Tenant living in a mess!

haggis38

I have a long term tenant (Scotland). She and her children are living in a pig sty. Do I have any rights as a Landlord to tell her how to live, can I tell her to clean and tidy up, or is it acceptable that as long as she get's the house back to the way she found it on departure is acceptable. On a visit to deliver her lease this morning, (unexpected, I knocked as she was in and I thought it easier that she just signed there and then) I could only decribe the place as a pig sty and smelly.:mad:

tek-monkey

Depends what you call a mess. One LA we had insisted on a second inspection because the sink in one of the bathrooms was dirty, it had a bit of shaving foam on it! As long as they are not damaging the property, and the deposit will cover any redecorating needed, I personally think you should let them live as they please. If they are causing actual damage though its a different matter.

Agbe

It's her home. It may be your house, but it's her home.

As long as she's not doing any actual damage, you can do nothing. She is allowed to be messy. There's no law against it.

Why do you care if the place is messy and smelly? If there's no damage, then what's the problem?

I mean, I wouldn't much like it either, but she is paying you, and her home. She is entitled to be as messy as she likes. She is your tenant, not your ward.

mlz1413

No you don't have any rights to tell anyone how to live.

I don't know Scottish law but assume you could give her notice when this lease runs out inline with your contracts terms.

If you want her to stay then you could book an inspection and see what the place looks like when you are expected round and judge her on that visit rather than an expected one.

tbs624

haggis38 wrote: »

I have a long term tenant (Scotland). She and her children are living in a pig sty. Do I have any rights as a Landlord to tell her how to live, can I tell her to clean and tidy up, or is it acceptable that as long as she get's the house back to the way she found it on departure is acceptable. On a visit to deliver her lease this morning, (unexpected, I knocked as she was in and I thought it easier that she just signed there and then) I could only decribe the place as a pig sty and smelly.:mad:

Couple of points:

(1) You have no right to call unannounced at the property, and knock on the door, expecting to be let in . You should have made a mutually convenient appointment if you wanted her to sign papers.

(2) Unless the T is causing the property to deteriorate or she is committing a criminal offence within the property you have no legal right to dictate how she lives. You have granted her "exclusive occupancy" and how she chooses to live whilst there is irrelevant.

I am taking a guess that you have just the one property. Have you registered with the local Council as a LL btw?

tbs624

tek-monkey wrote: »

Depends what you call a mess. One LA we had insisted on a second inspection because the sink in one of the bathrooms was dirty, it had a bit of shaving foam on it!

That LA should have been put in their place. The purpose of an inspection is so that the LL can meet their S11 repairing obligations, not give the T marks out of 10 for cleanliness and I would have refused their request for a second inspection in these circumstances.

haggis38

Thanks for those. To make it clear, I was about to post her lease through the door, I gave her a knock and was invited in. On previous inspections the house has been in a mess and she has found excuses to get me out as quickly as possible. I couldn't help but notice today that the walls were marked, flooring chipped, etc and a distinctly nasty smell. I am just concerned that things will get in such a bad way that it will cost more than her deposit to rectify.

haggis38

I am taking a guess that you have just the one property. Have you registered with the local Council as a LL btw?

Yes I have.

saadali

You can do if you inform him before a sufficient time period. Go with mutual understanding, it would be better for all of us.

edgex

haggis38 wrote: »

Thanks for those. To make it clear, I was about to post her lease through the door, I gave her a knock and was invited in. On previous inspections the house has been in a mess and she has found excuses to get me out as quickly as possible. I couldn't help but notice today that the walls were marked, flooring chipped, etc and a distinctly nasty smell. I am just concerned that things will get in such a bad way that it will cost more than her deposit to rectify.

thats not mess, thats damage
which is why you have a deposit from them, & presumably have some sort of record of the condition of the property prior to the letting.

Fire_Fox

haggis38 wrote: »

Thanks for those. To make it clear, I was about to post her lease through the door, I gave her a knock and was invited in. On previous inspections the house has been in a mess and she has found excuses to get me out as quickly as possible. I couldn't help but notice today that the walls were marked, flooring chipped, etc and a distinctly nasty smell. I am just concerned that things will get in such a bad way that it will cost more than her deposit to rectify.

As TBS624 said:
"You have no right to call unannounced at the property, and knock on the door, expecting to be let in . You should have made a mutually convenient appointment if you wanted her to sign papers."

Either use Royal Mail or request an appointment.