Missy has a rent problem. She doesn’t know who to pay rent to.

She is in a shared house with three others. One of the others has booked herself into a mental hospital with paranoia. That person is the only one in the household who knows who the rent is paid to and how it’s paid. No-one else even knows whether the rent is payed to a private individual or real estate agency.

So there’s no way of paying rent. What can Missy do?

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

I’m sorry, but I don’t know who to pay the rent to either.

One possibility is to wait (and save the rent) until a demand for payment is made. Then immediately make the payment with apologies and reasons for the tardiness.

Go and have a look through through the person’s room and see if there any pile of documentation regarding the payment of bills or rent.

Otherwise just wait. Someone who was expecting the money will be in touch soon to ask for it.

mollwollfumble said:

Missy has a rent problem. She doesn’t know who to pay rent to.

She is in a shared house with three others. One of the others has booked herself into a mental hospital with paranoia. That person is the only one in the household who knows who the rent is paid to and how it’s paid. No-one else even knows whether the rent is payed to a private individual or real estate agency.

So there’s no way of paying rent. What can Missy do?

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

The landlord will ask for it. Just make sure it all stays in the rent jar until that happens.

party_pants said:

Go and have a look through through the person’s room and see if there any pile of documentation regarding the payment of bills or rent.

Otherwise just wait. Someone who was expecting the money will be in touch soon to ask for it.

Yes look for documentation of some description

Cymek said:

party_pants said:

Go and have a look through through the person’s room and see if there any pile of documentation regarding the payment of bills or rent.

Otherwise just wait. Someone who was expecting the money will be in touch soon to ask for it.

Yes look for documentation of some description

I’m not sure I’d be going into someone’s room who has put themselves away with paranoia. I’d just wait, someone will be along and then explain the situation.

sibeen said:

Cymek said:

party_pants said:

Go and have a look through through the person’s room and see if there any pile of documentation regarding the payment of bills or rent.

Otherwise just wait. Someone who was expecting the money will be in touch soon to ask for it.

Yes look for documentation of some description

I’m not sure I’d be going into someone’s room who has put themselves away with paranoia. I’d just wait, someone will be along and then explain the situation.

That could be a problem yes
I was thinking by the time people contact her/them it’s overdue and others might be less forthcoming with the money

If there is documentation, it will probably be password protected on computer.
Or, given the paranoia, hidden with a friend of the person.

So there’s no register, or any way the police could help, I’ve wondered about housing commision.

I second the keeping her share of rent in a safe place until it’s called upon.

also I would advise my children to never be in a situation where you don’t know who you are paying rent to… since it can be easily sifted and if your name is on the lease you are liable..

I suggest ring Tenants Victoria and ask them.

https://tenantsvic.org.au/

Tenant advice line
(03) 9416 2577

This phone advice line is closed for the festive season from 24 December 2021 and reopens on 10 January 2022.

Monday to Friday 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Closed on weekends and public holidays

The approximate waiting time is over 30 minutes.

Calls are answered by lawyers, advocates and intake workers with specialist knowledge of Victorian rental laws.

roughbarked said:

mollwollfumble said:

Missy has a rent problem. She doesn’t know who to pay rent to.

She is in a shared house with three others. One of the others has booked herself into a mental hospital with paranoia. That person is the only one in the household who knows who the rent is paid to and how it’s paid. No-one else even knows whether the rent is payed to a private individual or real estate agency.

So there’s no way of paying rent. What can Missy do?

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

The landlord will ask for it. Just make sure it all stays in the rent jar until that happens.

But they will probably ask in writing, by mail, and you can’t be opening the other person’s mail.

Having MPD doesn’t really stop you from helping, and being transgender doesn’t impede at all, so depending on how severe the other householder’s condition is, they should just go in to the facility to check on their friend (which in fairness they should probably do anyway just out of general human kindness) and also ask for the name of the landlord or real estate agent. Probably don’t press for account details etc, just get the name and you can track it from there.

If this is in Victoria, have a look at the Residential Tenancies Act http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/vic/consol_act/rta1997207/; if Missy was on the original lease, she should have some idea where it was signed, and so have some idea where to go for more information. If she moved into the place after another lessee moved out, and the landlord wasn’t asked for approval, she (and the rest of the tenants) could be given 7 days to vacate, so waiting for someone to get in touch could be disastrous for her. That she (and the others) don’t know who to pay rent to suggests that she hasn’t been added to the lease.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

mollwollfumble said:

Missy has a rent problem. She doesn’t know who to pay rent to.

She is in a shared house with three others. One of the others has booked herself into a mental hospital with paranoia. That person is the only one in the household who knows who the rent is paid to and how it’s paid. No-one else even knows whether the rent is payed to a private individual or real estate agency.

So there’s no way of paying rent. What can Missy do?

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

The landlord will ask for it. Just make sure it all stays in the rent jar until that happens.

But they will probably ask in writing, by mail, and you can’t be opening the other person’s mail.

Having MPD doesn’t really stop you from helping, and being transgender doesn’t impede at all, so depending on how severe the other householder’s condition is, they should just go in to the facility to check on their friend (which in fairness they should probably do anyway just out of general human kindness) and also ask for the name of the landlord or real estate agent. Probably don’t press for account details etc, just get the name and you can track it from there.

I sense the hand of George Costanza in this

I suppose it is not too much of a breach of privacy to look at their mail unopened to see whether any of it is for instance from Ray White or Professionals or whatever

dv said:

I suppose it is not too much of a breach of privacy to look at their mail unopened to see whether any of it is for instance from Ray White or Professionals or whatever

Possibly a return address on the back flap.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

mollwollfumble said:

Missy has a rent problem. She doesn’t know who to pay rent to.

She is in a shared house with three others. One of the others has booked herself into a mental hospital with paranoia. That person is the only one in the household who knows who the rent is paid to and how it’s paid. No-one else even knows whether the rent is payed to a private individual or real estate agency.

So there’s no way of paying rent. What can Missy do?

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

The landlord will ask for it. Just make sure it all stays in the rent jar until that happens.

But they will probably ask in writing, by mail, and you can’t be opening the other person’s mail.

Having MPD doesn’t really stop you from helping, and being transgender doesn’t impede at all, so depending on how severe the other householder’s condition is, they should just go in to the facility to check on their friend (which in fairness they should probably do anyway just out of general human kindness) and also ask for the name of the landlord or real estate agent. Probably don’t press for account details etc, just get the name and you can track it from there.

Contact the facility first to make sure they are capable of accepting visitors.

The fact the flatmates are not on the lease suggests that the rental is not going through a RA and is a private thing, so just make sure you have the money available if the owner comes knocking on your door. (If it is paid by bank transfer, then that may not even be an issue)

I don’t understand why the other two aren’t in any position to help.

dv said:

roughbarked said:

mollwollfumble said:

Missy has a rent problem. She doesn’t know who to pay rent to.

She is in a shared house with three others. One of the others has booked herself into a mental hospital with paranoia. That person is the only one in the household who knows who the rent is paid to and how it’s paid. No-one else even knows whether the rent is payed to a private individual or real estate agency.

So there’s no way of paying rent. What can Missy do?

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

The landlord will ask for it. Just make sure it all stays in the rent jar until that happens.

But they will probably ask in writing, by mail, and you can’t be opening the other person’s mail.

Having MPD doesn’t really stop you from helping, and being transgender doesn’t impede at all, so depending on how severe the other householder’s condition is, they should just go in to the facility to check on their friend (which in fairness they should probably do anyway just out of general human kindness) and also ask for the name of the landlord or real estate agent. Probably don’t press for account details etc, just get the name and you can track it from there.

As long as all the money is still there, there won’t be a problem whenever the trails do all lead to you.

dv said:

I suppose it is not too much of a breach of privacy to look at their mail unopened to see whether any of it is for instance from Ray White or Professionals or whatever

Well, since it pertains to the other householders, yes.

Arts said:

I don’t understand why the other two aren’t in any position to help.

We just have to go with the information that hey are not.

roughbarked said:

Arts said:

I don’t understand why the other two aren’t in any position to help.

We just have to go with the information that hey are not.

Do we though?

Tau.Neutrino said:

I suggest ring Tenants Victoria and ask them.

https://tenantsvic.org.au/

Tenant advice line
(03) 9416 2577

This phone advice line is closed for the festive season from 24 December 2021 and reopens on 10 January 2022.

Monday to Friday 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Closed on weekends and public holidays

The approximate waiting time is over 30 minutes.

Calls are answered by lawyers, advocates and intake workers with specialist knowledge of Victorian rental laws.

Ta. I’ve passed that info on.

btm
> if Missy was on the original lease

She wasn’t, but one of the other tenants may be. Good idea.

Arts said:

I don’t understand why the other two aren’t in any position to help.

One of the other two may be. She/he was probably there from the beginning, but is relatively young and inexperienced. Missy has been there two years. The other is a recent addition from a month or so ago.

Rent payer is now out of hospital.

mollwollfumble said:

Of the other two people sharing, one is transgender and the other has multiple personality disorder. Neither is in a position to help.

Being trans and having a mental illness is not the reason they’re unable to assist.