Advice needed.

[Andrjez]

Hello all.
I rent a room in a family home. I enjoy living here, it's out in the country and close to work. I get on reasonably well with my landlords and now have a dilemma.
The past month I have not been able to work after fracturing my finger in a car crash. I have been paid SSP, a very small sum and am entitled to benefits to pay for the rent. However, my landlord is sub letting without consent of his landlord and won't sign papers so that I can claim due to his position.
Should I just not pay him rent after discussing it? Should i offer him half the rent as a gesture. Or should I put it to him that as he is doing the dodgy I cannot claim what is rightfully mine, therefore he can't have his rent?
Please advise.
A.

[MrShed]

If you don't pay rent you will be kicked out, simple as. You have no security of tenure.

[Andrjez]

Thanks Mr shed
That may well be the case. I have been advised by two other people, one of which used to work for the benefits agency, not to pay.
I have a legal right to benefits. My landlord has no right to stop me. Surely he is in the wrong and as a result should suffer the consequence.

[blazing-badger]

Originally Posted by Andrjez

Thanks Mr shed
That may well be the case. I have been advised by two other people, one of which used to work for the benefits agency, not to pay.
I have a legal right to benefits. My landlord has no right to stop me. Surely he is in the wrong and as a result should suffer the consequence.

But he wont suffer. You will.

Have you checked with the Council that his signature is necessary on your application? If you have a rent book or receipt for rent that might be sufficient for them.

[Andrjez]

Just to let you all know this matter has been resolved. Instead of paying, I'm going to do some work that needs doing around the house. Painting sheds etc. Thanks for all your advice though.
A.

[demon_x_slash]

If it is at all possible, though, I really would try and find another place to live. What happens if a more serious problem comes along, or he decides to give you a day's notice to get out, or he says you broke something in the home and you say you didn't? With the situation you're in now you've got no legal protection whatsoever. Have you got it in writing that you will do odd jobs in lieu of rent?

[Andrjez]

No i haven't got anything written. Will be keeping a book of jobs done though. Am looking for somewhere else, to keep bills etc down. Am in rather a financial mess which is getting me down.
Thank you for the advice.

[demon_x_slash]

Tell the guy you're renting from exactly that over a beer or cuppa or something - that you're in a financial mess and you're sorting yourself out, and so from now on you want to get everything in writing and filed. Don't mention him, mention your bank or store cards or loans etc, have a bit of a moan about it, "I'll have to start writing everything down, that's the only way I can sort things out, what a pain in the behind..." Then a few days later, come up to him with a little notebook with all the jobs you're going to do written in it: "Oh, mate, can you sign each one off as I do it? It's all part of my turning over a new leaf..." Some people can get funny about putting things down on paper, so that's how I'd do it - nice and friendly and unthreatening.