Urgent housing advice regarding letting agent and landlord

djpleasure

Please can I get some urgent advice in regards to the following:

I live in a private rented (Through letting agent) 1 bedroom GFF. Initially was living alone. My contract was not renewed last time due to so called imminent building work, so i guess its periodic.

A while back my health deteriorated so much so as I now have a live-in carer. I notified Council, for reasons of housing benefit etc, having a carer does not affect this.

I did not know I had to notify landlord, after a recent property inspection i received an email asking if anyone else is living here, as landlady needs to know for insurance purposes as property currently only insured for one person, so I explained that I have a live-in carer.

Now i have received another email from letting agency:

===========================


As you now have your carer living with you, she will need to be added to your Tenancy agreement.

This will prevent you from remaining in breach of your Tenancy agreement. It is also required as you Landlords Insurance is only valid for one occupant.

Your Landlord is keen to know how this is progressing and has requested that she is kept updated as she would like to have this sorted out as quickly as possible.

Therefore in order to move this forward we will require the following;

Her,
Full name
Date Of Birth
Email Address
Employment status and Job Title
Income per anum

There is also the fee of £222.00 which will cover the referencing, the amendment to the security deposit and your new revised contract.

This can be paid in to

Account Number – ********
Sort Code – ** ** **
Reference – Your Address

================================

I responded back with:

I am a bit confused, I do not have a proper contract as the Landlady did not renew, pending work on building.
As you can imagine, I am not prepared to pay £222 to cover referencing when I do not have a proper contract with current landlord.
This is a live-in carer, not a spouse, partner etc. I have no alternative other than to seek some professional advice, as a carer, I cannot see what her income and personal details have to do with letting, with the exception of insurance.
I will try to get the first available appointment with CAB


Any help would be appreciated. Its bad enough not having a proper contract, without this hassle. £222, I have no way of finding, as it is i have to try to find shortfall in HB

marksoton

It's a 1 bed flat, where does your live in carer sleep?

theartfullodger

You do have a firm solid contract with your landlord: Same terms as last fixed term, but continuing as periodic (except any clauses about notice no longer apply).

You do not have to agree to anything or provide any further info about carer or anyone else: Equally, landlord can issue a s21 notice which will eventually get you evicted. Landlord does not need a reason, can evict you for no reason at all, even of perfect tenant. You need to choose what you want.

I would be surprised if the insurance specified only one occupant and doubt the premium would increase for 2 occupants.

djpleasure

marksoton wrote: »

It's a 1 bed flat, where does your live in carer sleep?

I sleep on the sofa, she sleeps in the bedroom, not ideal, but have to do what you have to do, until such point as I succeed bidding on housing list.

marksoton

djpleasure wrote: »

I sleep on the sofa, she sleeps in the bedroom, not ideal, but have to do what you have to do, until such point as I succeed bidding on housing list.

Ok, fair enough, was just a bit perplexed....

I'd suggest this is the agent trying it on big time. Do you have any contact with your LL direct?

djpleasure

No contact with LL, but I know the landlady can be awkward and a little stuck up anyway, has multiple properties managed by agents

iammumtoone

it sounds like this situation could be a blessing to the OP

If you they don't pay or agree to the new terms. then get an S21. Would this give them higher priority for getting the LA 2 bed housing they clearly need.

marksoton

Well whoever is driving it they're idiots.

If you don't think you'll get a council awarded place soon i'd start looking for another property.

Mossfarr

Your carer does not have to be added to your tenancy. The landlord can just give permission for her to live there with you, she would not be required to provide references or income details as she wouldn't have any rights as a tenant.
Highly unlikely that the Landlord insurance will be affected by a second occupant - unless its a HMO - in which case her presence may exceed the total number of occupants allowed for the premises. (I'm a landlord and I have never been asked by insurance providers how many people occupy my properties).
If I were you I'd just let them evict you - that way the local authority will have to rehouse you in a property more approporiate to your needs.

djpleasure

I have been looking for the last 12 months but to no avail. I have made bids on several and got no where, Cat B (I am Applicant With Very High Or High Medical Priority) Assessed mobility level:3

I have also been looking in private sector, unfortunately private landlords not through agencies are extremely scarce round here.

I mailed multiple letting agents and am on their list, but nothing has been offered, or nothing suitable or within budget

I have two small Yorkies, so in many cases pets are not allowed. They are not just pets to me, I suffer also from mental health, the dogs are very therapeutic, so no chance of them going. I am Social Phobic, Agoraphobic and recently my diagnosis of depression has been amended to Chronic Dysthymia, all this going on is seriously affecting me.

I also need Ground floor, not to mention the fact I am on HB, which again rules out many options.

If I do not agree terms and as a result S21 served, this has potential of being looked at as making yourself intentionally homeless?

dacouch

Mossfarr wrote: »

Your carer does not have to be added to your tenancy. The landlord can just give permission for her to live there with you, she would not be required to provide references or income details as she wouldn't have any rights as a tenant.
Highly unlikely that the Landlord insurance will be affected by a second occupant - unless its a HMO - in which case her presence may exceed the total number of occupants allowed for the premises. (I'm a landlord and I have never been asked by insurance providers how many people occupy my properties).
If I were you I'd just let them evict you - that way the local authority will have to rehouse you in a property more approporiate to your needs.

Amuses me the Landlord states the Insurance is only valid for one person but pay us a referencing fee and amazingly the insurance is now valid.

Strong smell of B.S