Landlord being unreasonable?

sirjojo16

Just wanted to get some advice if I'm being unreasonable or my landlord is.
I moved into a flat last month, it was advertised on Gumtree but through a letting agent.
The day i signed the tennancy agreement i paid cash to the letting agent the rent (500), deposit (600) and the "set up fee for deposit protection scheme" (30).
At this point the letting agent advised me they don't manage the property at all, all they do is find the Tennant and do referencing (which cost me 375!) and that the landlord likes the rent paid in cash.
I wasn't overly concerned at this point, thinking I could either pop in and pay the agents the money the day before or hopefully set up a standing order for a couple days before its due.
So, as my rent is due Monday, I went in today with the cash only to be told that as they don't manage the property he will call round on rent day to collect it!. I said I was away for a few days and could I set up a standing order for future and do an immediate bank transfer.
She called him while I was there (I have no contact details for him in case of any problems) and he said no, leave it in the kitchen, he will knock and if there is no answer he would let himself in and collect it!
Now I don't have anything to hide, but I'm quite a private person and not happy with this arrangement at all. I have been renting for 20 years and always paid by standing order,is this a common thing?
Its not always convenient to get to the bank before they close or to have to draw money out for two days from an atm and also I work shifts and some nights / very early starts so sometimes sleep during the day and could do without the hassle of waiting for him or having him coming in while I'm asleep to pick up his rent.
Sorry for the long post just wanted to add the facts, would be very grateful for any information anyone can provide about what rights I have to just pay my rent by standing order and not have to worry about him letting himself in.
Needless to say have heard nothing from the dps...
Thanks

marksoton

sirjojo16 wrote: »

and that the landlord likes the rent paid in cash.

I bet he does. Come on, alarm bells maybe?

FutureGirl

They had already advised you they don't manage the property when you paid the deposit and referencing fee's.

I don't think it is common for a landlord to want rent in cash these days, unless they aren't declaring it.

He cannot just come in and collect the money if you aren't there, and you don't agree to this.

What does your tenancy agreement say about making payment of rent? My states a nominated bank account I have to pay it into.

gettingtheresometime

Alarm bells would ring for me if you don't have the landlord's details because, as you say, how do you get in contact with him if there's an emergency.

It sounds like the rent is wanted in cash so it can be undeclared to HMRC.

I'd also be concerned about him just turning up

baldelectrician

This sounds really dodgy


In Scotland you can look up online and find the landlord registration details.


Contact your local council and ask them if they have a register and if there is ask if your LL is on it


You should be getting a receipt from your landlord detailing his name / company name, address etc


I would call HMRC and ask them or if you suspect fraud use this LINK
https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/TEH_IRF?dept-name=TEH&sub-dept-name=&location=39&origin=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk


I would also ask the letting agent where the deposit is registered and you can use this information to find the landlords details (address for notices etc)

sirjojo16

Yeah I was in a hurry to move after a split up, and this place ticked all the boxes, so probably I wasn't really thinking straight. When they said they don't manage it it didn't occur to me at the time I wouldnt be paying the rent to them as I've always dealt with proper letting agents. The "tennancy agreement" is just 3 pages with my details, his details (a p.o box!!) and a few general terms. For rent it doesn't specify how it's paid, only that it's due on the 15th each month.
Thanks

alumende27

Just FYI - Assuming it's not one of these mailboxes etc., style po boxes, you can ask royal mail to give you the name of the person and the full address that sits behind a P.O. Box.

sirjojo16

Thanks. I can only assume he is doing it for tax avoidance, which I completely disagree with, but I live in a dodgy part of town and am very wary of grassing him up. Don't know what options I have really

sirjojo16

Thanks dsdhall, wasn't aware of that.

Pixie5740

Avoidance, more like evasion.

What address is in your tenancy agreement for the serving of notices?

Even when landlords use a letting agency, your contract is always with the landlord and not the letting agency. Some landlords opt for a fully managed service whilst some opt for a tenant finder service only. Nothing dodgy in that, each to their own. What is dodgy is that your LL is insisting on cash only and thinks it's reasonable just to let himself into your home at a time that suits him to pick up the cash.

G_M

Has the landlord given you, in writing, an address "for serving notices"? It's the law, and without this you do not need to pay rent. (Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 section 48). It may be on the tenancy agreement.

The address provided may be his home, c/o the agent (unlikely if they don't manage), his mum, or anywhere else he chooses in the UK.

Write him a polite letter and send it to that address.

Dear Mr Landlord,

Thank you so much for agreeing to let your property to me. I am so happy with the property which meets my needs, and I am now settling in nicely.

I understand from the agents (Justfindem & Co) that you prefer to receive the rent in cash. I have to say this is most inconvenient, and I am unhappy about carrying such a large amount of money around from the bank until it is collected.

I also must point out that my lifestyle means I cannot commit to being at home at specific times to pay you and receive your receipt in return.

So far as leaving the money in the property for you to come in and collect yourself is concerned, this is obviously impractical due to the need for me to receive a receipt.

Whilst I am sure we can each treat the other with respect and trust, it would be most unfortunate if, for instance, any misunderstanding arose. For instance if I mis-counted and left too little, you would understandably be unhappy and yet I would have no way of checking and rectifying the problem.

It would therefore be far more sensible if I were to set up a Standing Order for the rent to be paid automatically on my rent payment date. this would

* avoid any potential misunderstandings such as above
* remove the need for me to withdraw and carry around the cash
* remove the need for you to make the journey to the property and
* remove the need for us to liaise over potentially problematic collection dates

Could you therefore kindly let me have you bank details and I shall set this up?

Alternatively, if I do not hear from you, I shall post a monthly cheque 2 days in advance of my rent due date to this address.

Yours sincerely,

sirjojo

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I assume the LL or agent provided you with
* government leaflet "how to rent"
* EPC
* Gas Safety Certificate if there's gas
* smoke detectors on each floor
* CO alarm if there's solid fuel heating.

?????????????

If you were given an inventory and it has any errors/misses any damage in the property, the letter would be a good opportunity to raise this, as well as any issues like non-functionig equipment.

but politely!