Virgin tenant, property needs work

bigriggers

Evening all,

My partner and I have recently viewed a property that we like, although it's not in a good condition at the moment. We've met up with the LL, although he is in the process of changing the LA as he's unhappy with the service of the current one.

LL has promised several changes to the property if we proceed, such as change a couple of carpets, paint a ceiling, wallpaper a bedroom and a couple of other odd jobs.
Now obviously we want some assurance that these things will be done, but being new at this renting lark we're unsure on how to get this guaranteed. My thoughts were to proceed with the formalities with the LA and put down a holding fee, and wait until the work is done before we sign the contract and move in. Another thought was getting the extra work added into the contract if he doesn't finish by the agreed deadline.

Any opinions on this please guys and gals?

BitterAndTwisted

I'd go for option A and then option B if the work's not done by the time you want to move in and you really, really want the place. If the LL can't be bothered to satisfy option A (which I think is reasonable) then I'd probably be thinking twice about whether they are the right LL for you any way.

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

LL has promised several changes to the property if we proceed, such as change a couple of carpets, paint a ceiling, wallpaper a bedroom and a couple of other odd jobs.

Promises, promises! there will be a lot more wrong with this property than you think, a second viewing would probably confirm this.

If this LL is prepared to carry out viewings on a property requiring that amount of work, the LL will be a chancer.


Option a: Avoid

Option b: Avoid

tbs624

bigriggers wrote: »

LL has promised several changes to the property if we proceed, such as change a couple of carpets, paint a ceiling, wallpaper a bedroom and a couple of other odd jobs.

What you've listed there amounts to a day's, or at max a day and a half's, work. If this LL was keen on maintaining a decent property he'd have got it done as soon as his last lot of Ts moved out and he dropped the LA. Or if he was really keen on you signing up he would have volunteered to get it done within the week.

There was a thread started last year by another poster (Garcon ) advice needed on a viewing , property with a few things to sort, promises made, he moves in and for the past 12 months he's been posting on here with one thing after another.

Unless there is something *really* special about the location/size of this property for the money asked, & you *can* get the LL to sort stuff within the week, then I agree with PL - I'd look elsewhere. Avoid holding deposits at all times unless you have a very clear statement, signed and dated by the LL, of the circumstances under which it would be returned to you,

Jowo_2

Insist on it being done as a condition of your moving in and have this in writing, or walk away if there are plenty of properties in the local area in better condition. I agree with the previous posters that there are loads of threads on forums by tenants disappointed that promised work has not been undertaken after they've moved in. Talk is cheap.

princeofpounds

Look, you'll have to make your own judgment about the quality of the LL - a lot more goes into is than this one issue - but with regards to the work, the key is to get it in writing.

Even better, get it written into the contract explicitly stating what work is to be done to what standard and in what timeframe. Also include a mechanism of redress - if the LL does not complete, allow a rental deduction or offset to get it done yourself. Make sure you get a LL signed copy.

If you don't, i can almost guarantee you it will not be done. (Based on my sample of 7 lettings, 5 broke pre-move promises - mainly cleaning - although I managed to enforce the last couple of those when I began to learn how rentals really should work).

This will cover you enough for this specific issue. Waiting until the work is done to sign is not really necessary though o