificate (if there's gas)
* Deposit prescribed Information (if you paid a deposit)

Did you get these?

If the tenancy started before Oct 2015, the leaflet is not mandaory.

The fact that:
* you pay cash and
* he uses the property address for his mail and
* the utility bills are in his name not yours (what about council tax?)
strongly suggests that either:

* he's not paying tax, and/or
* his mortgage does not permit renting, and/or
* his insurance is not suitable

You could report him to:

* https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-tax-evasion

* his mortgage lender

As for the question you asked, the Land Registry does not provide the information you require. It will show who owns the property, and whether there is a Charge (mortgage) on it. That is all.

ps - is the tenancy in your name, or in the name of your company? If your name, did the landlord check your immigration status as required by law since 1st Feb 2016 (if earlier, landlord did not beed to do this)