Urgent advice please! Problem with tenant!

tbs624

I agree with B&T that being reasonable is a two way street but the OP is clearly an inexperienced LL ( having bought the property with an inheritance *edit, thanks B&T) and previous threads suggest that she herself perhaps has difficulty with communicating in an adult fashion.

See
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2612957
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/35302237#Comment_35302237

tbs624

MadnessOfHPC wrote: »

Don't be ridiculous. My financial statements are entirely confidential.

Of course they are sweetheart and that's the point

MadnessOfHPC wrote: »

And how could any landlord disappear with any deposite when the landlord's tied to the property. Please think before you engage the keyboard. Thank you.

If you're not sure how LLs disappear leaving a T (a) kicked out of their home and (b) without their tenancy deposit then you must have a poor awareness of LL & T issues.

Here's one example for you https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2724871

tbs624

sinbad182 wrote: »

"it is not my problem that there is a leak - and you MUST arrange a time to suit me! I dont want you in my home without me being there as I don't know how the dogs will behave so sort it out"

You dont talk like that to anyone, its needlessly rude and hostile. Fair enough if the landlords plumber appointment is not convenient, and you dont want them coming in without you, but to leave a message like that without offering any possible alternate times is just looking for an argument.

OP's side of the story only - we don't know what the OP has said to the T, on this occasion or previously.

BitterAndTwisted

Not inherited but bought with an inheritance. After a tenant pestering 24/7 and not paying on time I suspect it won't be much longer before the OP gets fed up and finds an alternative and less time-consuming investment vehicle. I know I would

clutton_2

an emergency - by definition - cannot wait.... i would go in with the plumber at the earliest opportunity

Good Plumbers dont sit around waiting for the phone to ring.. they are busy people...

the alternative is that the LL gets the tenant to sign a statement saying that they will be responsible for payment of all additional damage and repairs caused due to the refusal to allow access for an emergency repair..

In any case escaping water IS an emergency repair in my view.. water and electrics just dont mix - a judge would laugh me out of court into the land of heavy fines or custodial sentence if i electrocuted a tenant (knowing there to have been a water leak) and had not made serious immediate attempts to make this property safe.....

if there is no outside st0pcock - the ONLY means of preventing this is by turning off the internal stopc0ck - with or without the tenants' permission..

paul1964_2

tbs624 wrote: »

OP's side of the story only - we don't know what the OP has said to the T, on this occasion or previously.

Precisely. Looking at this thread and the two that you have linked to, the OP comes across as a rather uptight, demanding LL.

I would not be surprised if the tenant was on another forum complaining about the LLs overbearing attitude and being advised to find another property at the end of the fixed term.

amy104

If I had a leak in my rental I'd want it fixed straight away and be more than happy for the letting agency to have access in my absense. If the tenant is worried about how her animals would react to a stranger in the house could they not be issolated in another room away from the leak? My LA use the same plumber time and time again who I have met previously and they normally just give him the key (with my permission). I think as a tenant you have to be sensible and allow access when necessary.

paul1964_2

clutton wrote: »

an emergency - by definition - cannot wait.... i would go in with the plumber at the earliest opportunity

Leaving aside whether a bit of lifted laminate constitutes an emergency, would you still go in if the tenant has requested that you do not enter the property due to the presence of the dogs?

If you did and the dogs bit the plumber and yourself, what would be your next course of action?

Just curious.

tbs624

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Not inherited but bought with an inheritance. After a tenant pestering 24/7 and not paying on time I suspect it won't be much longer before the OP gets fed up and finds an alternative and less time-consuming investment vehicle. I know I would

Come on B&T - this LL has posted on here at least 3 times on pretty basic LL and T issues.

Notice that the OP didn't post back on the two days late/underpaid rent issue, having twittered on here about it instead of picking up the phone and talking direct to the T?

OP - if you are going to continue as a private sector LL why not sign yourself up to Tessa Shepperson's LL Law site and/or get some training via the local council's private sector housing team/the NLA.
Renting property is essentially a people based business and some find it harder than others.

far2812

TBS264 - clearly you seem to seek the negative in people's personalities. I personally think I have been very understanding of the tenant - I have not listed all the other jobs that have been done for her by myself.

Anyway, it is about reasonable requests and reasonable response times which I have tried to facilitate.

Your comment "and previous threads suggest that she herself perhaps has difficulty with communicating in an adult fashion." is quite uncalled for really - but hey, rather that than ignorant!

Thank you to all who have provided constructive advice either way!