How do i find out who my Landlord is?

FatLondon

I am currently renting a property in a large block of flats in London and have paid rent up front for two years through a premium lease. The time has now come to renew.

With what seems like the inevitable downturn in the housing market i have therefore offered the same deal, however the agent claims that this is now not satisfactory and is attempting to get a significant increase.

Understandably, i think this is completely unjustified based on current market conditions and believe it is nothing more than the agent trying to squeeze as much out of me as possible.

With this in mind i would like to contact the Landlord of the property directly as i think they will be more likely to listen to reason. Naturally, the agent will not give me these details. Does anyone therefore know what the best way is for me to trace the actual owner of the property?

clutton_2

"". Naturally, the agent will not give me these details."" - i believe that the landlords name HAS to appear on your tenancy agreement. - ask this question on https://www.landlordzone.co.uk forum - there are some serious legal eagles on there.........

Lavendyr

Agent is legally required to provide the details of the landlord to you within 21 days of your request. If they do not, they are breaking the law. Write to them pointing this out.

TheDink

Under the 1985 and 1987 Landlord and Tenant Acts, you are entitled to know the landlord's name and address. If you put a request in writing to the agent for this information, they must provide it within 21 days.

moneysavinmonkey

as others have said, you have a legal right to know the name of your landlord.

May sound obvious but have you checked your tenancy agreement - should be in there!

pinkshoes

FatLondon wrote: »

I am currently renting a property in a large block of flats in London and have paid rent up front for two years through a premium lease. The time has now come to renew.

With what seems like the inevitable downturn in the housing market i have therefore offered the same deal, however the agent claims that this is now not satisfactory and is attempting to get a significant increase.

I think you might find that this works the other way round, and a downturn in the housing mark will make rents go UP and not down!! Tenants often find themselves being given notice to move out if the Landlord plans to sell, so getting yourself a 2 year contract is a good idea!

liz545

Can I just ask why you pay your annual rent upfront? I'd be concerned that the landlord might get the property repossessed, and then you'd be quite significantly out of pocket, with no legal right to remain and little chance of seeing the money again.

maa299

liz545 wrote: »

Can I just ask why you pay your annual rent upfront? I'd be concerned that the landlord might get the property repossessed, and then you'd be quite significantly out of pocket, with no legal right to remain and little chance of seeing the money again.

Premium leases are unique to the UK and are a tax efficient way for a company to pay for executive housing.
The basic idea of a premium lease is that a company leases rather than rents a property from the owner. Therefore instead of becoming a landlord, the owner becomes a lessor, and instead of becoming a tenant, the company becomes a lessee, and the employee and family (who actually live in the property) become the licencee.
Basically the company pays a peppercorn rent of eg £1 and then a premium of the entire agreed rental price on day one. Usually the lease is long term (being no less than one year long) which means that on day one of the lease, the owner receives, for example, three years rent in one go.
A specialist company/solicitor needs to be on board to compile a premium lease as it has to be done effectively so that the company does not incur any penalties with the Inland Revenue. However, the general terms of the contract are very similar to a normal tenancy agreement with the usual responsibilities of both the lessor (landlord) and lessee (tenant) that you would expect.
Premium leases can provide benefits for the property owners, as well as the companies who want to lease the house, but it doesn’t suit everyone as they have to obtain mortgage consent and not all residential mortgages accept the situation.
Because of the nature of the lease, there are no break clauses for either the lessor or lessee during the term.

SouthCoast

A £3 search at the Land Registry should reveal the owner of the flat.

MissMoneypenny

From Shelter

"Giving the tenant certain information All landlords have to give their tenants their name and a UK contact address. If the property is managed by a letting or property agent, they must also provide you with the landlord's full name and address.

Any requests should be made in writing, you should also keep a copy of the letter and send it by recorded delivery, if you want proof of postage. If you don't get a reply in writing within 21 days of them receiving your letter, the landlord is committing a criminal offence.

Your next step could be to report your landlord to your local council's tenancy relations officer (TRO). TROs can get involved in disputes between landlord and tenants and can even prosecute the person who does not provide this information."

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/renting_and_leasehold/rights_and_responsibilities/landlords_responsibilities