Landlord sending mail to rented property?

Landlord sending mail to rented property?

9:30 AM, 20th December 2022, About 2 years ago 42

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Hi all, My landlord in the UK is allegedly abroad but has told the managing agent that he wants all his mail to continue to come to this rented property even though he doesn’t stay here.  Is this legal or is it right?

He also insists on having one utility bill in his name. This sounds like some sort of tax dodging or other dubious plans at work here

If we were to reimburse the landlord for the utility bill are we liable for participating in any dubious scheme he may be involved in?

Kind Regards

Pri


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TrevL

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22:05 PM, 20th December 2022, About 2 years ago

Looks like some form of fraud, and the fact he hasn't explained why he's doing it suggests the same, he's also treating you with contempt if he doesn't respect the situation enough to ask your permission to do it, instead of dictating it.

Although there is probably minimal risk to you, I wouldn't get comfy and it might be worth considering a move to elsewhere at the end of your fixed term, if it's practical.....or just stick with it if it's too much hassle.

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22:46 PM, 20th December 2022, About 2 years ago

I'm thinking the landlord has maybe bought the property with standard mortgage, maybe with %10 deposit instead of %25 deposit . So wants his building society to think he's resident in that property . And as others have said , he might be trying to squeeze a few extra months residency to pay less CGT .

Simon F

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23:02 PM, 20th December 2022, About 2 years ago

May be beneficial to HMRC too as it is-- if the landlord has chosen to be on UK payroll whilst working overseas for an international organisation. He would need a UK bank account and for that a UK residential address. A daughter of a landlord friend of mine worked on cruises (living on board, so not resident anywhere else either) and used the UK let property address for the same purpose. Life can be difficult for someone with no permanent residence at all.

Mary T

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6:36 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

Hi, I'm a landlord living with my partner in the UK. I keep the council tax in my name and the gas and electric bills in my name at my old flat which I rent out. I pay the council tax. The tenants reimburse me for gas and electric - which was their request because they were fed up of changing the names / closing the accounts every time a tenant moved in or out. I declare the income on the property - so nothing dodgy there. I have 'consent to let' from my mortgage company so nothing dodgy there. When I sell the property the CGT will be the same as no bills in my name because it is calculated pro rata, eg how much of the property did I rent out for how long, eg 70% for 10 years and 100% for 10 years. I keep the bills in my name a) so I can remain on the electoral roll there, which is completely allowed, and b) so that I can get visitor parking permits for tradesmen so they can park when coming to do repairs. I still pay income tax, I still pay council tax and I shall pay CGT tax so nothing dodgy there at all. Please keep in mind there are tons of legitimate reasons someone may want a UK address, electoral roll and parking permits being just 2 of them. Maybe applying for a passport....Maybe getting a mobile phone contract.....there are so many times you have to provide proof of a UK address to be able to do anything and it's nothing to do with avoiding taxes or fraud it's perhaps more likely for practical reasons.

Christopher Lee

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7:39 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Richie at 20/12/2022 - 14:42
You seem determined to make the assumption that the landlord isn't doing something wrong.

Of course he is. Get real. You don't need to be clairvoyant to realise they're dodging income tax.

The Tenant should tell HMRC.

Paul Power

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8:30 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

So let me get this right....
A LL has a utility bill in their name (let's assume dual fuel) which would leave them liable for the cost if the T does a bunk and there's still nothing to see here from some quarters? Those pointing out the method of bamboozled the hmrc are probably correct as what other LL would indemnify you personally for utilities. If they want to carry on make sure you insist their name is on the gas and electric, give them a bottle check

Christopher Lee

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8:36 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mary T at 21/12/2022 - 06:36
Under the circumstances you've mentioned, how is that address your residence in electoral law?

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8:45 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Richie at 20/12/2022 - 14:42
It's clearly being done to avoid future CGT.

Christopher Lee

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8:58 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mary T at 21/12/2022 - 06:36
Also - are the tenants including their names on the annual registration for the electoral register?

Simon M

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11:09 AM, 21st December 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mary T at 21/12/2022 - 06:36
Proof of an address and proof of residence are not the same thing. Every time you're asked for proof of residence it is for the address you now live in.

I'm also interested to hear how this complies with election law. If the parking permit is council-issued I can't imagine it's compliant either.

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