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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Landlord has managed to stop uc payment 😡🤬

27 replies

Italianmamami · 14/08/2022 22:00

So annoyed. I’ve had multiple issues with my landlord and this is just the latest. So my statement is due up today but it’s being held back because my landlord is saying I’m in rent arrears and wants payments direct as well as deductions on my payments. I’ve been paying the rent and I’ve already sent a copy of my statements to uc in the past two weeks to show this. They noted that I was in credit when landlord called them and stated I was in arrears but they now want to make another appointment for me to go in and again prove I’ve made payment. Im so sick of it. They are not paying me until I’ve attended the appointment but that could be after my payment date which is this week. I’ve just had enough of my landlord causing one problem after the other. He text me last week to say he was coming round and changing the locks and wanted me out within the week. I’ve contacted my local council many times and the police and only now are my local council bringing him in for childish behaviour and not being professional. I won’t go into the repairs and the fact that he let me this house after tampering with the electrics and them then failing.

OP posts:
LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 14/08/2022 22:01

He absolutely cannot kick you out in a week and has no right of entry. If he comes round, call the police.

Why does he think you’re in arrears?

HangOnToYourself · 14/08/2022 22:03

He sounds unhinged

Original poster
Italianmamami · 14/08/2022 22:06

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 14/08/2022 22:01

He absolutely cannot kick you out in a week and has no right of entry. If he comes round, call the police.

Why does he think you’re in arrears?

He knows I’m not he is just trying to get more money from me because he is in a lot of debt with the house.he owes his mum money

OP posts:
ConsuelaHammock · 14/08/2022 22:07

He sounds horrible. Get out as soon as you can!

Chocolatiestchocolate · 14/08/2022 22:09

He sounds a twat. But maybe it would be for the best in the long run. Council will help once homeless. Not b4. Altho its shit and scary in the meantime.

mumwon · 14/08/2022 23:11

I am puzzled its incredibly hard to get money paid to you directly as a landlord especially without the tenants agreement and surely you need to be in at least a couple of months in arrears?

Original poster
Italianmamami · 14/08/2022 23:18

mumwon · 14/08/2022 23:11

I am puzzled its incredibly hard to get money paid to you directly as a landlord especially without the tenants agreement and surely you need to be in at least a couple of months in arrears?

Yes that’s why they have put my payment on hold until I come in with all of the evidence again to prove I’m not in arrears. I’ve already proven it once but it seems to be an every month thing now. The problem is they are just with holding my housing element whilst they sort the appointment; it’s the whole thing. You have to be two months in arrears so he keeps saying it’s two months every month and I’ve had to show them in not in any arrears which I did a couple of weeks ago but now they want evidence of this months payment too. I’m just getting sick of it to be honest. They catch him out lying but then he lies again.

OP posts:
scoobydoo1971 · 14/08/2022 23:55

Find somewhere else to live. I know it is hard in rental but your landlord is controlling your life. If you don't leave he will get you evicted after going through the court procedure anyway. Once in that frame of mind, call the local authority and ask for an environmental health officer to call. Take photographs of what is wrong at the property. He should have an EPC certificate for the property, and have the boiler checked. If you are leaving, it is a good idea to make him do the work in the property to make it safe for the next person. If you report him for harassment to the police, you can take that evidence to the DWP and the local authority housing department. Make a log of every action and get a crime number.

TinySophie · 15/08/2022 00:15

This is awful, but while you have every right to stay there it sounds as though it’d be better for you if you are able to move. Is that an option, to find somewhere new with a better landlord?

Original poster
Italianmamami · 15/08/2022 00:18

TinySophie · 15/08/2022 00:15

This is awful, but while you have every right to stay there it sounds as though it’d be better for you if you are able to move. Is that an option, to find somewhere new with a better landlord?

In the process of trying to find somewhere else but there isn’t much available at the moment so I’m even looking at somewhere 30 miles away to get another property. He has already served me a section 21 3 weeks ago but it wasn’t valid so the new one was posted last week. It expires on the 1st week of October but I’m hopeful to move for the beginning of September to get my children into new schools in a new area. He has been like this since I moved in 4 months ago. It’s been one thing after another.

OP posts:
TinySophie · 15/08/2022 00:21

You probably already know this, but just in case you don’t; you don’t have to leave until you want to it a court orders it.

If it were me I’d look at changing the lock barrels or locks to avoid any shenanigans, changing them back when I left.

poppymaewrite · 15/08/2022 00:45

Call Shelter!!!

MrsMoastyToasty · 15/08/2022 01:09

Read up on your rights on Shelter's website. Go to a local law centre or citizens advice bureau for help too. Contact environmental health and the private lettings departments at your local council. They have the power to enforce rented properties are fit for purpose.

Rahrahrahrahannoyed · 15/08/2022 01:35

Yes, Shelter is good. I am so, so sorry this is happening to you. Horrible situation and he sounds like a prize cunt for the reasons that he is doing it.

MadinMarch · 15/08/2022 02:14

I don't understand how the landlord can think you are in arrears?.
You only moved in 4 months ago, and presumably your bank statements show that you have paid the rent on time, and in full, each month?
Surely the landlord is aware that you can easily prove this to the DPS and that he will therefore be proved to be a liar?

Original poster
Italianmamami · 15/08/2022 10:30

MadinMarch · 15/08/2022 02:14

I don't understand how the landlord can think you are in arrears?.
You only moved in 4 months ago, and presumably your bank statements show that you have paid the rent on time, and in full, each month?
Surely the landlord is aware that you can easily prove this to the DPS and that he will therefore be proved to be a liar?

I’ve already proven it last month and now they want me to prove it again because when they confronted him for lying he admitted the payments had been received but then rang again saying I was in loads of arrears so they were saying I’ll have to upload the proof of the rent payment I’ve just last week for this month. He keeps saying I’m in 1350 arrears because he is billing me for the electrics work he had to get done because the electrics failed and were flagged up as being unsafe by Scottish power. So the council made him do the safety check (which wasn’t done when I moved in). The electrician took one look at it and said he was already failing it by just looking at it as the landlord has removed all the trip switches and he had to switch my shower off as we were at risk of an electric shock with it being on and no trip switches. I’ve already told him I’m not paying for the electrics as it’s a check he has to carry out as a landlord and should have been done before I moved in but has only recently been done. The ceiling in the bay window is coming through and quite a few dangerous repairs. He chased off the last tenant too through harassment. I’m just annoyed I’m having to prove I’m paying the rent when I’ve already proven it once last month which would show that even if I hadn’t paid last month (which I did) it would only be 600.00 in arrears not 1350.

OP posts:
Original poster
Italianmamami · 15/08/2022 10:31

MadinMarch · 15/08/2022 02:14

I don't understand how the landlord can think you are in arrears?.
You only moved in 4 months ago, and presumably your bank statements show that you have paid the rent on time, and in full, each month?
Surely the landlord is aware that you can easily prove this to the DPS and that he will therefore be proved to be a liar?

Sorry I’ll explain that last line. Last months payment is for this month, if that makes sense

OP posts:
MadinMarch · 15/08/2022 15:01

He sounds unhinged from what you have just explained!
Assuming you're in England, as you say, he can't charge you for updating the electrics. Your tenancy agreement should confirm that the landlord is responsible for those sorts of repairs and maintenance.
There's no arguing with stupid though, so I would agree with other posters that you're best bet would be to move as soon as you can.
May be worth documenting his harassing/ distressing behaviour with the police if appropriate, or a housing advice organisation such as Shelter, as it may reassure future landlords if he refuses to give you a decent reference.

Original poster
Italianmamami · 15/08/2022 15:05

MadinMarch · 15/08/2022 15:01

He sounds unhinged from what you have just explained!
Assuming you're in England, as you say, he can't charge you for updating the electrics. Your tenancy agreement should confirm that the landlord is responsible for those sorts of repairs and maintenance.
There's no arguing with stupid though, so I would agree with other posters that you're best bet would be to move as soon as you can.
May be worth documenting his harassing/ distressing behaviour with the police if appropriate, or a housing advice organisation such as Shelter, as it may reassure future landlords if he refuses to give you a decent reference.

I’ve documented everything with the police and they have even brought him for harassment because I’ve had to contact them many times in the past 4 months. The first police officer was shocked because he had told him to not contact me and then 5 minutes later he had contacted me abuse again. So they actually relayed to him what harassment was…. Again. Any emails I’ve also put the council in and the police. He messaged me the eviction last week but when he got abusive he didn’t cc the police and the council in the emails so I had to forward them all, which is why the council became concerned over his behaviour.

OP posts:
Original poster
Italianmamami · 15/08/2022 15:23

To update does anyone know how to get some financial help as universal credit have now stated that the issue is now blocking my payments. I’ve got to pop to the bank for an appointment to get the information they need to show payments again. It’s just annoying because I won’t get it sent in, in time so I won’t be getting paid.

OP posts:
SuperLoudPoppingAction · 15/08/2022 15:30

Your local council should have a scheme for emergency payments.
Discretionary fund maybe?
Have a look on your council website.

LakieLady · 15/08/2022 15:42

Can't you just upload a screen grab of your bank statements via your UC journal? That should surely be enough to assure your work coach that you've paid the rent and the LL is a lying fuckwit.

This surely amounts to harrassment, and there should be someone at the council who is responsible for dealing with harrassment by landlords. I also recommend talking to Shelter, at one time, eviction proceedings could be stayed if the mandatory safety certs weren't in force at the commencement of your tenancy, but that could have been overruled by a higher court now. Shelter will know.

BadNomad · 15/08/2022 16:04

Will you need him to give you a reference for a new place? If not I'd be tempted to just stop the housing claim now then reapply. What's he going to do about it. You're being kicked out in 2 months anyway.

bellabasset · 15/08/2022 16:20

Sounds as though your LL is just trying to get higher rent for his property. I think the advice to speak to Shelter is what I would have suggested. Good luck with your house hunting

Original poster
Italianmamami · 15/08/2022 16:22

LakieLady · 15/08/2022 15:42

Can't you just upload a screen grab of your bank statements via your UC journal? That should surely be enough to assure your work coach that you've paid the rent and the LL is a lying fuckwit.

This surely amounts to harrassment, and there should be someone at the council who is responsible for dealing with harrassment by landlords. I also recommend talking to Shelter, at one time, eviction proceedings could be stayed if the mandatory safety certs weren't in force at the commencement of your tenancy, but that could have been overruled by a higher court now. Shelter will know.

That’s what I’ve been trying to do but it’s not loading this months. I screenshot last month with it all up until the 18th of July. So it’s just one payment after that, that they need proof of. Which technically they don’t as I need to be in two months arrears to do a direct payment to the landlord which I’m not, so blocking my payments is just for the landlords benefit. I’ve spoken to shelter previously and they advised about the repairs should still be done even though I’ll be leaving soon and how I don’t need to leave after the section 21 but they did advise it’s best to look elsewhere given the landlords behaviour and the fact that he is under the private licensing team which the council should be monitoring him(they aren’t and if I call them when he is abusive to me at the house, sitting outside and watching the house they put a referral in to the mental health team. So I’m quite reluctant to call them about him escalating all the time). I’ll see if there’s something on my local councils website. I know a new food bank has opened in my area but it’s been extremely busy that the staff were sure how long they would have supply for, due to the high demand.

OP posts: