S21 Notice Error - How to say sorry

N79

Lots more good ideas and points to think about - thank you all for taking the time to post. I will look into the voucher for a trip out for the kids as well - that sounds like a great idea that I had not crossed my mind.

I agree that the damaged relationship is what needs to be rebuilt here which is why I don't like the idea of a cash "gift" because it just seems so impersonal and almost like a refund of money that I owe them - which I do not. I just didn't want to make things worse if the feeling was that a gift would feel weird coming from someone with whom you only have a business relationship. I am now definately reassured that they will not think that this is the case.

As an aside I would not be willing to mess around with the rent because of the potential for it to confuse matters if I later have to evict these Ts for non payment of rent - I know it should not really make any difference but one thing I have learnt is to keep eviction proceedings simple and uncluttered in order to ensure maximum possibility of success.

DVardysShadow

chewmylegoff wrote: »

you haven't caused financial loss, and everyone makes mistakes from time to time - you didn't do anything deliberate to inconvenience them.

Stress can be cause more hurt than than financial loss

therefore i think an apology accompanied by a gift such as a hamper would be all that i would give. i certainly wouldn't be thinking about giving them rent rebates - there's no need to do so, and you are, after all, running a business.

You need to think beyond financial. There are things beyond money,

tasha-debt

I think supermjarket vouchers will be very welcome in the run up to Christmas and maybe something for the kids.

x

Mum_of_3_3

My in-laws gave us a family pass to a theme park last year, it was one of the best presents we've ever had! It meant a day out for almost nothing (we had to buy food & drinks obviously).

Or how about a family pass for the local cinema? You could find out how much it is to see a 3d film there & chuck on a few quid for popcorn & drinks.

You could present it with a bottle of wine/bunch of flowers so that the parents get something too!

M_o_3

Imp

Send them down to Brewers, or somewhere else that does decorating supplies. Get them to pick one room (not bathroom or kitchen), and pick the wall paper/paint/curtains for that room. Then arrange for it to be decorated to their taste.

Based on how much my wife likes choosing decorations, the woman of the family will love the chance to "nest".

theartfullodger

Do as you would be done by.. (Not a bad way to run one's life...)

Mind you, at least you now have a valid (presumably) S21 in place for if you need it...

Ask them what they'd like?? They might suggest some sensible improvement/tweak to the place - which might be to your advantage also... They'll know the property much better than you...

Cheers!

Lodger

franklee

The point that you have not caused the Ts any financial loss, only stress and time wasted looking at properties on the market, is hardly the issue. If you undervalue their time & stress in their eyes you could make things worse than if you did nothing more than a sincere apology. As a tenant the last thing I'd want is flowers from a LL. Flowers and a bottle of wine underplays the stress so IMO a gift too small is worse than none. So something substantial like decent cash off the rent or a new something or other for the house, e.g. upgrade an older washing machine to brand new or replace some worn carpets depending on what the tenant would appreciate or stick to just the sincere apology!

SplanK

I agree with franklee's post - esp at this time of year with the run up to crimbo, a nice rebate of rent would be very very welcome - i know i would love that from the mortgage company...

Maybe instead of just giving the cash - maybe go ahead with your flowers and wine idea - but pop the money into an enverlope instead of just handing it too them with a "im sorry" note would go down much better I thinks and would be a nice suprise as chances are they may just be expecting a letter or card - not cash!

chewmylegoff

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Stress can be cause more hurt than than financial loss


You need to think beyond financial. There are things beyond money,

if this goes beyond the financial, then why is a cash reimbursement appropriate? they didn't pay rent and then not get to live in the house for the period for which they'd paid rent. stress may cause more hurt than financial loss - but you cannot reimburse stress with money, so it's irrelevant in my view.

the only thing that can really sort out non-financial loss is a genuine apology. back it up with a token gift of some sort, fine, shows you've made some sort of an effort and mean it. money doesn't do this, and anyone who wants some money in this sort of situation is just being greedy - wanting something for nothing.

granted, if my LL gave me some cash i wouldn't refuse it; however, i would be extremely surprised to get any, just because the landlord has made a mistake. likewise, if he served me a S21 on purpose, and then withdrew it, i wouldn't expect money from him. the only circumstances i would expect money would be if the landlord didn't provide what he was obliged to under the contract in return for the rent i had paid. that is not what has happened here. a landlord is not a charity.

chappers

As I said I wouldn't do anything with the rent, but I wouldn't be going over the top here either. So far the best idea i have heard is a family pass for a local theme park that way it shows that you are thinking of them as a family who rent your house ,and do take that into consideration, and not just as someone who rents your house.