DOLE Query

brigadear

One of my best friends has been out of work for 7 weeks. He brought all revelant documentation with him when signing on, ID, bills, P45/P60 etc, then was called for interview and they told him he needed to have a rent agreement or rent book. Now he is renting but hasn`t got any rent agreement or rent book as the landlord isnt registered. Do you need this for signing on as I only thought this needed as proof of address, and they already have 5 different proof of address from him already. Social welfare have said if he cant provide this, claim will be rejected.

snubbleste

It's sounds like a means test interview - The SWO is looking for proof that he is renting and how much rent he is paying, so a signed letter from the landlord should suffice.

As regards not having a rent book, an unregistered landlord is breaking the law by not providing a rent book.

brigadear

What does paying rent have to do with your claim unless you are claiming rent allowance. Yes landlord is breaking law but should my friend or other people in this situation be victimised(Maybe thats not right description) for it. What I want to know is can they reject your claim on this, as not everybody gets asked for this documentation.

snubbleste

As I said it is a means test interview, the officer needs to see the incomings & outgoings of a claimant and/or additional proof that person is legitimately living at that address.
As with all documentation requests, claim can be suspended unless supplied. If he is unsure whether or not to comply with this request, advise him to visit his local citizens information centre.

brigadear

He spoke to citizens advice and they told him that they dont take into account your outgoings which rent would be, and he spoke to Social welfare again and they told him he must provide this. He spoke with the landlord last night and said he needed this and landlord said he cant provide as he could lose his house as he isnt registered and this house has been rented out for at least 6 years. My friend said he will give his name and number to social welfare as this isnt his probleam, landlord has now said he will evict him if anybody rings from social welfare, so friend so worried now, as him girlfriend and baby could have no home.

Xiney

If your friend's landlord tries to evict him, he can take him to court for unlawful eviction - these suits result in payments in the tens of thousands.

Have your friend contact threshold immediately.

Xiney

Besides, the landlord won't follow through - he knows if he evicts your friend, your friend will have absolutely no reason NOT to report him (and in fact probably realises that this would cause your friend to make doubly sure that the revenue get onto him). He's just trying to scare your friend.

Bad move...

brigadear

Yes I told him to speak to Threshold, which he will do on Monday morning, but landlord told him he could evict as their is no rent agreement between them. I told him he is just trying to scare you, but even I wasnt 100% on it.

Xiney

If your friend has been there for 6 months and a day or more, he is covered under Part 4 tenancy and his landlord is full of it

yabadabado

complete scare tactics form the landlord.

brigadear

Coincedintly(Excuse my spelling!) He is living there exactly 2 years today.

brigadear

Much appreciated all the info and advice, my mate in such a bad way last few days, even crying, I think if it was just him be ok, but he has his girlfriend and her baby, so he has them to think about.

Xiney

Excellent.

I would report the landlord to the PRTB for violating your friend's right to receipts for rent paid and a written rent agreement.

I would also report him to the revenue.


Threshold will be able to advise your friend on how to proceed, however.