False work references

corelon

I had two people supply me with false work references and now suspect the reference for the previous landlord is also false. They claimed they lived in landlords house therefore there will be no rtb records.

They signed the tenancy agreement and supplied a deposit last week. I did not show the flat to anyone else since i received the deposit and now I am left with an empty flat. They were due to move in yesterday but after checking the references I am no longer going to rent to them.

I have talked to the police and RTB and both said I need to seek legal advise as to what to do with the deposit.

Does anyone know what I should do with the deposit as now i have an unrented flat due to these guys?

Tigger

corelon wrote: »

I had two people supply me with false work references and now suspect the reference for the previous landlord is also false. They claimed they lived in landlords house therefore there will be no rtb records.

They signed the tenancy agreement and supplied a deposit last week. I did not show the flat to anyone else since i received the deposit and now I am left with an empty flat. They were due to move in yesterday but after checking the references I am no longer going to rent to them.

I have talked to the police and RTB and both said I need to seek legal advise as to what to do with the deposit.

Does anyone know what I should do with the deposit as now i have an unrented flat due to these guys?

You have an unrented flat because you won't rent to them, sounds complicated; you should get legal advice.

Teyla Emmagan

Give it back to them.

Surely you will rent the flat on no time? I doubt you have any legal justification for withholding their deposit.

Just be glad you checked the references and move on.

corelon

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Give it back to them.

Surely you will rent the flat on no time? I doubt you have any legal justification for withholding their deposit.

Just be glad you checked the references and move on.

I see your point. Surely, is the operative word though here. If i dont rent on time? (meaning today) end of month..

Tigger

How fake were the references
Did you ring and they don't work there?

Mr. Incognito

Return the deposit and check the references prior to taking the deposit next time.

corelon

Tigger wrote: »

How fake were the references
Did you ring and they don't work there?

2 references.
Both same company ( company logo included)
False phone numbers
False Fax numbers
False managers name

1 of the applicants actually worked there
1 of applicants didn't work there

I looked up the companies phone number and rang. This is how I found out one actually worked there but other didn't.

They really did a lot of work on the reference to make them look original.

billybonkers

Give them the deposit back and move on, why would you need to hold onto it?

lifeandtimes

In a normal scenario you give back the deposit and move on.

Giving false references does not give you a legal right to hold the deposit.

However as leases are signed and deposits given I'm not sure you can just change your mind? You are required to confirm everything prior to agreeing and signing a lease which your tenants and everyone else has assumed you have done and due to this a contract has been made with you and the tenants based on this, you would now still need to give them the standard notice to leave the property I assume which is 30 days I believe
.

nuac

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