My Landlord is being investigated for fraud, do i have to pay my rent?

Recently there have been a series of break-ins of properties owned by my landlord, but the burglars used keys. Nothing has been stolen from our property but someone has entered without permission, with a false story about repairs and our letting agent has no idea who they were. This happened in the same time-scale as the other burglaries.
The police are currently investigating the burglaries but i did some research and i found that my landlord is also currently being investigated by the police and the serious fraud office.
He is being investigated regarding not doing repairs, ripping people off etc. He even had to change his letting agent name because the reputation was so bad.
At the moment, my housemates and i don't feel safe, even if the locks are changed the key is still given to the letting agent/landlord which is where they were taken from in the first place, the police say it's ok not to pay any rent until the matter is resolved, is this right? Is he in breach of contract?

I recommend that you hire an attorney who specializes in landlord tenant law and begin looking for a new place to live.

I recommend that you do not do anything that might upset your landlord, such as refuse to pay rent.

If you refuse to pay rent that will just make it very difficult to find a new place to rent.

Your prospective landlord will check your rental history with your previous landlord.

You want a good report from your current landlord.

If your landlord is ripping people off as you say, you may have difficulty getting your deposit back.

Also if your landlord is in financial difficulty he may not have the money to give you your deposit back.

That is the reason that you need to talk to an attorney.

Fortunately most lease contracts include language that gives your landlord the right to his attorney fees and collection costs if he has to take legal action against you to collect the rent.

This works both ways. You have the right to recover your attorney fees and collection costs if you have to take legal action aganst him to recover your deposit.

Yes, if you want a roof above your head.

Yes, you are still bound by your rental agreement. It doesn't matter how bad or shady your landlord is; you are still required to pay according to the terms of your contract.

Yes, you still have to pay. It's called pay or get out. You don't get to live there for free.

You should consult your lease to ensure that there is a clause that allows you to not pay rent if any litigation is brought up against the landlord. Just because they're being investigated, doesn't mean they can't keep collecting money. If you don't pay, they may have grounds to evict you (which doesn't sound too bad in your situation). Bottom line: Find a new place to live!

He isn't in breach of contract until something happens to you. If they fail to make repairs on YOUR unit then you have the right not to pay rent until it occurs. However, if your unit is in order then you are still contractually obligated to pay your rent. What if he is found not guilty? Then you have months of back rent to pay. Also, you need renter's insurance to protect you against burglary. If you live in an apartment and it burns down or is burglarized, your apartment doesn't pay for you. Its a lowsy $22 a month. People that live in an apartment and don't purchase it are not the smartest.

You need to speak to a lawyer, or public service representative in housing to find out how to put your rent into escrow. This will keep you legally out of any danger of being evicted, or breaching your rental contract. Also speak to the lawyer about rental laws in your state to know what you can do about breaking your lease if you do not feel safe in the neighborhood. If you just stop paying rent, he can actually sue you and put a (UD) unlawful detainer on you and your room-mates credit records, which will cause problems when renting in the future.

If you don't feel safe you need to move. I don't think what the police told you is correct. Laws vary state to state. You would need to consult a lawyer about rental laws in your state. You also might try contacting the District Attorney's office as they may be able to give you advise for free.

check with your state, but some states allow you to pay your rent to the courts and they hold it until matters are resolved. your landlord probably wouldn't show up for court anyway, and maybe you can get out of your lease (which it sounds like you need to do - get the h*** out of there!) without any penalties and have the rent the court took in the meantime. Good Luck! I had a crooked landlord and I walked right out of my lease - she wouldn't have been caught dead near the courthouse, lol!

the landlord is being investigated not convicted or even charged.
If you don't pay you will find your butt on the street.

Yes. Unless the landlord is facing foreclosure, his legal problems is none of you business.

The police is NOT going to be investigating him for not doing repairs...so whoever told you that is just a gossip...police don't get involved in matters such as that.

I GUARANTEE the police NEVER told you not to pay rent...so don't make it up here...no police officer is going to advise you of that.

It's also ILLEGAL for the landlord not to have a key to your residence, and should there be an emergency in your unit, and the landlord discovers he is locked out...if he has to break in, or further damage results because of it, you are liable for EVERY DIME of expense he incurrs.

Since nothing has happened to YOU, there is no breach of contract.

I highly suggest you stop listening to neighborhood gossip and focus on your own life.

PS: A lock can APPEAR keys were used if a locksmith kit was used....these are frequently stolen and sell for very high prices on the black market.

lmao@ i bet the cops didnt tell you that........i can tell you 1st hand that cops have told me bad advice before so she dont know what the hell shes talking about........but to cover your on butt i would seek an attorney for sure...

The police told you not to pay rent? That is crazy. I am amazed they disclosed the investigation, they are seriously unethical, as well as not so bright.

Your rent is not associated with any legal troubles the landlord may have. You have no legal grounds to expect him to support you.

If you feel unsafe you need to move, but you can not violate a legal contract with something this weak as an excuse.