Is it me or my landlord crazy!!??!!

[Munch]

Just about to walk out of the door to the CAB now, no I havent posted it elsewhere but will have a look, thank you x

[Munch]

Ok

CAB have said they couldnt see me til Monday, I explained I have to sign this agreement by 6pm today as the LL is coming to collect it, as the housing person couldnt see me they went and asked her what I should do and they have said ...... dont sign it, and dont be there when he calls, I have an appointment with the housing specialist on Monday!

[chris]

I'd not be bothered about being in there - say that you need more time to digest it and get professional advice.

It's not being unreasonable, he cannot demand you sign there and then - if he kicks up a fuss say that the CAB have told you not to sign it until Monday. He may think about things differently then.

[zazen999]

Munch. You really need to post this somewhere to get some proper advice.

Try the MSE housing forum. There will be eejits on there but there are some decent people with a very good understanding of the law. Don't ever mention benefits or anything on there, stick to the issue at hand.

[Munch]

I cant seem to post on MSE, I have registered and done everything it tells me and still keeps telling me to register! grrrrr

[Munch]

Panic over............. im in!!

[bearded bloke]

Munch,I have signed rental agreements as a landlords witness quite a few times over the last 10 years or so.The rental party has never been present & as far as I an aware does not need to be,all I was doing was witnessing the fact that the landlord has signed the document in my presence.
I did however have to also include my full name & my FULL address in legible block writing,if those are not present on your document then I am sure it is not a legal & binding agreement.

So with that in mind I would be giving it back & asking for that information to be added before signing

[Two_Sheds]

He has changed wording in our tenancy that sort of makes it look like we are responsible for repair

yes, I suspected he was up to something sneaky like that ~ trying to pressure you into signing it ASAP too so you didn't get advice


Go out for the weekend chuck, don't answer the door, and DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT IT either

[Glutton4...]

^ ^ Yup, wot TS said! ^ ^

Nasty sneaky devious bleeeeep!

[Munch]

He is now coming round to collect the signed tenancy agreement on Monday evening, which means I have time to get to my appointment with CAB!

Apparently I had a family problem and could not get home tonight!!

[Glutton4...]

All I can say to that, is, when faced with devious and sneaky people, you must employ devious and sneaky methods!

[Two_Sheds]

You don't even need a new Tenancy Agreement: if you have a shorthold one in the first place, it just keeps rolling over (it becomes a periodic tenancy ~ you don’t need to sign a further contract and you continue paying rent at the existing level, but your landlord does have the legal right to increase the rate) .Greedy landlords are putting up rents

"If the landlord does nothing (ie, doesn't give you another TA), the tenancy will automatically run on from one rent period to the next on the same terms as the preceding fixed term shorthold tenancy – called a statutory periodic tenancy. The tenancy will continue to run on this basis until you leave" http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...pdf/138289.pdf

A new tenancy agreement is nearly always accompanied by a claim for expenses from the LL ~ an admin fee. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. It costs pennies to print off a new agreement, so why does it incur a typical £35 admin fee? Every six or 12 months? (money in his pocket).


Do i need a new tenancy agreement

A new TA every year is useful for the landlord, because it enables them to put the rent up ~ they can't put the rent up if you're in the fixed term period (your TA might state you have a fixed term of the first 6 months): http://www.upad.co.uk/blog/2010/02/w...t-the-rent-up/

It can be useful for the tenant too, because they get a new fixed term if that is included. However it also ties you in for a further 6 months, or whatever, whereas if you are on the periodic (rolling) tenancy you can just give a month's notice to leave (LL has to give you 2 months notice to quit, if I remember rightly).

[Two_Sheds]

As to repairs:

"By law, your landlord has a number of repairing responsibilities, including repairing and keeping in working order:-
~ the structure and exterior of the premises, including drains, gutters and external pipes
~ the water and gas pipes and electric wiring (including, for example, taps and sockets)
~ the basins, sinks, baths and toilets
~ fixed heaters (for example, gas fires) and water heaters (but not gas or electric cookers).

Your landlord has these duties by law, no matter what is written in the tenancy agreement."Renting from a private landlord

[Two_Sheds]

Re: witnesses

"In England and Wales, strictly speaking, there is no need to have signatures witnessed if the tenancy agreement is for a term of less than three years." Tenancy Agreements FAQ | lawpack.co.uk

[Two_Sheds]

Lots and lots of info available on the Netty, but this is a good basic guide to have: A Guide For Tenants