Landlord being unreasonable?

[Deleted User]

I agree, if I was in this situation, with only a PO box address for contact, I'd be worrying not about HMRC problems so much (although this is a concern) but whether he actually owned the property, was renting illegally etc - is it a council property he is renting out and already receiving HB for? Is he subletting and shouldn't be?

Definitely change the lock. LL won't be happy but he can't do much and I doubt will do much as then he has to explain why he is doing it this way. There's no real legal reason.., much easier to receive rent via DD etc.

I hope you are able to sort this out.

tealady

Hi if you go to the land registry website it will cost approx £3 to download the owners details.
As GM has pointed out if the person who you are paying rent to is the owner he can't evict you at the moment as he hasn't given you the right paperwork. If he is NOT the owner you need to sort this PDQ.

G_M

tealady wrote: »

Hi if you go to the land registry website it will cost approx £3 to download the owners details.
As GM has pointed out if the person who you are paying rent to is the owner he can't evict you at the moment as he hasn't given you the right paperwork. If he is NOT the owner you need to sort this PDQ.

But don't jump to conclusions!

Just because the landlord's name is not the same as the name on the property Title, does not mean he is not entitled to let the property.

He may be quite validly sub-letting.

Admittedly the cash payments combined with PO address are warning signs, but in themselves they prove nothing.

nkkingston

Keep an eye out for post in his name, especially important stuff like bank letters. On it's own, possibly an oversight, but combined with rent in cash, usually a sign a landlord hasn't asked their mortgage company for consent to let.

Rosemary7391

sirjojo16 wrote: »

I don't know if he owns the property, I assume he does, I will make some checks tomorrow.
The thought of him cheating the system, and me abetting him sickens me to the stomach and I will certainly grass him up once I'm well clear of this place and his dodgy dealings.
Thanks G_M I think I will change the lock, he will only know I have if he attempts to enter my property illegally!

You could add a line to the letter that you send saying that because you work nights you really need to have agreed times if he needs to come to the house for any reason. That shouldn't need spelling out to a LL but at least he can't (reasonably) complain about it if he's warned. Him finding out about the lock change would justify the changing!

I'd certainly not give cash to someone whom I'd never met - way too much possibility for trouble. If he won't co operate then cheque by post it is - and the annoyance of making sure there is enough in the account that if he cashes them all at once after 6 months it can still be paid... such a pain! Keep good records, I fear you may need them.

HouseBuyer77

If you're feeling paranoid take a picture of the cheques you send him and get proof of postage from the post office.

That way should the LL attempt to take you to court for non-payment of rent you have evidence you attempted to pay it. If they don't cash the cheques then that's their perogative.

agrinnall

sirjojo16 wrote: »

Thanks G_M I think I will change the lock, he will only know I have if he attempts to enter my property illegally!

There are circumstances in which the LL is allowed to enter the property without you being present, so not necessarily illegally. But I'd still change the lock and cross that hurdle if and when you come to it.

KingS6

sirjojo16 wrote: »

I don't know if he owns the property, I assume he does, I will make some checks tomorrow.
The thought of him cheating the system, and me abetting him sickens me to the stomach and I will certainly grass him up once I'm well clear of this place and his dodgy dealings.
Thanks G_M I think I will change the lock, he will only know I have if he attempts to enter my property illegally!

Some security cameras, either overt or covert wouldn't go amiss either. What if they send a goon around to collect instead of themselves (think The Soprano's)? How else will you know for certain whether someone attempts to enter your property when you're not there? You might not be able to rely on neighbours and for all you know they could be shills.

DoaM

Many many years ago (45+) landlords collecting rent in person in cash was very common. (I recall times when we all had to hide behind the sofa and pretend we were out when the rent man came as our parents were short and didn't have that week's rent money to hand).

But I guess things have changed a LOT since those days.

hazyjo

The cash collecting bit reminded me of this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5504895


Bet the deposit won't be protected...


Jx