My landlord wants me to lie and say I am a Lodger – Help!

My landlord wants me to lie and say I am a Lodger – Help!

9:53 AM, 11th November 2014, About 10 years ago 25

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Hello everyone! I am renting my apartment through an estate agent but have never met him, I only knew his name! Today he called me saying that his apartment belongs to a housing association! My landlord wants me to lie and say I am a Lodger

I pay the full amount of rent, have never seen the landlord and today he said the council wanted to speak to me but he never gave my phone number for privacy.

He is saying to the council that he lives there at the weekends, and asked me to do the same if they call!

Isn’t it illegal?

What should I do?

Many thanks.

Giuliano


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Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

12:56 PM, 17th November 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "17/11/2014 - 11:49":

I suspect, in this instance, the letting agent has been duped by the landlord and the tenant has either naively fallen for signing up to something he didn't understand or isn't telling us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Either way .........

I'm out

Neil Robb

13:15 PM, 17th November 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi mark love it

Giuliano Kolling

18:37 PM, 18th November 2014, About 10 years ago

Thanks everyone for the help! The truth is that I naively signed this contract! I did not pay attention! But as I said, they NEVER mention that I'll be a lodger! And then as I said, the landlord called me about this issue, I went to the estate agent and they said they did not know about it. They said the landlord has permission to have a lodger and I believe that, but He can't be my lodger if I pay full rent, all the bills and I have never met him in person?He never ever came here since I got the apt! Mark, as you said a solicitor would be expensive and also I don't have the energy to deal with this estate agent anymore! I tried to give them some responsability with what's happening but they don't care, they just said that they are not helping me with the moving, they don't have another apartment and I should move if not happy! And believe me, I would'nt spend my time asking for help If i was not telling the truth!

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

18:45 PM, 18th November 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Giuliano Kolling" at "18/11/2014 - 18:37":

OK here's what to do.

Find out which redress scheme or Ombudsman scheme the agent belongs to. If necessary ask a friend to pretend to be a landlord looking to let his property. When you have this information submit a complaint. If they are not a member of a redress scheme they are breaking the law so report them to trading standards for that and give them details of your complaint.

Here's a link to a website which a lot of landlords and tenants use to check out agents. It's a sort of Trip Advisor but for agents instead of hotels and pubs >>> http://www.allagents.co.uk/

Please let us know what you find out.

Also, if moving out is inconvenient for you, seek advice and help from Shelter and make sure you tell them what has happened. Show them your lodger agreement and all the bills as proof.

Good luck!
.

Giuliano Kolling

20:37 PM, 18th November 2014, About 10 years ago

Thank you very much everyone and thanks Mark, I'll do that!

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