Are we being reasonable?

GrammarGirl

I need a landlord/lady perspective again, if you will!

This morning my OH and I viewed a few properties, one of which we really loved. It's in a great location, is cheap, big enough and has a great garden. However, we were told it has been rented for 4 years (to different tenants) without any refurbishment, and so it's looking quite shabby and run down, mainly in terms of decoration.

The walls are badly marked, wallpaper is ripped and there are cracks in the ceilings. The carpets are marked and ripped. We have a copy of the inventory from 2006 which states the damage, so nothing has been done since then (and maybe before) to rectify the damage.

Also, the kitchen and bathroom require some modernisation. The hob is missing the ignition button and there is a mixed shower installed which is broken.

Finally, the inventory states there is lots of what I would describe as clutter - mugs, cutlery, pictures, cushions, bed spreads, duvets etc, included with the property. We have all this already and really don't want to use someone else's, or have all this stuff taking up room in the house.

I guess my question is, are we being unreasonable, asking for these issues to be resolved? We'd be willing to pay more rent if the house was improved. Is this something you'd consider, as a landlord/lady?

Any opinions would be welcome. Thanks!

Zelie

The landlord/lady has done nothing to maintain this property in the last three years - why do you think that would change for you?

Honestly, I'd look elsewhere.

Georgie4

It's worth a try but I would be concerned about the fact that the landlord is even considering renting it out like this - how likely are they to come round and fix any issues you have if they think letting the house in this state is acceptable? I agree with Zelie and would look elsewhere

GrammarGirl

Thanks so much for your replies. We've spent the afternoon looking elsewhere and have found a number of places in much better condition (judging on photos) at the same price.

To be honest, we didn't notice a lot of the damage until we got a copy of the inventory. Only then, with a detailed description of everything wrong with the place, did we start to feel a bit uncertain!

The point about the landlady being unwilling to fix things is very interesting - I hadn't thought about it like that. Also, the current tenants have pets (a dog and THREE cats!!) so who knows what has permanently soaked into the carpets!

Thanks for your advice. We've already sent an email to the agents detailing our concerns but I think we will be withdrawing our interest on Monday. Any more thoughts are appreciated though!

jojo9239

Id of been concerned about nothing being done!!! Not a very good LL if u ask me x

lincroft1710

You say in your initial post that the property is "cheap" - yes cheap because it's the only way LL has hope of finding tenant. As others have said - reject!!

paintpot

I agree with other posters that the condition the property is in would indicate that the landlord is disinterested in their property, maybe they are in financial difficulties.

It is also "telling" that the agent showed you the old inventory. Most unusual in my experience. Maybe they are a reputable agent and were trying to tell you something indirectly!

From what you say, the property has priced in its current condition. You described it as cheap, so if major renovations were carried out then that would increase the rent. Also, the agent would likely have told you any renovation plans if they were on the cards.

As the property is currently tenanted it is hard to tell how much of the "damage and disrepair" has been caused by the current tenants. So giving the landlord the benefit of the doubt they may intend to put right some of it when the curent tenants leave. But I would not bank on it!

Even if promises are made to you about what will and will not be done, and if you did decide to proceed, you'd need to proceed with caution and ensure you checked the property over before signing a tenancy because lots of tenants are promised things that never materialise.

I am sure you will find a better property out there that has been well maintained.

good luck

GrammarGirl wrote: »

Thanks so much for your replies. We've spent the afternoon looking elsewhere and have found a number of places in much better condition (judging on photos) at the same price.

To be honest, we didn't notice a lot of the damage until we got a copy of the inventory. Only then, with a detailed description of everything wrong with the place, did we start to feel a bit uncertain!

The point about the landlady being unwilling to fix things is very interesting - I hadn't thought about it like that. Also, the current tenants have pets (a dog and THREE cats!!) so who knows what has permanently soaked into the carpets!

Thanks for your advice. We've already sent an email to the agents detailing our concerns but I think we will be withdrawing our interest on Monday. Any more thoughts are appreciated though!

charliee_3

as the others said reject reject reject!!! the LL is obviously either tight-fisted, difficult to deal with, lazy or totally disinterested in their investment.. who wants to be beholden to THAT????

and if the current tenants have all those animals and are that dirty the carpets will be riddled with fleas and god knows what else...

you'll find somewhere else much nicer..

Geenie

If you have found better places at the same price, I wouldn't give this one another thought. It sounds a liability and a dumping place for other peoples rubbish over the years. I don't understand how it could be let in this state unless significantly cheaper then anything else around.

JMW77

4 pets is hardly a zoo, i have twice as many and my house is not in that condition!
Sounds like the house was in a state before they moved in if there has been several tenants.

But clearly the Landlord is just after the rental income it sound like it needs a complete overhaul!

GrammarGirl

I think the amount of pets is unsuitable for the size of the house and the fact that it is a rental property. I grew up with three dogs and various hamsters/rabbits/guinea pigs, but that was in a big detached property with huge garden and lots of space for them. To be honest, when viewing the property I felt extremely sorry for the animals. I have nothing against pet owners and see nothing wrong with having a dog and three cats... if they can be looked after adequately and have enough space. I didn't feel that was the case here.

Anyway. In terms of the price, it was cheap yes, but not hugely so. We've seen several houses at the same price which are slightly smaller but in better condition. The price of this property was good for the size but for the state of the place it was actually overpriced, in my opinion. We'd be willing to pay more if a (pretty much total) refurb was done because then it would be a fantastic property.

Like so many have said, the state of the property and the seeming unwillingness of the LL to do anything is a warning. Although I have already emailed a 'negotiation' message to the agent, I think on Monday I will withdraw my interest. We've got quite a few other places to view and I'm sure we'll find something soon.

Huge thanks to everyone for contributing!