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Original poster

On a joint tenancy and being told I can’t go back by partner

18 replies

Beckyxox12 · 22/07/2021 18:56

So me and my “partner” just moved out a few weeks ago and we signed a joint tenancy agreement, my “partner” knew full well all alone I could not afford to split the rent and the bills as I’m only picking up £120 a week maternity pay, I offered to help out when I can but no way can I afford to split the bills and he knew this. But now 3 weeks in and he’s telling me he don’t want to be with me anymore and telling me i have got to pay half for everything which there is no way I can afford. He has a good job and can comfortably afford to pay the rent and bills so he’s just doing it to be spiteful and nasty. I don’t know what to do I’m 34 weeks pregnant and don’t need this added stress. He said if I don’t pay half then he’s not paying any either but we are both on the tenancy so i would be liable as well, but I physically can not afford it at all

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 22/07/2021 18:59

I'm sorry, op, just you're in a very difficult position. You signed the joint tenancy, you're just as responsible for the full rent as your partner is. Perhaps talk to the landlord and try to get out of this lease.

DogsSausages · 22/07/2021 19:06

Is he trying to get you to,leave , who did you sign the contract with, you can contact Shelter for advice. They can also see if you are entitled to any benefits. Do you have family you can live with, I would speak to citizens advice, shelter and womens aid if he is threatening you, if neither of you pay rent you dont want to be in trouble with the agency . Do you have a copy of your tenancy agreement.,

LtDansleg · 22/07/2021 19:07

Who is the lead tenant? Did you have to do credit/bank checks, wage slips etc to get the tenancy?!

LtDansleg · 22/07/2021 19:07

Not sure how the exclamation mark snuck in there

Original poster
Beckyxox12 · 22/07/2021 19:17

We’re both joint tenants it’s not though an agency it was a private land lord they didn’t even do credit checks or anything they just asked if we both worked that was it really they’re an old couple don’t think they wanted all the hassle of checks and stuff tbh they never mentioned it

OP posts:
DogsSausages · 22/07/2021 19:20

Did you say you were both working when they asked you or did you say you were only on mat pay. Had you worked out the rent before you signed the contract to make sure you could afford to pay the rent. Have you signed a contract with them.

AGreatUsername · 22/07/2021 19:29

Does he want you to leave or would he go if you were able to take over the tenancy? I’d advise speaking to the CAB and shelter as soon as you possibly can and getting advice on any benefits you’ll be entitled to now you’re a single parent (almost). I’m sorry he’s behaving like this, but you WILL manage alone, and you should not leave the house unless you have somewhere stable for you and the baby to go. Find out what he wants and go from there, if he wants you to leave and you want to go too talk to your landlord but you DO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE.

Original poster
Beckyxox12 · 22/07/2021 19:32

I told them I was working when we went to view the house I also told them I’m going on maternity leave within the next few weeks they just asked if we could afford it and we said yes ( he can afford it but I can’t) to be honest I think they knew it was going to be him paying the rent it was mainly him they were asking the questions too. Another thing is he smashed the front door last week my “partner” did when he was drunk which the land lord is aware of as we need to replace it obviously, so will I be liable to pay for that as well even though it wasn’t me who done it . In fact I wasn’t even home when he did it

OP posts:
Original poster
Beckyxox12 · 22/07/2021 19:33

Even with benefits when the babies here as a single mother I wouldn’t be able to afford it I’ve already worked it out and the rent is way more than the Maximum housing benefit they would allow me so me staying alone is simply not an option

OP posts:
Whaddayahear · 22/07/2021 19:35

It's his baby, I assume?

AGreatUsername · 22/07/2021 19:35

You will be jointly liable for any and all damage that occurs during your joint tenancy. You really need to take action quickly if he’s behaving like this, or you’ll end up out of pocket for it even more. You poor thing. Has he clarified whether he wants to leave or wants you to? Do you have anywhere else to go if you do want to leave?

TakeYourFinalPosition · 22/07/2021 19:36

You’re going to need to talk to the landlord - they have the ability to remove you from the contract, if they want to.

I don’t believe there’s a legal way you can get out of the contract, but they may well be happy for you to leave rather than having a feuding couple in their rented house.

DogsSausages · 22/07/2021 19:37

Why are you with him, he threatens to withhold rent, gets drunk and smashed the door, I am surprised the landlord hasn't made you replace the door immediately. That's a security and insurance issue.

WallaceinAnderland · 22/07/2021 19:42

Why did you agree to a joint tenancy when you can't afford it, that's crazy. How did you expect to pay? If your partner was going to be the main person to pay, it should have just been in his name.

TheFoundations · 22/07/2021 19:43

Your landlord can't demand money you don't have. Even if it went to court, they'd still look at your income and expenditure, and you'd pay a figure you could afford. Don't panic. Safety is more important than money.

Is there anybody you can stay with, just to be safe, away from him?

Speak to Women's Aid.

MotherOfDemons · 22/07/2021 19:49

OP if you leave you will be able to take him to court for Child Maintenance too, so that will go towards covering rent. I would also (as uncomfortable as it might be), leave and declare yourself homeless due to breakup (and please get all his threats in writing is possible), as they will be able to bump you up the council housing priority list.

There are ways out of this. It will be hard but it is better than having to give all your money to him and struggling to provide for the baby and yourself while he swans about like the selfish arsehole he is.

Whaddayahear · 22/07/2021 20:30

Have you looked into how much you'd be entitled to in child maintenance based on his salary?

HalzTangz · 22/07/2021 21:39

@Beckyxox12

I told them I was working when we went to view the house I also told them I’m going on maternity leave within the next few weeks they just asked if we could afford it and we said yes ( he can afford it but I can’t) to be honest I think they knew it was going to be him paying the rent it was mainly him they were asking the questions too. Another thing is he smashed the front door last week my “partner” did when he was drunk which the land lord is aware of as we need to replace it obviously, so will I be liable to pay for that as well even though it wasn’t me who done it . In fact I wasn’t even home when he did it
Did you pay a deposit and months rent up front? He smashed the door he can replace it. Speak to landlord get yourself removed from tenancy, ideally without him knowing, then he will have a shock when they chase him for full payment of any rent he doesn't pay
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