Any legal wigs on tenancies?

[Wiggins]

Recently, the wife and I were made redundant but fortunately we have now found more employment.

We rent a house and have always paid the rent on time apart from one month in Feb where we called them to ask if we can not pay the rent and pay double in March. We had to wait for redundancy payments and all other money was either tied up or would take a further month to get anyway. The letting agent agreed and we paid 2 months rent on time the next month.

As we had explained to the letting agent that we had both been made redundant and also that we had then fallen into jobs literally days afterwards, they called and asked for us to provide contracts of employment.

Now we have been here nearly 2 years, always paid rent smack on time apart from Feb and they are asking for this.

It says nothing in the contracts or the offer letters when we moved in and as the wife and I are very carefull when it comes to confidential data, do we in fact have to provide these?

Cheers

 

[B@Th*nG]

they aren't going to throw you out if you just don't will they? just leave it, it'll be fine!

B@

 

[Wiggins]

Well we have just signed for a further 6 months and have not had the acceptane letter back from the landlord yet.

Just wondering if they can refuse the further 6 months just because we won't provide contracts.

 

[Fourstar]

They could decide not to renew your contract but they would have to serve you a notice to that effect with the notice period required by your contract. If you receive no communication the contract will automatically roll on. They can't just kick you out.

The letting agent wants to know if you are lying and a few months down the line may become unable to pay. If they know you are not employed they will start planning to get rid of you when they can.

Have your employers draft proof of employment letters and give those to your letting agent. The agent has no business pawing through the inns and outs of your contract and remuneration package.

 

[Wiggins]

Well we were debating getting a confirmation of employment letter drafted.

They cannot think we are lying. They already have a statement from me a few months ago showing I have thousands sat in an account which I unfortunately have to give 4 weeks notice to draw on.

I understand that they need to be sure they will be getting their rent but they had that when we were credit checked and showed statements with thousands sat in there.

I'm just only going to give information about myself if it means I am bound to by their conditions and it says nothing to say this.

 

[big_white_dog84]

I'd be interested in the answer to this. I'm kind of being evicted by my landlord, and have been offered another place by the same letting agent. Although I've been with them for over 2 years they're still wanting to re-reference me, involving them contacting my employer. They're also looking for me to tell them how much I earn, apparently to make sure I can pay my rent. I've never missed a rent payment in the whole time I've been with them in my current property, and I don't think it's any of their business what I earn. I'd like to know where I stand if I don't agree to give the information.

 

[Amnesia]

if they are going to rent you properties worth in excess of 100,000 pounds....surely some personal questions should be expected.

as for kicking you out...they have to give you 2 months notice.

 

[Wiggins]

I'd be interested in the answer to this. I'm kind of being evicted by my landlord, and have been offered another place by the same letting agent. Although I've been with them for over 2 years they're still wanting to re-reference me, involving them contacting my employer. They're also looking for me to tell them how much I earn, apparently to make sure I can pay my rent. I've never missed a rent payment in the whole time I've been with them in my current property, and I don't think it's any of their business what I earn. I'd like to know where I stand if I don't agree to give the information.

Well, as you mention it, we were told that if we do not provide this information then we will also be re-referenced at a cost of £75.

I understand for you as its a new tenancy, the landlaord of you're new rental needs this information so you will be re-referenced.

My argument to my letting agents is that we have been paying and will carry on paying the rent on time and as such we have had no new tenancy so they do not have the right to ask for any other information. I am currently reading a little piece of legislation that advise tenants that they should only be asked for proof of a new job if they have either fallen into financial difficulty not only with rent but also with debts. We have neither so it looks like they can go run.

I am in no way trying to get out of anything due to lies. I just do not like giving confidential information to someone unless I legally have to.

 

[Fourstar]

First I should say I'm a little tipsy so take my word with a grain of salt

Well we have just signed for a further 6 months and have not had the acceptane letter back from the landlord yet.

Just wondering if they can refuse the further 6 months just because we won't provide contracts.

Did the agents not sign at the same time? I'm not well aquanted with how agents work.

Assuming they didn't, after the initial six month fixed term of your contract it would automatically become a periodic contract.

To be removed you would have to be served with a section 21 notice which gives minimum 2 month notice (I assume you pay monthly?).

A section 21 notice can be issued without reason but only after the fixed period expires.

They can get rid of you but not without hassle. Maybe you can negotiate with them? Especially if it is now more of a buyers market with rents supposedly falling.

I'd be interested in the answer to this. I'm kind of being evicted by my landlord, and have been offered another place by the same letting agent. Although I've been with them for over 2 years they're still wanting to re-reference me, involving them contacting my employer. They're also looking for me to tell them how much I earn, apparently to make sure I can pay my rent. I've never missed a rent payment in the whole time I've been with them in my current property, and I don't think it's any of their business what I earn. I'd like to know where I stand if I don't agree to give the information.

They can ask for whatever they like. They could demand the colour of your pubes but it's up to you to decide whether you want to divulge said information or find a different agent/landlord. I know it can be hard when they all seem to be exploitative crooks

How exactly are you being kind of evicted? Is it legal?

 

[moremoney]

You can be asked anything, weather or not you provide an answer is entirely up to you.

Knowing that you are already in said property means you don't have to answer their questions.
In other words no.

Also you cannot be evicted unless they intend to use the building for something other than letting it out.

A furnished property means you have less rights than an unfurnished property.

These are just short answers and not set in stone.

 

[Morba]

they are checking that you can afford to pay before waiting a few months with no payments.
just provide the proof of contract. not hard!

 

[Morba]

I'd be interested in the answer to this. I'm kind of being evicted by my landlord, and have been offered another place by the same letting agent. Although I've been with them for over 2 years they're still wanting to re-reference me, involving them contacting my employer. They're also looking for me to tell them how much I earn, apparently to make sure I can pay my rent. I've never missed a rent payment in the whole time I've been with them in my current property, and I don't think it's any of their business what I earn. I'd like to know where I stand if I don't agree to give the information.

thats different. you are going to sign a new contract on a new place, its being dilligent having you checked again for the new landlords benefit.

 

[Fourstar]

Also you cannot be evicted unless they intend to use the building for something other than letting it out.

You can be evicted without reason after the fixed period of an assured shorthold tenancy has expired assuming the statutory notice period and procedure is adhered to.

 

[moremoney]

You can be evicted without reason after the fixed period of an assured shorthold tenancy has expired assuming the statutory notice period and procedure is adhered to.

Not quite right but for arguments sake.

Yes but you can drag this out for months........which then gives you lots of time to look for another place.
Do not worry about references because you are not allowed to give negative references, or you were'nt when i was renting.

Things may be diff now.

 

[big_white_dog84]

How exactly are you being kind of evicted? Is it legal?

I think the landlord is in financial difficulties, and is having to sell his existing (bigger) home to move back into this one. I don't think he's doing this lightly because he's got two toddlers, and this house is never big enough for a family of 4. The letting agent has told me in no uncertain terms that I'm well within my rights to see out my contract (lasts til August), but that they'll help me move if I decide to. To be fair to the letting agent they have helped me a lot - found me a new nice place, accepted my offer of 10% reduction in rent compared to asking price, let me keep my cats, waived my new reference fee and made sure I was never paying two rents at the same time over the moving period.
My grievance is that depite giving them no problems at all for over two years (including not kicking up a fuss when the gas inspector left keys in the front door one day when nobody was in), they're still demanding to see proof of earnings etc. I think I'll be saying no, and if they kick up a fuss I'll be seeing out my contract til August.

On a slightly different note, what counts as 'fair wear and tear' on household items? Two of the wooden venetian blinds in here are damaged - their open/close and 'stay up' mechanisms have broken over the duration of my tennancy. Should I replace them before I move, or will I get awy with 'wear and tear'?