Hello Coming back again with a question... We started to pay by cheque to our landlord. She took two weekly payments and refuses to take cheques any more .She is asking cash otherwise she'll change the keys and we have to move out right away. Can she do that by law?
Well I think we had the discussion already and as you did not sign any contract for renting the place, you are currently illegal in the accommodation for start...
That's why we wanted to pay by cheque, to prove that we live here and pay rent We are not refusing to pay it, we just want to get a proof ...
In the UK. Cheque is really really a pain for the guy accepting it. In other country, you can make a "blank cheque" and you get black listed by the banks. Here in the UK. If the landlord for instance accept a cheque with no money on it. Not only he will not have the money but he will also be charged by his bank. Barclays for example charge at the moment £25 for each cheque accepted. On top of those, it takes about 5 working days...so usually one week with the week end in between to clear. It also happens that sometimes, after the cheque has been cleared...let say two weeks after...well, the money disappeared from your bank account but the bank realised that in between the bank account of the cheque sender had no more funds. It is very difficult for landlord or any business person to accept cheque here in the UK. Pay by Standing Order or bank transfer is my advice. All the best