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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu -father wants me to commit fraud!!?

186 replies

pumpkinsweetie · 25/08/2012 23:32

As some of you may know, my father is also my landlord. Boiler was serviced 4 days ago and then condemned. We have been without heating and hot water for over a week due to boiler being declared dangerous by gas meter engineer.
Landlord/df came over yesterday, promised to fit an immersion and get me electric radiators until he has the money to complete it (apparently £4000). So fine and dandy thought atleast we were getting somewhere (sigh)..........until today: he has rung me and asked me to pretend i own the house so i can get a grant for the boiler!!

Wtaf: my own df is now expecting ME to commit fraud to save his own neck. Mentioned immersion to him, he said maybe monday, maybe tues.

Even if i went ahead with this crazed idea, it will not work as im not in receipt of any of the benefits needed to get one!

I obviously said to him i will be found out, he said "no you won't they won't look into who owns the house"?!!- knowing full well i recieve an amount of hb, of course they will know my name and address and know im RENTING
Wwyd

OP posts:
Sallyingforth · 26/08/2012 16:46

OP it's not your job to get the boiler replaced, it's the landlord's.
That's what you pay rent for!

He should be arranging and paying for it, and he should be making interim arrangements to keep you warm in the meantime.

Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 16:51

The boiler replacement scheme for those not on benefits only applies to working boilers.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 16:51

Would my situation send me to the top of the housing list or would my family be likely to end up in a grotty b&b?
The reason i ask this is because if i go the whole mile, report to council etc, i would like to know if there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Or because my dh is in work say to no to helping us and expect us to find private rent?
One problem of private rent is cost and obviously i have no garantour

OP posts:
BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 16:55

You yourself said there are long waiting lists. You aren't a priority, and you are tied in a contract.

Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 16:56

The council would expect (and SS) you to instruct a housing solicitor at the CAB or other welfare rights organisation, to force your LL to replace the heating/hot water.

BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 16:57

Also, this 'reporting to the council'... Which department?

As this is a civil matter I would think, maybe someone knows? Env health could maybe do a report

MmeLindor · 26/08/2012 16:58

B&B would not be ideal but at least it would be warm!

Don't rely on the boiler scheme. My dad has just been turned down, even though he is on higher rate mobility and has copd. Initially they said he would be eligible. Then they said he wasn't.

Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 16:59

If your rented house is unfit to live in and you are not taking appropriate action to rectify this, then you are making yourself voluntarily homeless and causing your children to live in unsatisfactory circumstances.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 17:03

What is all this nonsense with SS?
Like i said i have made alternitive arrangements in the way of sanitary needs and if needs be for now i will purchase electric heaters and pester my df until a immersion is fitted.

Birdsgotafly: it isn't helpful worrying me with ss as im already worried enough abour the situation not to mention other major things also happening in my life at the moment.

Im now worried my kids will be snatched away, thanks for that-if that happens i will have nothing to live for Sad

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 17:03

The council will have a housing officer, who deals with prival rentals in disrepair.

They normally tell you to write to your LL by recorded delivery, stating the problem and a time period of around 7 days, to have the date of repair booked in.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 17:05

What if he simply doesn't have the money (or so he says). Could he get help or would it be highly unlikely?

He says he cannot get credit, does a monthly scheme mean credit checks?

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 17:06

Birdsgotafly: it isn't helpful worrying me with ss as im already worried enough abour the situation not to mention other major things also happening in my life at the moment.

All i meant was that your loyalty to your dad needs to end and you need to take action.

It is disgraceful that he would leave a tenant without heating/hot water, let alone his GC.

Regardless of where you go, they will ask you why you are not doing what you are supposed to.

So put it like that to your dad and ask him what route he wants you to go down.

As he is committing an offence.

QuintessentialShadows · 26/08/2012 17:08

How long have you allowed this situation to go on for? You have 4 children, without heating and hot water, and you seem more concerned about your relationship with your father than your childrens health and well being. I am sorry, but you need to act.

BlackberryIce · 26/08/2012 17:10

Why are you so scared of SS? If they did a report and got involved it might even help you?

QuintessentialShadows · 26/08/2012 17:14

As a landlord, I had to fork out 6k last year, as a plumber called out to fix the shower, discovered an electrical fault, which led to an electrician being called out, and in turn discovered that the house was not earthed, and needed rewiring. I did this straight away, as the house was a danger to live in. and I could not risk my tenants safety. I had to find the money, in the same way as your dad will have to find the money. Any landlord needs to put aside money for maintenance and repairs.

My finances were done in the following way:

From Rent Received
Minus mortgage
Minus insurance

The remainder put into a savings account. Not touched during the entire year, unless repairs were needed.

I did not use any of the rental income at all, everything was kept aside for the property. (Now the tenants have moved out,the income has funded new windows throughout, landscaping on the front, and a new bathroom. Everything was spent to upgrade the house)

fergoose · 26/08/2012 17:15

But a broken boiler doesn't mean you are homeless does it so I doubt you would go to the top of the list. They will just make him repair/replace it and maybe prosecute him for not having a valid safety certificate.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 17:16

Im not concerned about our relationship at all as from yesterday considering he wanted me to commit fraud i know longer care. But i am worried about where we are going to live, we have debts we cannot go private due to costs and amounts and the fact i do not have the money yet- even if we found somewhere affordable i do not have the funds and will not for atleast 4-5 months nor do i have a garantour.
If i report, the situation may remain the same still except df will be in prison.
If go down the council, they make take YEARS to rehome us.

I will try all of these things but im worried that no matter what i do it will take months/years to sort out and at a cost.
And if i do get council involved, they may decide it easier to put them in care rather than re-home us as there is 4dc and 2adults to rehome

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 26/08/2012 17:17

There isn't any threat from SS, i put the point across for the OP to use it in her arguement to her dad.

The last thing he wants is a housing officer walking round the house with a checklist.

The OP needs to get tough with her dad, he should have planned for future repair costs.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 17:18

As far as im aware he uses the rent to pay the mortgage. He has no insurances whatsoever and apparently has no credit..sigh

OP posts:
Longtalljosie · 26/08/2012 17:18

OK. Social services are not going to take your children away because your father won't replace the boiler. Have you yet told your father - definitively - that you are not prepared to lie to the boiler grant people?

I'm a bit Hmm about the £4k for a new boiler. £1-2k yes. £4k no. I think he's flamming it up because he doesn't want to spend the money.

How much rent are you paying per month?

Wowserz129 · 26/08/2012 17:19

I have never heard such shite in all my life, ss would never take your kids away over your boiler not working!

I would report it as he isn't being a good landlord!

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 17:19

Someone tell me wholeheartidly what they would do in this situation and i will follow as i just want to get out of this mess before the winter comes.

OP posts:
fergoose · 26/08/2012 17:19

you report a landlord to environmental health at the council

It is not your problem how he pays for it - I can see you are not going to do anything about it as you are scared of SS and worrying about him - it is ridiculous.

MmeLindor · 26/08/2012 17:19

Pumpkin
No one is saying that your children will be snatched away, but SS may get involved if there is concern that your children are living in unfit conditions. They are not monsters, they would try and help you out. No one wants to take kids from their parents when they are well cared for and loved.

At the same time, you cannot live without hot water and heating. It is simply not acceptable. Your father is taking advantage of you because he knows you will not make a fuss. He would not DARE do this to anyone else.

Lots of posters have given you good advice on how to proceed. Take their advice and speak to someone at the council about the situation and then do what they tell you to do.

Original poster
pumpkinsweetie · 26/08/2012 17:21

Longtall-the whole system is over 35 years old with an old tank to boot-so old it has no immersion hence the reason the whole lot needs doing.

OP posts:
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