Landlord insisting on changing from Bank Transfer to collecting rent.

BackforFPL

Been in my house for four years. Rent always paid by standing order. Never missed a payment. No problems there.

Lease about to be renewed. Landlord now wants to call over every month and collect "cash or cheque."

I really don't want the hassle of this but I'm presuming if he puts his foot down there's nothing I can do about it and will have to comply.

I have no notion why they'd suddenly want to change to a method that's more hassle for him but there you go.

Is there anything I can do to maintain payment as is?

OldMrBrennan83

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BackforFPL

Patww79 wrote: »

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How does it work as a tax move though?

I'll be paying by cheque as there's no way I'm keeping that much cash in the house. Can you still cash cheques easily? I thought you had to lodge them these days.

Senna

Pay by cheque and make it account payee only.

First time he calls around I'll also make sure I'm called away at the last minute on urgent business, just before he is due to arrive.
If he has a problem, go back to DD

Donal55

Patww79 wrote: »

Tax move. But yeah, the way things are you may comply.

Yep, take up his offer to pay by cheque, see what happens.

BackforFPL

Donal55 wrote: »

Yep, take up his offer to pay by cheque, see what happens.

Hope I can still find one of my old cheque books!

sunnysoutheast

I'd pay by cheque only in this scenario.

ED E

If he's financially stressed keeping transactions out of his bank account is a good way to hide funds from the bank.

Watch out for mail to him arriving at your door, sure sign he's pretending he lives there now.

pilly

Could it be possible LL has received a complaint about you and he's using it to check up on the place for a while?

Alun

Cheques??? Welcome to the 1970's ... I don't even have a cheque book any more, and what's more they're going to start phasing them out by late 2018.

BackforFPL

pilly wrote: »

Could it be possible LL has received a complaint about you and he's using it to check up on the place for a while?

Highly doubt that. Absolutely zero reason for any neighbour to complain about us. House is kept well.

BackforFPL

Alun wrote: »

Cheques??? Welcome to the 1970's ... I don't even have a cheque book any more, and what's more they're going to start phasing them out by late 2018.

I know. But rather that than keeping large amounts of cash in the house on a regular basis.

pilly

BackforFPL wrote:

Highly doubt that. Absolutely zero reason for any neighbour to complain about us. House is kept well.

Okay, must be under pressure money wise so. But you're right it's not very easy to cash cheques now. Unless he knows someone who will do it for him.

Not much you can do really though.

James 007

BackforFPL wrote: »

I know. But rather that than keeping large amounts of cash in the house on a regular basis.

Take the cash out one hour before he arrives, then you dont need to have cash lying around.

BackforFPL wrote: »

Hope I can still find one of my old cheque books!

Cheque books go out of date too

rawn

James 007 wrote:

Take the cash out one hour before he arrives, then you dont need to have cash lying around.

Screw that. Why go to that effort at all when standing orders work so well for both parties?

BackforFPL

James 007 wrote: »

Take the cash out one hour before he arrives, then you dont need to have cash lying around.

Not a viable option. I'm not even happy walking from my bank to my car with that much cash just to facilitate someone else pulling a scam.

Basically he's not getting cash from me.

Cheque books go out of date too

I'm pretty sure you're wrong there. Unless they're in punts I think I'm fine.

OldMrBrennan83

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BackforFPL

rawn wrote: »

Screw that. Why go to that effort at all when standing orders work so well for both parties?

Exactly.

I cannot think of one reason that he's insisting on this change that doesn't involve him pulling some manner of tax scam.

BackforFPL

Patww79 wrote: »

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I'll video myself handing the cheque to him every month if I have to!

vandriver

James 007 wrote: »

Take the cash out one hour before he arrives, then you dont need to have cash lying around.


Cheque books go out of date too

Cheques,once written go out of date.Not chequebooks.

GhostyMcGhost

I was in the same boat before and it was landed on me the day we signed

I had 3 major issues with it and I'd never do it again

1) I could only widthdraw €700 cash per day meaning had to do it over 2 days

2) I had to wait around when the landlord said he was calling. He wasn't great at it, he'd send me a text at 1 or 2 saying he'd drop around in the evening

3) I'm going for a mortgage now and I would have a hard time showing the bank proof that I was paying rent. I literally could have been spending that money on anything


If your been paying DD all along just tell him that you're not stopping now. If you're a good tenant he won't want to upset you

Ghekko

I'd also refuse cash payments as at least with cheques, payable to him, you have a paper trail. If he asks for cheques payable to cash, refuse. Also cheques cost you more with stamp duty, albeit a few cent each.

Just give him cash and never mind messing with cheques. Never understood this fear of carrying cash, it's never bothered me in the slightest.

That being said I don't understand why he is happy with cheques but not a standing order. If he insisted on cash it would make sense as it has advantages but not really cheques unless it's purely to check up on the house regularly.

As for cashing cheques, some local business that know you will still cash cheques especially if you are a good customer (local pubs being one I've seen do it). But it usually wouldn't be for rent sized sums of money.

OldMrBrennan83

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BackforFPL

Madison Howling Cookie wrote: »

Just give him cash and never mind messing with cheques.

Nah. I won't do that.

Never understood this fear of carrying cash, it's never bothered me in the slightest.

Good for you. I'm not happy having that much cash in the house once a month. If I get burgled at the moment all I lose is my laptop and whatever's in my wallet not a whole month's rent.

Why should I take risks with my money just because my landlord is trying run some scheme to avoid tax or whatever?

And then's there the money trail. There's mortgage applications in my near future. It's hugely inconvenient for me if I can't prove that the money is for rent.

justinmg1

Hi op, there has been alot of what to do etc. Something that strikes me is a simple question. You have been in the property for 4 years. How has your relationship been with you LL? If indeed they may be in financial strife they may feel embarrassed confessing this to you. In relation to rent, although it may be an issue with cash have you thought about asking them (on your terms) if you pay cash you want a signed receipt from them, if by cheque the same. It is your paper trail no different by bank transfer. Ultimately if you have a good relationship with them thus far.....

Edit: I should have mentioned. They are on the back foot when it comes to payments as they want to change the arrangement. You are in control to set a time and date that suits you. Remember that. If the miss it , not your problem....

jimmycrackcorm

Brysen Happy Ear wrote:

Just give him cash and never mind messing with cheques. Never understood this fear of carrying cash, it's never bothered me in the slightest.

You think that heading off to an ATM two days on a row to get cash is not messing compared to the twenty seconds it takes to write a cheque?

A tad flippant.

4ensic15

It sounds like he is in trouble with his bank or his wife. The rent cheques can be lodged or cashed elsewhere. He obviously does not mind getting cheques and paying the tax but doesn't want his bank or his wife to know about it.

I love Sean nos

What does your lease say about methods of paying the rent OP?

Yourself isit

He probably has to give you a rent book of paying by cash.

As others have said - you went have a record for the mortgage.

I'd say no.

mrcheez

BackforFPL wrote: »

Been in my house for four years. Rent always paid by direct debit. Never missed a payment. No problems there.

Lease about to be renewed. Landlord now wants to call over every month and collect "cash or cheque."

I really don't want the hassle of this but I'm presuming if he puts his foot down there's nothing I can do about it and will have to comply.

I have no notion why they'd suddenly want to change to a method that's more hassle for him but there you go.

Is there anything I can do to maintain payment as is?

Refuse and say that it will be a problem for you to change.

You pay rent to stay in their place. Your obligation is to get money into the landlord's account, not how you get it into the account.

Direct Debit is the only suitable method that you are comfortable with (tell them you don't own a chequebook, aren't comfortable with having to stock cash in the house, and also cannot guarantee you will always be in the house on collection day - maybe work commitments, or away on holidays.. additionally Direct Debits give you a clear record of your spending on rent)

pilly

What everyone is missing here is OP is at 4 years there. LL could terminate the lease so I'd be threading carefully.

Yourself isit

Yourself isit wrote: »

He probably has to give you a rent book of paying by cash.

As others have said - you went have a record for the mortgage.

I'd say no.

He can't say no he is obliged to pay the LL by the method the LL chooses.

Water John

I think a family difference is the best logical conclusion of what the LL problem is.
Reciept and pay by cheque IMO.
When cheques stop being used is an issue down the road and you may have moved on by then. Just solve the problem in front of you.

BackforFPL

Madison Howling Cookie wrote: »

He can't say no he is obliged to pay the LL by the method the LL chooses.

Here's a question - If I sign the lease and the lease does not specify method of payment then is it grounds for eviction if I refuse to pay in cash and continue to pay by direct debit?

Surely you'd have a hard time throwing somebody out who's paying their rent.

BackforFPL

Water John wrote: »

I think a family difference is the best logical conclusion of what the LL problem is.
Reciept and pay by cheque IMO.
When cheques stop being used is an issue down the road and you may have moved on by then. Just solve the problem in front of you.

Cheque is something that will probably be the solution. My issue is though that it will damage my application for a mortgage. I'm aware that is not my landlord's problem but I'm trying to figure out the best option for me here and whatever scheme he's up to is not my problem either.

Water John

No it should not. You will be handing in records of you bank accounts. Tab each monthly payment for your rent.

Alternative is have a second current account that is also your savings account for your house deposit. Put in both the rent and savings into the account each month and the ONLY cheque paid out of this, is your rent.

Senna

Is there some legislation that the landlord must provide a rent book? Probably not necessary with DDs but if it's a cheque, OP could insist on one.

Also just to point out nobody pays their rent with a direct debit it's a standing order that is used to transfer rent from your account to the LLs account.

Ayuntamiento

The bit that would annoy me is the LL thinking he can call around every month without interfering with your right to peaceful enjoyment of your home.
Tell him that you'll post the cheque to him and make it payable his account only.

Pkiernan

Madison Howling Cookie wrote: »

He can't say no he is obliged to pay the LL by the method the LL chooses.

How are you determining this?
LL cannot evict based on payment method.

BackforFPL

Madison Howling Cookie wrote: »

Also just to point out nobody pays their rent with a direct debit it's a standing order that is used to transfer rent from your account to the LLs account.

You're right of course. I'm pretty sure everyone got what I meant though.

WICKL0W

I presume rent is decent enough and you like the place.

If he wanted to get rid of you he could because of impending new lease ? Could it be anything to do with Part 4 tenancy ?

See here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting_a_home/types_of_tenancy.html

Also set up another bank account where you pay the cheque out of by first transferring the rent by Internet banking with the same narrative as is currently there to show continuation of rent been paid for a mortgage lender.

Make sure you get a receipt too every time no excuse.

If is starts to get out of hand you could always lodge something into his bank account, a euro even, with narrative, "Joe paid rent" or a series of lodgements with narrative, "tax avoidance" etc !!

rawn

WICKL0W wrote:

If he wanted to get rid of you he could because of impending new lease ? Could it be anything to do with Part 4 tenancy ?

Why would he want to evict a tenant that pays on time every month, keeps the place well and doesn't bother him? He would be foolish to do this.

WICKL0W

rawn wrote: »

Why would he want to evict a tenant that pays on time every month, keeps the place well and doesn't bother him? He would be foolish to do this.

To Get a new tenant to pay higher rent. It Is a landlords market otherwise you would be telling him that you are continuing to pay by standing order.

uck51js9zml2yt

Take a copy of the Cheque for your records. Your bank statement will show it being cashed by the LL.

4ensic15

rawn wrote: »

Why would he want to evict a tenant that pays on time every month, keeps the place well and doesn't bother him? He would be foolish to do this.

Trying to obscure the level of rent when a new tenant comes?
The o/p should wring some concessions from the LL and pay up.

Pkiernan

LL can't require cash or cheque only.
No recourse to evict if OP continues with DD.

FAILSAFE 00

I'd ask why the landlord suddenly requires cash?

Its obvious he wants the cheque made out to cash too. I'd explain to him you'll be looking for a rent book to be signed if this goes ahead. That might snap him out of thinking he's going to keep this income under the table.

BackforFPL

BackforFPL wrote: »

You're right of course. I'm pretty sure everyone got what I meant though.

I was just pointing it out as a few others used the same term and it may confuse someone reading the thread in future who doesn't understand the difference between an SO and a DD and the different situations where one is used over the other.

Erik Shin

Pkiernan wrote: »

LL can't require cash or cheque only.
No recourse to evict if OP continues with DD.

Lease about to be renewed...LL can just say im not renewing your lease...Doesn't have to give a reason.... Tenant is out the door