Renting - muddy feet

Geenie

I don't know how to do a double quote but I think Chappers and paul1964 BOTH make valid points.

Chappers firstly, because a LA or any estate agent should make sure that people are not coming into a house in these present conditions without removing their footwear if they know the flooring will be messed up. It wouldn't bother me, as I live out in the country and I am use to muddy floors. I have never asked anyone to remove their footwear in my home, but some visitors do it automatically. Other people are strict about their flooring so respect should be shown. I can't believe a LA hasn't had this problem before!

paul1964 also makes a valid point though, because if you want to let your home out but think it will come back as perfect as before, then you are in for a big disappointment. You have to be realistic and factor in some costs to yourself as a LL.

Good luck OP.

fozzeh

Double quote would be do one quote, copy it all, press back, go to next post, quote, paste, repeat if necessary.

Agreed with what you say Geenie and the sub quoted posts. I'm happy with letting the property out and the whole reason of getting a deposit would be for things like this at the end of the contract. However, the LA negligence has left a job for either me to do or the upcoming tennant which is preventable...and it is quote a fair bit of mud.

I'm just thinking that if the upcoming tennant does mention it as a problem, what to do...hhmmm...

BitterAndTwisted

I would arrange for the carpets to be cleaned before the tenants move in and keep the receipt to offset against your tax-bill. No tenant would welcome having to do the carpet-cleaning on starting their tenancy and why should they? It's not their job to do your cleaning for you. A tenant's responsibility is to return the property and all its contents in exactly the same condition as they were at the start of their tenancy, not cleaner.

diable

With a rental you need to minimise the associated costs, get rid of the carpet and lay down plastic floor. If mud on your carpets is a worry for you then wait until you see your flat in a years time, especially if the tenants have mental or drugs issues and you see your kitchen cabinet doors in the garden.

cheepskate_2

If i was going to look around a property that i wanted to let and the agent told me to take my shoes off as the LL was a bit iffy on the carpet getting dirty, I would look for another property.
My reasoning would be if this was wehat he was like now, i wqould dread to think what they would be like as time wore on,

Out,_Vile_Jelly

When I've come to the end of a tenancy and the agent is showing new tenants around my place, I always have to politely remind them to wipe their feet, ensure all doors are locked and lights are turned off when they leave. You'd think this was basic manners and common sense, but letting agents are sadly lacking in these.

poppysarah

Where's the mud come from? Are they climbing through a muddy field?

Put a big bristly doormat outside the front door.
Put a door mat inside the front door.

fozzeh

1) Will keep it in mind about the offsetting on the tax bill. Any chance, does anyone know if you can consider the money taken from a property to be offset against your personal tax allowance? (Wife is a SAHM so may be able to look at things that way).
2) Tennants are referenced so I'm hoping we don't get any skag heads in...but you never know!
3) Common sense usually won't prevail.
4) It's coming from an un-manned road. Yes, it isn't ideal...but easily avoided.

Yorkie1

Someone recently asked in the In Your Home forum whether those 'Dirt trapping' doormats were any good. The general consensus is that they do work well. Might be worth considering putting one in - even if you can't get it there in time for viewings, it might help any future tenants keep the carpet cleaner and your worry down.

Brit_Chick

This reminds me of the last property that I rented. The landlady made me signed a written declaration that I wouldn't walk on the floors (hardwood floorboards) with high heels.

Why I didn't take this an an indication of what was to come baffles me.