Landlord wants to pay water charge

dukedalton

Hi all,

I recently began renting a house and the landlord says that he will pay the water charge. I'm just wondering if anyone on here has any ideas as to why he's doing that? I have found out that he's not registered with the PRTB.

Thanks

Uriel.

the PRTB charge is a Tenancy Registration charge and is not an annual payment. It only becomes applicable on commencement of a new tenancy; where there's a material change in the tenancy, and also I believe once the tenancy hits 4 years duration, re-registration is required.

Seems strange that he'd be paying the water charge. Could be that rental income is not being declared to Revenue and/or he isn't paying property tax and/or he doesn't want the bank to know about the tenancy (if he is on a tracker rate and doesn't want to lose same).

All of the above would be playing with fire though.

You still maintain all of your rights whether your tenancy is registered with the PRTB or not.

gypsy79

He is definitely up to something dodgy. Not paying income tax is more likely to tracker and he is possibly doing it in more than one property

I would demand an extra 100-200 quid off my rent for the 'risk'. And you know have the ability to avoid all future increases

dukedalton

gypsy79 wrote: »

He is definitely up to something dodgy. Not paying income tax is more likely to tracker and he is possibly doing it in more than one property

I would demand an extra 100-200 quid off my rent for the 'risk'. And you know have the ability to avoid all future increases

What's the "risk" to me? (I'm asking because I honestly don't know).

gypsy79

There isnt really any but you are aiding tax evasion.

You will also not be able to claim the new tax credit

Uriel.

dukedalton wrote: »

What's the "risk" to me? (I'm asking because I honestly don't know).

Next to no risk. Your rights are protected under statute.

good luck making demands (backed by threats) for getting €200 off your rent.

cagefactor

demanding 200 less rent ? Get real !!! I'd kick you out if you made such a demand.

If it's registered or not it has no affect on you as your rights are the same.

Let him pay for it, saves you the hassle.

Uriel.

gypsy79 wrote: »

There isnt really any but you are aiding tax evasion.

No he's not and you don't know that tax evasion is going on.

You will also not be able to claim the new tax credit

Yes he will.

gordongekko

Op are you sure your ll is not just registering the account in their name and charging you when the bill arrives?

cagefactor

the tax credit for water charges ? How can the renter claim tax relief for water charges when they are not paying it ?

Beaner1

Hes pretending the property is his PPR. Now thus could be worth thousands to him. You have him by the balls so I'd demand a huge amount off your rent or you'll send letters to revenue and every bank in the country.

dukedalton

gordongekko wrote: »

Op are you sure your ll is not just registering the account in their name and charging you when the bill arrives?

No, he specifically said he'd pay it (so long as it wasn't exorbitantly high). Having said that, it was a verbal agreement and wasn't written into the contract as such.

cagefactor

Beaner1 wrote: »

Hes pretending the property is his PPR. Now thus could be worth thousands to him. You have him by the balls so I'd demand a huge amount off your rent or you'll send letters to revenue and every bank in the country.

Some big assumptions in that statement. Thousands ? What a joke. Sure might as well let the OP rent for free.

dukedalton

Beaner1 wrote: »

Hes pretending the property is his PPR. Now thus could be worth thousands to him. You have him by the balls so I'd demand a huge amount off your rent or you'll send letters to revenue and every bank in the country.

Haha, I appreciate the advice but I don't really want to start a war! I'm happy with the house; I just want to know if what he's up to will have any material impact on my tenancy

gordongekko

dukedalton wrote: »

No, he specifically said he'd pay it (so long as it wasn't exorbitantly high). Having said that, it was a verbal agreement and wasn't written into the contract as such.

What does the contract say about water charges?

Beaner1

dukedalton wrote: »

Haha, I appreciate the advice but I don't really want to start a war! I'm happy with the house; I just want to know if what he's up to will have any material impact on my tenancy

Do it for society. I'm sick of these lads miking it and not paying tax. The fact that water is linked to your PPS tells you everything. I'm making no assumptions as there is no other logical reason that a person would pay another's water charges.

dukedalton

gordongekko wrote: »

What does the contract say about water charges?

The contract says the tenant is responsible for all utilities bills. So, as I understand it, I'm legally liable for it. Yet before we moved in he offered to pay it and he took the registration pack from Irish Water when it arrived.

dukedalton

Beaner1 wrote: »

Do it for society. I'm sick of these lads miking it and not paying tax. The fact that water is linked to your PPS tells you everything. I'm making no assumptions as there is no other logical reason that a person would pay another's water charges.

What do you mean, water is linked to your PPS?

gordongekko

dukedalton wrote: »

The contract says the tenant is responsible for all utilities bills. So, as I understand it, I'm legally liable for it. Yet before we moved in he offered to pay it and he took the registration pack from Irish Water when it arrived.

I'm guessing you just misunderstood him either when you took the house ( water is included in bill) or at your last conversation and the ll is just registering the property in his name and will be sending you the bill to pay.

dukedalton

gordongekko wrote: »

I'm guessing you just misunderstood him either when you took the house ( water is included in bill) or at your last conversation and the ll is just registering the property in his name and will be sending you the bill to pay.

He was quite clear that he would pay the water charge. Just find it strange that I'm paying for all the other bills (as expected) but he wants to pay this.

Milly33

Jes I wouldn't see why you have a problem with it, just let him pay if he wants.. PRTB is useless I have to say not sure why they are there

gordongekko

OSI wrote: »

You're renting from someone who seems to be going out of their way to avoid their legal obligations. You're putting a lot of faith in them still being an upstanding landlord despite this.

You are making a big jump there based on no evidence.

gordongekko

OSI wrote: »

I'm making a big jump based on plenty of anecdotal evidence.

Google defines anecdotal

adjective

(of an account) not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.

"while there was much anecdotal evidence there was little hard fact"

dukedalton

OSI wrote: »

You're renting from someone who seems to be going out of their way to avoid their legal obligations. You're putting a lot of faith in them still being an upstanding landlord despite this.

I'm not putting faith in anybody. Just asking the question.

gypsy79

cagefactor wrote: »

demanding 200 less rent ? Get real !!! I'd kick you out if you made such a demand.

If it's registered or not it has no affect on you as your rights are the same.

Let him pay for it, saves you the hassle.

And I would love it when you tried. ABSOLUTELY love it

He wouldnt be paying it if he wasnt avoiding income tax. He is thieving from me by not paying 50%+ income tax to MY state

firestarter51

if he wants to pay the water
let him
i wish someone would pay my bills

whupdedo

Beaner1 wrote: »

Hes pretending the property is his PPR. Now thus could be worth thousands to him. You have him by the balls so I'd demand a huge amount off your rent or you'll send letters to revenue and every bank in the country.

What a scumbag suggestion, you dont know the LL circumstances

firestarter51 wrote: »

if he wants to pay the water
let him
i wish someone would pay my bills

Exactly, say nothing op, if your happy with the arrangements between yourself and your LL I cant see why your bothered, your fairly well protected whatever your LL is up to ( which is probably nothing)

runawaybishop

This in the country by any chance?

gypsy79

whupdedo wrote: »

What a scumbag suggestion, you dont know the LL circumstances




Exactly, say nothing op, if your happy with the arrangements between yourself and your LL I cant see why your bothered, your fairly well protected whatever your LL is up to ( which is probably nothing)

Which is most likely income tax avoidance.

Are you at it too?

whupdedo

gypsy79 wrote: »

Which is most likely income tax avoidance.

Are you at it too?

Every single chance I get

Kenjataimu

My landlord is doing something similar, I don't see him much but get on well with him.
I was talking to him a few days ago I told him I never received the pack.
He just said that he filled it out, implying that he filled his own details.

If he tries to charge me for his bill, I'll just tell him I want to transfer it over to my name.

Sun in Capri

Will leases have to be amended to provide for mention of water as a utility?

gordongekko

Sun in Capri wrote: »

Will leases have to be amended to provide for mention of water as a utility?

Doubt it I used to have to cross them out of mine.

kissmequick

I havn't got Water-Pack, does that likely mean my Landlord got it "for me?"

Diane Selwyn

dukedalton wrote: »

Hi all,

I recently began renting a house and the landlord says that he will pay the water charge. I'm just wondering if anyone on here has any ideas as to why he's doing that? I have found out that he's not registered with the PRTB.

Thanks

It can take a while for the PRTB registration to be processed so I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on that front. Also I wouldn't have a problem if someone offered to pay my bills for me - are you really worried because you can't claim back 20% of an amount you haven't paid? well I'm no maths genius but pretty sure that 20% of nothing is em...

dukedalton

Diane Selwyn wrote: »

It can take a while for the PRTB registration to be processed so I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on that front. Also I wouldn't have a problem if someone offered to pay my bills for me - are you really worried because you can't claim back 20% of an amount you haven't paid? well I'm no maths genius but pretty sure that 20% of nothing is em...

If/when you read my opening post you will see I didn't say anything about claiming anything back. Just thought the situation was odd and was asking if others could offer any suggestions. Thanks for your response.

yankinlk

i used to pay the bin collection on a rental simply because tenants regularly let it lapse before moving out. they also used to complain of rats... that ofc were caused by the rubbish they piled in the garden... genius.

the amount of back and forth confusion with IW would confuse any LL. maybe hes thinking of avoiding the hassle caused by a tenant deciding to "protest" the charge... its small potatoes to get it sorted right day one for a legitimate landlord.

in 12 months time you can bet the rental market will have corrected upwards to add this charge into every single tenancy out there.

Sixtoes

Sounds to me that he just added it in as bonus to help seal the deal. Fair play to him. Enjoy your long showers.

xper

yankinlk wrote: »

...maybe hes thinking of avoiding the hassle caused by a tenant deciding to "protest" the charge...

Maybe he's a militant freeman type and is refusing to sign up with Irish Water and making sure his tenant doesn't either. Really, we have no idea what the motive of the OP's landlord is, it's all just speculation based on very little evidence.

in 12 months time you can bet the rental market will have corrected upwards to add this charge into every single tenancy out there.

Most landlords are just going to go with the default of leaving it as a utility paid by the tenant and it won't impact rents at all.

yankinlk

xper wrote: »

Most landlords are just going to go with the default of leaving it as a utility paid by the tenant and it won't impact rents at all.

i hope thats the case actually... as rents are set to rise anyway. but seeing as its still october and we have no idea yet how iw is doing with registrations it may be too soon to tell

Mrs OBumble

Some LLs pay for bins, internet/TV, too, for reasons best known to themselves. Ours not to reason why, IMHO.

m'lady

OP are all the other bills in your name or his name?

dukedalton

m'lady wrote: »

OP are all the other bills in your name or his name?

Everything else is in my name.

Nomis21

Is it not possible that the Landlord is just a nice guy rewarding a good tenant by helping him out with his water bill?

My Landlord delivered me a trailer full of wood one year free of charge. I was delighted! Yet the reaction here of a LL helping out a tenant is one of immediate suspicion. This surprises me.

Are Landlords and tenants automatically assumed to be either side of a social divide? Isn't renting a property ever just considered a business arrangement between two parties that is to the benefit of both parties?

Not on this forum it seems. Here it seems like a perpetual state of war where any act of kindness has to be treated with the utmost suspicion.

dukedalton

Nomis21 wrote: »

Is it not possible that the Landlord is just a nice guy rewarding a good tenant by helping him out with his water bill?

My Landlord delivered me a trailer full of wood one year free of charge. I was delighted! Yet the reaction here of a LL helping out a tenant is one of immediate suspicion. This surprises me.

Are Landlords and tenants automatically assumed to be either side of a social divide? Isn't renting a property ever just considered a business arrangement between two parties that is to the benefit of both parties?

Not on this forum it seems. Here it seems like a perpetual state of war where any act of kindness has to be treated with the utmost suspicion.

And anyone posting here about with tales of woe stemming from an assumption of a landlord's "goodwill" will be met with howls of derision and smug declarations that their naivity and gullibility means they "got what they deserve."

Nomis21

The followers of this forum are a mixture of Landlords and Tenants.

Every time a Landlord posts a message about a troublesome tenant, some Landlords pitch in with aggressive suggestions up to and including metaphorically lynching the tenant and hanging him from a tree

Every time a tenant posts about harassment from a Landlord, the tenants want to organise a posse and get the Sheriff to lock the Landlord up for everyone's good.

I think that showing some understanding of each others point of view might be a needed breath of fresh air in here.

"Don't look a Gift-Horse in the Mouth" is my opinion.

Accept the gift of free water for what it is: a gift.

Doom

gypsy79 wrote: »

He is definitely up to something dodgy. Not paying income tax is more likely to tracker and he is possibly doing it in more than one property

I would demand an extra 100-200 quid off my rent for the 'risk'. And you know have the ability to avoid all future increases

Best of luck with that...You'll be looking for a new place to rent.

Beaner1

Doom wrote: »

Best of luck with that...You'll be looking for a new place to rent.

The landlord has no power to evict a tenant that wants to stay. A tax dodging landlord even less so.

Doom

Beaner1 wrote: »

The landlord has no power to evict a tenant that wants to stay. A tax dodging landlord even less so.

In the 1st six months...yes they do.

Beaner1

Doom wrote: »

In the 1st six months...yes they do.

A tiny minority are let without a fixed term lease so that doesn't apply.

ted1

Beaner1 wrote: »

The landlord has no power to evict a tenant that wants to stay. A tax dodging landlord even less so.

You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about landlords.

The landlord may be happy with the amount he is gettingin rent and The landlord may be claiming the water charge as an expense and writing it off Againest the Tax that he is paying.