how dull is this question? tenants asking for letter to confirm extension of contract - just wondering why (polish nationals)

[lawrieisluckybutnickyisnicer]

six month contract with tenants. six months is up this monday, they staying. contract says that it's monthly notice after this.

they texted to ask for a letter of confirmation. said happy to do this, but they needn't worry as we still in contract. they talking about how they need a separate letter with the implication that it was for someone else (official). but they didn't say who.

we had an estate agent round to value property a couple of weeks ago. they know the flat costs us a fortune - we live in dh;s work and are reluctant landlords. we may well sell, but not right now and would of course keep them in the loop.

next rent due on monday. their text seemed quite urgent - asked us to hand deliver letter this weekend to them. know we live an hour away and struggle to get there.

do you think they just don't trust us - or could there be a reason why their residency is based on having a regular address?

i would love to have asked who this letter was for but felt it was not really my place to do so.

told you it was a dull post!

tbh I have a new contract admendment every time I extend my lease. not sure if it's the norm or not but I rent thru an agent. nothing in it just for all parties to know I think.

I don't know if it's necessary, but asking for confirmation in writing isn't much of a problem is it? Maybe it's for housing benefit.

lady - my thoughts. i texted them to say as much - but their response was that "it wasnt enough, sorry, some people make things really difficult" .

i was a bit annoyed by the implied urgency. tenant suggested we drop off letter at her work (restaurant) tonight.

do you think they are just worried and dont understand contract? or could it be a residency thing? i cant imagine any other reason

southabelle - that is interesting. these are our second tenants and first ones left at end of 12m contract

hiya missus

no, writing not a prob at all and that sort of thing part and parcel of landlording. that is why i think it would be cheeky of me to ask.

just wondering who these officials they are alluding to could be. or whether it might just be they want it for their own security. both working btw so no housing benefit.

It's probably just for their own security - though maybe if they're both on very low wages it could be HB. I'm sure you're lovely most many landlords are unscrupulous so they're probably just being careful.

If it's difficult for you to deliver personally though I'd post it.

They need to show that they live there - my guess would be benefits. Or for something really simple like parking permit or something else for the council. or to do with immigration people. who knows?

No harm in asking. Ask them.

Immigration? You (those of you who have mentioned it) are aware that Polish people have the right to live in the UK right?

maybe they are trying ot buy a tv on hp or something, or getting a loan or need to prove they are living where they are living. it won't affect you, and you don't really need to know what it's for.

Their comment 'sorry, some people make things really difficult' sound like they are speaking of whovere has asked for it, not to dowith you being difficult.

I have no idea how it all works skihorse. If I were to move to another part of europe I think I would expect the authorities to want to know where I was living and stuff, rather than just have me wander around.

But maybe we are all allowed to wander around.

Who knows. Was simply a suggestion.

But you do know what the EU is?

I'm being honest that i dont know how it all works.

If I moved within the UK I would have to provide paperwork to my new local authority and the govt and so on.

My assumption was that if you move within the EU you would need to provide documentation to the authorities. Most places like to keep track of their populations I think.

They might be applying for Worker Registration and need to prove where they are living? Not sure they need to do it for that but it is the only paperwork I know of that Polish Nationals need to do when working in the UK.

And yes Worker Registration helps the government to know how many Polish Nationals are working in the UK for their statistics.

Having said all that I find all the Polish people I know to be quite keen to double check everything and make sure everything is above board. Perhaps they are just asking for re-assurance.

It must be a little daunting to be in a country where your only real experience of the legal system is the daily Mail screamers of "Immigrants are giving your house prices CANCER!"

i wouldn't be surprised if they feel they need a piece of paper 'proving' their right to be here.

OP says they need the letter to show to someone official though.

Presumably they have signed a standard AST with you - if so, then all you have to do is write to say that under the terms of the AST, they have the right to remain in the property unless you give them 2 months notice or they give you 1 months' notice.....I can see that the demand that it's hand delivered is a bit of a pain, but confirming the legal position isn't a problem is it?

Well if it's for something official, getting a letter hand-delivered over the weekend surely isn't going to help.

Post first class, will get there Tuesday. Even recorded delivery.

And don't text to say you're going to do this, phone them. You can then reassure them that the contract still stands.

It's not a question of just not trusting you. You and the tenants have a legal relationship, nothing personal, and not a question of mutual trust.

If they're Polish they may need proof of residency or address for any number of different government bureaucracies, or banks, or to enroll in a college, or even for Polish purposes, like avoiding national service or some such thing.