UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello,

I've only just found this forum, wish I'd found it a few months ago!!

I've got a tenant who owes me several thousand pound in missed rent so I've recently instructed a solicitor to start proceedings to recover the lost rent and evict the tenant. After the solicitor made contact the tenant has now produced a receipt for the missed rent and alleges that he came to my house and paid me in cash. The receipt has my signature but he has NEVER been to my house and NEVER paid me any money!

The receipt is fairly convincing and the signature looks very similar to mine, however, on closer inspection the signature is obviously scanned or traced from his copy of the rental agreement (The only place he would have access to my signature). I've never received any cash from him as the agreement stipulates payment by direct debit or bank transfer.

Any advice on where to take this? I'm leaning towards reporting it to the Police but wondered if anyone had any experience of something similar. Any idea's how i can prove I didn't sign this receipt or receive any money?

Proving something can be quite burdensome.

On the balance of probabilities is more interesting... is the normal way for the Tenant to pay rent cash, with a receipt... or via Standing Order? If the latter, then it would be suspicious.

I don't know what the Police would do. I think you could try it and let us all know. They may say it's some kind of civil matter... but it is true that what's really happening is a theft.

The tenant has been in for 6 months and only ever made 2 (late) payments in that whole time, both of these were via bank transfer after several reminders and warnings!

My solicitors' advice is to report it to the Police to investigate as it's Fraud. I'll be going to the police station later.

Thanks.

Hi as rightly said it is fraud but proving it will be some what hard to do, as  there is rent arrears involved, but on your side the tenant was told at start of tenancy to pay by bank/standing order. He was late on the two payments, its unlikely they came to your house to pay rent in cash, the police should investigate but as mentioned above they may try pass it as civil matter. The fact is he has produced a receipt with your signature is clearly fraud and you should stand your ground with the police. Please let us know what the police say, good luck