New tenant making demand

Leilak · 27-10-2021 11:06am #1

I’m renting a room out in my house and my prospective tenant has asked if he can put his name on one of my bills. He says it’s so he can transfer his post from previous address which I cannot understand. Would anyone know why someone would want to do this ?needless to say I’ve declined but he still insists.

Bannasidhe · 27-10-2021 11:12am

I suggest your lodger (if living with an owner occupier they are not a tenant) gets his bank details changed so statements etc come to the house rather than putting bills in his name. This worked perfectly well for my former lodger. She had all her bank details, car insurance, driver's licence, etc at my address and never had any problems.

L1011 · 27-10-2021 11:16am

Could see that being used in some (futile, eventually) attempt to pretend that they were a full tenant not a licensee. Don't do it.

purpleshoe · 27-10-2021 11:22am

It seems odd to me.

Did he give a reason as to why this step is needed so that his post can be transferred?

As you said you have the declined the ask. It may simply be a lack of understanding on his side but I would be cautious going forward. If any other ask is made, which if granted may give him household influence, I'd asked him to leave.

Pistachio19 · 27-10-2021 11:24am

He can insist all he wants but you shouldn't allow this. Its your house and he is a lodger, not a tenant. As suggested he can amend his own bills - car tax/insurance/mobile phone etc.

27-10-2021 12:41pm

There's absolutely no reason for him to make such a request.

The only thing I can think of is if it's for an An Post mail redirection service, which requires proof of address. But as other posters have said, he can simply update his bank details and order a statement as proof of address.

agoodpunt · 30-10-2021 10:05am

they are a licencee not a tenant, this should be a red flag so you should reconsider the arrangement.

Utility bill can be used to secure loans if I am not mistaken

30-10-2021 10:24am

Changing your address with any institutions etc or using post forwarding with An Post requires proof of new address. They usually ask for a utility bill.

I would imagine he needs proof of address.

You cannot update bank details, or credit union details without proof of new address.

Akrasia · 30-10-2021 10:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093351#Comment_118093351

Yes you can

JayRoc · 30-10-2021 10:34am

I honestly wouldn't consider this to be a red flag on its own.

I would presume he is under the impression (correctly or not) that he needs a utility bill as proof of address to update his details with various institutions

30-10-2021 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093370#Comment_118093370

Can what ? Use address forwarding? Maybe. Long time since I used it.

You cannot change your address with any institutions without proof

Edit, checked an post, stated you need utility bill as proof of address in the post office

Thargor · 30-10-2021 10:47am

Yes you can I've done it loads of times, what do you think is the alternative if you can't?

Bannasidhe · 30-10-2021 10:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093391#Comment_118093391

I seriously doubt everyone renting out a room in their home allows their lodger to have their name on a utility bill, so it follows it has to be possible. My previous lodger changed her car reg/insurance to my address, then went into bank with docs from that to change address there - from then on her bank statement counted. If you have a public services card and a MyGovID a/c you only need proof that you are normally resident in Ireland if born outside the EU/EEA to change address on drivers licence. https://www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/update-my-personal-details.html#to-apply-to-update-your-address

Akrasia · 30-10-2021 10:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093391#Comment_118093391

To create a new account you need proof of address, once the account is set up, you can phone them or use online banking to change your address

Pawwed Rig · 30-10-2021 11:00am

I would say it is an innocent enough request. Up to you whether you want to allow it or not.

30-10-2021 11:17am

I literally moved house two weeks ago

Two work credit unions I have been a member of for 23 years, my bank which I have had an account in for approx 30 years, All require proof of new address in order to change.

Perhaps none of you have changed address lately?

30-10-2021 11:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093422#Comment_118093422

Insurance basically the same as a utility bill, so proof of address required.

Bannasidhe · 30-10-2021 11:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093500#Comment_118093500

Seriously - do you really think that the only way is to have your name on a utility bill? What about all those adults who still live with their parents? Do you think they have a utility bill in their name?

I have never been asked for proof of address when insuring my car. Ever.

While asking for a utility bill is common the only time my lodger ever had an issue with not having one was when trying to buy a laptop on finance in Harvey Norman's - so she went to Soundstore. Every other time a bank statement was accepted.

Dial Hard · 30-10-2021 11:44am

I updated my address (7 years after moving into my current house 😄) on my bank account and mobile phone bill last year and in both cases I just did so online with no verification required whatsoever. I've also never been asked for proof of address when insuring my car. Having said all that, I still don't think the OP's lodger's request is particularly unreasonable, especially if they're being told by a particular institution that a utility bill is the only proof of address they'll accept.

mrslancaster · 30-10-2021 11:54am

A utility bill is easiest for a lot of people as you get them regularly and it's current. Any letter or document from a government department showing your address is acceptable eg Revenue or Social Protection but they usually show other private information like a pps number that people don't want to share, so it has to be redacted. Also people dont always notify change of address immediately to Revenue or DSP so it can be out of date.

30-10-2021 12:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093522#Comment_118093522

No. I'm not saying it's the only way. But you need proof of address from something. It can be a utility bill is the easiest for the lodger. Who may not even have a car🙄

Adults who live with their parents are not changing their address, are they? But I'm sure they have bank statements, revenue or welfare letters or certificates with their address on.

Your lodgers bank statement was accepted because it had an address on it. If the OP s lodger wishes to change his address to his new address, he needs proof. However he gets it.

Fritzbox · 30-10-2021 12:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093572#Comment_118093572

Which particular institution will only accept a utility bill as proof of address? Sound's very improbable.

Darc19 · 30-10-2021 1:45pm

Easiest bill to put someone's name on is a TV Licence. Its a fixed amount per year.

They can also change their revenue details to the address and ask for an updated tax credits statement.

bucketybuck · 30-10-2021 2:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093497#Comment_118093497

I changed address in February. Logged onto my online banking and changed it, took about 60 seconds.

No proof of address or verification was needed, except of course for the obvious verification of needing my log in details and passwords.

Fandymo · 30-10-2021 2:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118079452#Comment_118079452

Same, I’m a liscensee in a house share. I just changed my address on my bank accounts and payslips and they’ve been enough for me to use for Garda vetting etc.

spurious · 30-10-2021 2:38pm

Perhaps it depends on the bank. My partner (Bank of Ireland) updated her address during the summer and had to send in a copy of a 'fixed' bill.

Christy42 · 30-10-2021 2:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118093779#Comment_118093779

Went back to the parents house a few years ago for a couple of months. Bank outright refused to change my address or even stop sending me post since I had no proof of address. Potentially it has changed or the particular bank worker didn't have a clue and was trying to spoof it. It was what I was told and since I wasn't expecting any serious post for the short period I didn't have a bill I left it.

Maybe there is now a better way but if they have had this experience or were told of a similar experience than they may not know it and the request has been made in good faith. I do not know if there is an improper use for this so be careful and potentially try and find a better solution.

Bigmac1euro · 30-10-2021 2:47pm

Online Banking changed in 30 seconds new address last year.

Car insurance changed setup for partner last Thursday no proof required either.

Mobile phone changed on the app no proof required.

Vet plan setup and no proof required either.

30-10-2021 3:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118094275#Comment_118094275

That's so odd. I changed address on my BOI account about 18 months ago and did it online, no proof needed.

Same for my AIB account, I changed it 18 months ago and just did it online. I know from prior experience that you can do it on their in-branch kiosks too.

Spook_ie · 30-10-2021 3:32pm

What if they actualy want to open a current account to maybe pay the rent? Lots of people making the assumption that they are changing the address for something they already have.

elperello · 30-10-2021 3:34pm

OP you are only offering to provide accommodation for a set fee per month.

The prospective tenant may have a problem with proof of address but that is none of your concern.

Tell him that you are not willing to put a bill in his name.

If he is not happy with that you can always get someone else.

Pawwed Rig · 30-10-2021 3:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118094459#Comment_118094459

Because it says it in the OP

He says it’s so he can transfer his post from previous address

jake frost · 30-10-2021 3:34pm

If your new lodger insists on this, what you could do is give him a photo copy of your ESB bill, and write on it that you are the owner of the house and that Mr. X is renting a room from you in your house and you sign it, this along with his pps card or other documents will be sufficient proof for most institutions.

Grumpypants · 30-10-2021 3:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215031/new-tenant-making-demand

Simple enough. They need their name on a utility bill to show proof of address. Very common.

I was trying to add my own middle name to my own credit union account. As occasionally I'll get checks in that name I need to deposit. Despite having my passport and driving license they needed a utility bill.

JimmyVik · 01-11-2021 9:35am

I always found a letter from revenue or a bank statement works instead of a utility bill if you dont have one.

You just explain that you are renting a room and dont pay utilities, but here is proof of address from revenue or my bank.

01-11-2021 2:28pm

Wild theories here !!!

OP, simply ask what they need the address for!

If it is for setting up a new account, bank details etc they most definitely will need proof of address, same with setting up NEW car insurance or a NEW phone. Anything that is new a lot of times you are asked for proof, but if you are there already or an existing customer they wont, same with changing anything they generally don't ask for proof again.

Some places are fine with no proof either, or even a letter from a landlord that you are renting the room, with phone and email.

it could also be for social welfare they need the address, we don't know !