PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.

We are renting! Is an email sufficient as being 'in writing'?

Firstly a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has helped us on our first move from our parents houses.

Its been a bit stressful, but without the advice being given on here we would have been a lot worse.

The letting agent we used was only being used for their 'finders' service, so now we need to deal with the Landlord direct.

We require to get a few things sorted with the house that we would like to clear with him.

Some require some holes in walls/ceilings:

1. Installation of broadband

2. Putting up curtain rails

3. Fitting of Smoke Detectors (we are going to approach our local fire service for doing this)

Do you think email will cover us if there are any problems in the future regards any disputes?

Thanks

Michael
«1

Comments

  • clutton_2
    clutton_2 Posts: 11,149 Forumite
    as long as you keep copies i dont see why email should not be acceptable.

    why not ask to meet the LL tho - at least that way you can each see who you will have to deal with in the future
  • mickym
    mickym Posts: 456 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    yeah it may be an idea actually....anyone else used email s an acceptable form of correspondance for work done to a house?
  • guppy
    guppy Posts: 1,084 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    mickym wrote: »
    yeah it may be an idea actually....anyone else used email s an acceptable form of correspondance for work done to a house?

    You can communicate however you want, so long as any contract you have doesn't specify otherwise.

    E-mail is good in that you automatically have a copy of what you write, but if you're expecting trouble, a hand delivered letter works better in my experience.
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Email is good particularly if you ask questions which you expect answers to.

    Tip- if you write an email and the landlord answers you via a telephone call write another email stating what the landlord said in the telephone call with the date and time of day implying you are asking for further clarification.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • SquatNow
    SquatNow Posts: 2,285 Forumite
    ALWAYS send a PROPER WRITTEN letter recorded delivery.

    Also, why are you getting the fire service to fire smoke detectors? Are you incapable of putting them up yourself?
    Bankruptcy isn't the worst that can happen to you. The worst that can happen is your forced to live the rest of your life in abject poverty trying to repay the debts.
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    SquatNow wrote: »
    ALWAYS send a PROPERY WRITTEN letter recorded delivery.
    Emails and faxes are sufficient to be used in court cases of all types.

    However you need to show that the email or fax was received by the other party.

    It's sufficient if the other party responds to some of your emails.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • paintpot
    paintpot Posts: 764 Forumite
    Hi there

    One thing he might say is that anything you install you have to leave behind when you leave the property - he might not but be prepared. Otherwise, unless you are going to remedy the situation to a good standard when you leave, your landlord is going to be left with holes in the walls/ceilings. However, I find it slightly irregular that the property doesn't have any curtain rails, unless there are other window coverings like blinds aswell? And whilst not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that landlords install at least battery operated smoke detectors if not mains operated. Maybe that's just me thinking that ;)

    I'd make an initial call to the landlord, introduce yourself, agree the way forward, get it writing, (email is fine) then if possible invite him round to see the work afterwards and then get him to sign an addendum to the inventory (I assume you have one) stating what has been done and what has been agreed or if not prepare one yourself, post it to him and ask him to sign it and return it to you.

    It tends to be things like this that cause issues at the end of tenancies. Especially if you stay there for some time and memories fade with time :rolleyes: - tenant says it was agreed they could do this that and the other, landlord says it wasn't or it was agreed but they have caused damage in the process.

    Some of my tenants who have recently left put some shelves up, not just a couple - I removed 40 raw plugs out of the two bedroom walls :eek: - yep, they left the holes and the raw plugs but not the shelves. I was not amused and no I didn't agree to it. I would have agreed to a "couple of shelves" only I didnt because they didn't ask but it just demonstrates my point :D
  • planemad
    planemad Posts: 569 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    SquatNow wrote: »
    ALWAYS send a PROPER WRITTEN letter recorded delivery.

    Also, why are you getting the fire service to fire smoke detectors? Are you incapable of putting them up yourself?

    Why fit them yourself when the fire safety expert can come to your house install the correct type of alarms for free and advise you on fire safety as well as do a fire safety audit.

    This is a service that is supplied by all fire departments and its worth taking the expert advise, please remember that the fire service are a service to us that we pay for in our council tax.
  • olly300 wrote: »
    Emails and faxes are sufficient to be used in court cases of all types.

    However you need to show that the email or fax was received by the other party.

    It's sufficient if the other party responds to some of your emails.

    If you are using outlook2003 you can set it up for read reciepts.
  • SquatNow
    SquatNow Posts: 2,285 Forumite
    olly300 wrote: »
    Emails and faxes are sufficient to be used in court cases of all types.

    However you need to show that the email or fax was received by the other party.

    It's sufficient if the other party responds to some of your emails.

    Why take a chance when you can just as easily post it?
    If you are using outlook2003 you can set it up for read reciepts.

    If the other person allows responses.
    planemad wrote: »
    Why fut them yourself when the fire safety expert can come to your house install the correct type of alarms for free and advise you on fire safety as well as do a fire safety audit.

    This is a service that is supplied by all fire departments and its worth taking the expert advise, please remember that the fire service are a service to us that we pay for in our council tax.

    Can confirm they do offer the service... or at least London fire brigade do: http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/fire_safety/community_fire_safety/hfsv.asp

    However, if you can't cope with fitting a smoke detector yourself, you probably shouldn't be at home unsupervised anyway.
    Bankruptcy isn't the worst that can happen to you. The worst that can happen is your forced to live the rest of your life in abject poverty trying to repay the debts.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 256.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.