Im a 1st yearstudent in cardiff and have found a house for my second year with five other students. The problem is that the landlord wants the cheques for the whole year before I am scheduled to move in (september) although he wont cash them until the payment is actually due. I am worried that if i fail my first year and move back home with my parents i wont be able to get the cheques back which i cant afford. is it possible to get the money back.
2007-12-08 06:11:56 · 11 answers · asked by The Greatest 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Post dated cheques are illegal. I understand your landlord, perhaps he has been let down before, but that's a risk he has to take. The contract you sign should be very clear as to how much you pay and when. It is normal to pay a deposit to cover an future damage, and a months rent in advance. On the day you move in make a list of any defects to ensure this isn't deducted from the deposit. Good luck with your house and your exam results.
2007-12-08 06:29:36 · answer #1 · answered by translatorinspain 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That practice sound unethical but perhaps he has gotten shorted too many times from others. You would then put the date for the first of each new month, so they are all predated, which banks do not like anyone to do.
If you sign an agreement to rent for the whole year, you will need to pay him for the whole year anyway! You signed a contract??? (there is something in writing isn' there?) If it is all verbal ...yikes! You could loose all together for the landlord may be con-ing you. Research the rental laws in your town.
I suggest not to sign for you may find something better anyway for the second year. This feels wrong.
2007-12-08 06:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a retired letting negotiator I can tell you the news is not good. It looks like your prospective landlord wants a full years letting which he is entitled to do. If he is with an agent they will want a renewal fee each time a new contract is made out. Even if he manages the property himself there is work involved in short-term renewals. A 'get out clause' can be added to the contract, landlord permitting, but this means you will be responsible for rent for any period before the house is relet. It is normal for youngsters to cough up a years rent as they have no income record to assure the LL at that age. More mature renters have to show 3 monthly payslips indicating sufficient income. My daughter is 19 and at Essex University and had to use her loan to pay a year 'up front'.
Remember too, if you are sharing with others there is the risk that they may pack it in leaving you carrying the proverbial baby!
Clue yourself up with the letting laws in Whitaker's Almanac in your university library. It's surprisingly easy to understamd. You are likely to be looking at what is called an "Assured Shorthold Tenancy". Good luck. DB
2007-12-08 06:31:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could call the bank and cancel your checks before he cashes them. They usally charge a small fee for this. If you sign a lease you are responable for paying til the end of the lease even if you do move out unless you find someone to sublease the room anyway. If you dont sign a lease there is no way i would give him checks ahead of time. Most citys have a dept of regulations for renter's protection. I would look that up and see what the regualtions are.
2007-12-08 06:24:06 · answer #4 · answered by lacesd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your landlord wants to make sure he gets paid. If you sign a lease, your will be responsible for payment. Of course, you can always stop pay on those checks, or close your account, etc, but if he is holding the place for you, you will be responsible for the rent.
If you think you may fail, you better wait and see. Don't sign a lease until you know you will be there.
2007-12-08 06:16:17 · answer #5 · answered by chris 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The 12 month condition sounds a bit iffy, your problem is ,no doubt, should you not comply you might be ejected,? have a five pronged discussion with your landlord to maybe resolve the situation?
2007-12-08 06:57:26 · answer #6 · answered by DENNIS P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(A) It's probably illegal to write a check when you don't have the funds to cover it. It is where I live.
(B) If he cashes it and you haven't the correct amount of money in the bank, it's your fault.
(C) Having a year's worth of checks is no guarantee for him that he'll get the money.
Avoid this at all costs.
2007-12-09 00:53:27 · answer #7 · answered by Sagebrush Kid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im a landlord and never take cheques and if i was you i would never give a bunch of pre dated cheques to a landlord it is not only dodgy but illegal.
What i do with my tennants is set up standing orders safe and simple.
2007-12-08 06:16:58 · answer #8 · answered by sephton19662002 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't know anything about the law in your area, but that sounds pretty weird and unreasonable to me. Are the other students going along with the arrangement?
2007-12-08 06:16:40 · answer #9 · answered by Beth 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is illegal. Contact the Cardiff by the Sea attorney general.
2007-12-08 06:15:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋