Should I contact former tenant’s letting agent?

[Perditaprunella]

NC as my usual name could possibly be traced back to me, and posting here for traffic.

I’m a landlord and gave a reference for a tenant who had rented from me for 3 years.

It could be that only my reference and a credit check were possible, as he was not working due to long term poor health. He got the bungalow.

Four months later I had a phone call from the letting agent asking if I had any details for next of kin as they couldn’t contact him.

I didn’t, but had exchanged a few messages with his sister about an unrelated matter and said I would pass on the agents details, although had no idea if hers were still current.

When I visited my property the neighbour across the road told me the previous tenant is in prison.

The sister then replied saying he was in hospital for at least 4 months and asking me what they could do to delay him being evicted, as he can’t pay the rent. She suggested several things, some of which are very unfair to the landlord, and could involve extra expense for him.

I replied that maybe he should consider giving up the property whilst the arrears are still small and make a fresh start when he was discharged from ‘hospital’.

She refused to consider that, and was again trying to get me to help her come up with excuses, etc. I have not replied. I have no intention of helping her.

I know that I am not directly involved, but I feel a bit guilty and sorry for the current landlord.

I knew about a recent conviction. I wanted the tenant to leave, but I hadn’t issued a notice to quit. He left voluntarily as he had ‘shit on his own doorstep’ and been threatened.

My reference was factual but the enquiry form from the letting agent was poor, and asked very little. If it had been more probing he probably wouldn’t have got the tenancy.

I feel like I should tell the letting agent the true situation. I don’t know if it will help the landlord at all, as I have no idea how long it will take to get a court hearing for possession.

If he is aware that he won’t be getting any rent for 4 months he might be able to make arrangements regarding mortgage payments etc.

If the tenant finds out that I have passed on confidential information he might try to take action against me for harassment ( I have now been told that he made a couple of ( false) ‘no win, no fee’ ‘ambulance chasing’ personal injury claims).

DH says to keep out of it as it is none of my business and he knows I am a worrier.

I thought I could possibly just suggest that the agent asks the neighbour who gave me the information?

How is it going to help if you get involved?

@Palavah

How is it going to help if you get involved?

That’s partly why I posted, as I am not sure it will.

It won’t change the situation with no rent being paid.

It might mean that the landlord can have an early conversation with his lender to reschedule mortgage payments if he knows that the rent isn’t going to be paid.

Jeebus. Walk away. Nothing to do with you

Do not pass on any information that was not disclosed by the tenant it is common sense. You should not be responding really. You do not know the tenants situation for a property that isn't even yours move on.

I may be wrong, but was under the impression that housing benefit is still paid to people on short prison sentences (because a homeless ex-con does nobody any good...) Any way you could communicate that to the sister, so the rent will still be paid? Still leaves the ll with a dodgy tenant, though.

Absolutely nothing to do with you, don't engage and kind your own.

You need to stop getting involved. Your relationship with the tenant has ended. It’s literally nothing to do with you. Block the sister and put it out of your mind.

Mind not kind

Definitely stay out of it. The information is confidential and you don’t have it directly from the person concerned so you can’t verify it. It is difficult for the new landlord but it’s not your responsibility.

I think you have to view being a landlord as a business and so be legal and professional. Passing on details without permission then thinking about having a quiet word with the next LL is not that - and as you have seen, leads to all sorts of drama that you shouldn't even know about, let alone be involved in.

Stop talking to the sister (if approached just tell her you cannot help further). Stop passing on details and stop thinking about 'warning' the next LL who should also be treating it like a business and so have backup to cover situations like this.

Just tell her that it's nothing to do with you so you're unable to assist but that the LL might be open to ideas if she contacts him directly?

The sister abs the landlord need to have a conversation. It's nothing to do with you.

You don't 100% know he's in prison, he could be in hospital, he could have randomly flown to a distant land and decided not to return for several months.

The most you should do is pass the sisters number on (I'm not sure if you're even allowed to do that) but I would definitely advise the sister to speak to the landlord and then leave it.

I think you might be breaching GDPR if you pass on information like this. Make sure you stay on the right side of the law, above all else. Especially since your ex-tenant has a habit of litigation!

Here is an excellent landlords' forum where you can get good advice on matters such as this: www.landlordforumproject.co.uk/

(I have very mixed feelings about the associated blog, as the blogger often speaks in very unpleasant terms about tenants. But he does provide good factual information in his blogs. The moderators on the forum, by contrast, are pleasant and respectful about tenants. Can't quite reconcile this!)

Are you a bit excited by the ‘drama’? I can’t imagine why else you’d want to get involved…

Passing on confidential info and even telephone numbers is a potential breach of GDPR and you can get fined thousands of pounds

As a landlord are you registered with the ICO (Information Commisioners Office)? Have a look on the website for guidance before you do anything that can’t be undone.

Listen to your husband. He’s wiser than you.

Thank you to everyone who has commented.

I am not enjoying any aspect of this situation.

The neighbour who gave me the information was connected to the first conviction, so I don’t doubt its veracity, but I haven’t actually passed on any information to anyone, except the letting agent number to the sister as requested.

I am pleased that all of the responses indicate not getting involved. That has helped and I have now blocked the sister.

It does appear that on this occasion my husband is wiser than me. Thank goodness he doesn’t read Mumsnet.

If the sister contacts you again please advise her to contact the "hospital" as there will be agencies who work with or in the establishment who will be able to assist with this - this situation happens all the time. If the accommodation is paid for via housing benefit then it can continue for up to 6 months and this can be continued by the accommodation team provided the "patient" lets them know this is how the rent is paid.

You sound horrible. Don't kick someone when they're down.

Stay out of it.
The sister can speak to the current landlord and put her suggestions to them if she likes.

My friends son was in prison for 14 months, his social housing flat was kept for him. I wonder if the same is done for rented property?
In your situation I would keep right out of it!