County Court!!!!!

Watalie

Chillermiller wrote: »

I admit that I did treat the place like my home...it was until this filthy creatures showed up. My house was immaculate. It isn't after they left. I am mad. I am mad because I am out of pocket. I just want what is rightfully mine...that is the cost to fix my house. It is more than the deposit. I will sue. I just need to know how I can balance it in my favour given my inventory.

But you were happy to take their rent for 2.5 years yes? Even though they were "filthy creatures"?

Will you be claiming wear and tear on your Tax Return as well as charging them for this wear & tear?

I feel sorry for your tennants and I kinda feel sorry for you. There are many experienced landlords who have advised you on this thread, yet you carry on ignoring what you have been told.

alfiesmum wrote: »

Mould spores can cause a great many health problems, particularly respiratory (sp?) in younger/ older people. It is not caused by dirt, it can be caused by damp, or poor ventilation (opening a window can be enough to rectify it or control it). It is however the responsibility of the landlord to pay for all investigations into it's cause. I hope, I mean, suspect they might slap you with a counter claim if you continue. Keep us updated won't you, it's been a good laugh amongst the family as I've read out this thread tonight, cheers. Quite different to angering people like you said, I think others reading this thread are bound to have enjoyed themselves too! Nice one.

Exactly.

I am currently renting. We have french doors in the bedroom leading out to a small balcony. There are no vents. It is impossible to open the door - by a little bit. It's all or nothing, given the freezing weather we've had I don't want to open the door. We regularly get a build up of mold and mildew on the doors and the walls next to the doors.

We bought a bottle of Dettol Mold & Mildew Remover £3.49 from the supermarket. We clean it every week. Problem solved.

We are not dirty or disgusting and we cannot control the build up of mold. I have asthma, we could really do with some vents but without them the mold continues.

sonastin

Chillermiller wrote: »

the only part I don't get is why people feel that I harassed them? I just wrote emails and called a few times to try and get things sorted with the property. They wouodn't let me. HArdly harassment, people.

Once more, as you still don't seem to be getting it...

The behaviour you have described of repeated unwanted e-mails and turning up at their home is considered to be harrassment under LL and T law. This is a criminal offence. Your intention may not have been to harrass but that is the effect of your actions. I am glad you have ceased because your view of it does not matter - the courts opinion is what counts if your T chooses to go through with an accusation of harrassment.

tbs624

Chillermiller wrote: »

.... the only part I don't get is why people feel that I harassed them? I just wrote emails and called a few times to try and get things sorted with the property. They wouodn't let me. HArdly harassment, people.

and then look at:

I called them a few times and emailed them to tell them they were dirty and to get it right...but that is not harassment

and:

They changed the locks because they didn't want me to enter because I said I was going to--I wouldn't have, I just wanted access! I did x2 but none after that in final weeks. I wanted to take pictures (to prove they were filthy beasts) but denied me this!

You have already had it explained to you that your Ts are entitled to "quiet enjoyment" - that means living at the property without undue interference from you, as the LL.

The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 defines harassment as:

"any act(s) likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupier or any members of his or her family, or the persistent withdrawal of services reasonably needed for occupation"

Letting yourself into the propertyand/or repeatedly phoning and emailing to tell your Ts how filthy they are, that you want to take photos of how they live, during their tenancy? Sounds pretty much like an interference with your Ts' peace and comfort to me.

For goodness sakes, do all Ts a favour and sell up or get yourself signed up to a LL association and undertake some courses.

As for your previous comments about the tenancy deposit schemes adjudicators being biased in favour of Ts, it's funny how whoever is on the "losing side" tends to shriek " I was robbed - it's all so unfair".

LLs who don't lie about the dilapidations costs, who adequately prepare inventories and who have robust checking in and out procedures tend to do okay

I particularly liked this;):

Chillermiller wrote: »

They wanted to know all about my right to rent. Drove me crazy. I told them that and to not worry about my affairs and get the property cleaned up!

as the OP later says:

Chillermiller wrote: »

All checks came back ok on these people !

Clearly, the OP believes that LLs should check their Ts out but Ts should get back in their boxes and not ask anything about a LL's affairs.

myhouse_2

Actually this thread is a good reminder to all those "sellers" who decide to rent out rather than sell at a lower price. Renters often do not take as good care of a property as they would if it was there own or as the LL might do on their own property. Even if they do take care of it, accidents do happen.
It's a fact of life and you shouldn't get into renting out property if you have a major problem with that. Let it be a lesson to other people considering renting out a house - are you really prepared to be a landlord?

Chillermiller

I guess I wasn't. I truly felt that it was my home...because it was...I only let it out for the first time to these peolple. I asked them to take care of it becuase it is my home. They didn't. I am very angry and I know that I need to accept the realities of that. I do feel that they did not care for my home, much like the PP said. I simply want what is mine to be fixed to they way it was when it was let. All harassment issues aside, they did do damage. Whether I can prove it or not seems to be up for debate as it seems that my inventory was poorly done. I will proceed with my case in hopes that I get something becuase right now they are giving me nothing!

SWLondon_2

You should use a proper ARLA agent, frankly you only have yourself to blame, the dispute service is there to assist both parties and if the tenants want to use it so be it. You state you are new landlord but you know they are soft on tenants where did you hear this? You won't operate on your children, you probably wouldn't try to defend yourself in Court, but when it comes to letting your biggest purchase you think you can do it! Almost all successful landlords use agents for a reason and yes there are good and bad ones but your own inventory for heavens sake, tenants will get it easy because you have let them!!

neas

This has got to be a wind up right?

Over 2.5-3 year period teh property will get a few scuffs, a few spilt beers or wine on the carpet. go buy a vax carpet washer for £50 and 90% of those marks and stains will be gone. Even to get it professionally cleaned would cost at most £100 (2-3 hours work).

Other things are wear and tair.

I hope that the court throws you out for being a dumbo landlord. Most likely the agent didnt include things that were wrong with the property on the original inventory and perhaps some of those things you are trying to claim for now were on the amended noted one.

Basically you got one choice, use the amended signed one which tenants would tell judge you have.. if you say you lost it then you have no inventory and therefore no case.


Im really happy you posted as it shows how stupid you are.

Blitz01

Chillermiller wrote: »

It was more than wear and tear! There was writing on 2 of the walls--from a kid. Also the carpet was stained beyond recognition...also more than wear and tear! They never cleaned and that caused mold everwhere in bathroom and in kitchen!!! The marks were more than just a few tea rings...there was paint chips! They were bespoke! Will cost me £500 each to be fixed! There was food stuff in the kitchen...it was discusting!

I dunno what you mean about learning the law...you mean for rental law or for my pending claim?

My tenants were difficult and I did not like them. They questioned me too much, ignored my requests and they have now cost me money...I do not want to spend money when they should have given me back my house the way it was let to them! I told them repeatedly to do this! Filthy people! I do not think that charging them 40% of the costs to repaint is unreasonable! I don't think that them footing the full bill for cleaning is unreasonable. I don't think that me having access to my home is unreasonable! Them changing the locks is unforgivable! Then writing on my walls is unforgivable! They have wasted so much of my time and they think that I am unreasonable! Oh and they taped things to a wall which has left huge marks where the paint has come away...come on people....they are no saints!!!! Harrassing them? I have never done that! I called them a few times and emailed them to tell them they were dirty and to get it right...but that is not harassment!

So they were 'dirty' tenants! Maybe so, but that is NO BUSINESS of yours. As soon as they pay the rent, they can do what they like pretty much, and if you knew that, you wouldn't be on a hiding to nothing now.
You may not have liked your tenants, but you are a VERY POOR landlord and it gives the rest of us landlords a bad name.

Until you know the law yourself, i suggest you sell up or live there because, even though you may get your day in court, you will be laughed out of it.