Are these restrictive terms?

jangor_2

My son and partner have paid £240 for the financial checks to be carried out prior to renting a flat. I understand the EA is only instructed to find tenants and the flat will be managed by the LL. After paying the above sum to the Agent my son and partner were then informed the LL wished to meet them. Unfortunately my son was unable to take time away from work and his girlfriend met the LLs instead. She was apparently subjected to intense questioning during which she was told by the young LLs, amongst other things, that they were not to enter the flat in their shoes, these had to be removed at the door, they are not to hold any parties and the LLs will be calling frequently to check on the condition of the flat. They then went on to mention they were not happy about my son's occupation (he is a fully qualified mechanic) because it was probable he would leave oily and greasy marks everywhere! My son and partner are naturally quite anxious about taking the flat now but have been told the money they have given the agent is non refundable. Are these normal terms and conditions?

BottomRung

I'm no renting expert but it'd bug me that they want me to remove my shoes before entering the property. If they're that picky they really shouldn't be renting the place out. If it were me i'd agree to their terms and then just carry on as normal. I'm pretty sure that if you pay your rent on time and have no parties they won't chuck you out for wearing shoes in the place.

Having said that they sound like amateurs that are going to be pestering you every other week, so i'd probably find another home.

Gwhiz

LL sounds a complete Plank! As above, go find someone who'll give you some peace and quiet.

edinburgher

Typically the costs for financial checks etc. will be non refundable (and I'm willing to bet that your son and GF were notified of this in advance?)

That said, the stuff re. shoes, parties etc. sounds like a load of nonsense. They will only need to be bound by the terms of their lease and if they're willing to sign a lease with this sort of cobblers on it, I'd be very worried.

Also, tenancy laws allow them 'quiet enjoyment' of the property they're renting. Unless the GF is over egging the pudding as regards the frequency of landlord visits, I would be worried. Landlords/LAs are supposed to give 48 hours notice (minimum) before coming to the property and from my experience, you're under no obligation to say this is ok (although you obviously need to meet the landlord half way and propose an alternative time if the initial one doesn't suit).

Speaking as someone who has been renting for 10 years - your son and GF should probably cut their losses and find somewhere else where the landlord isn't so pernickity. Granted, an expensive lesson, but they might like to check with LAs whether properties are managed by themselves in future. While LAs can be just as bad as private landlords when it comes to getting things done, at least they tend to act a little bit more sensibly re. terms and conditions/inspections etc.

Yorkie1

The term re shoes is unenforceable. The only contractual term is to return the property in the same state as it was at the start of the tenancy, less fair wear and tear. That being said, if it's a really clean and new carpet, they aren't going to manage to return it in sufficient state if they walk all over it with shoes on.

Parties - not enforceable per se - how do you define a party? However, there will be something about not causing a nuisance to the neighbours.

Re the visits, the LL needs to read up on 'quiet enjoyment'. They must give due notice of any intention to inspect the property for maintenance issues (I think it is), and the T can refuse to allow such visits. The only occasions when the LL can enter without prior notice and permission is if there is a genuine emergency, such as a gas leak or flood. Regular visits to check on the condition of the flat are not acceptable.

These sound like amateur LLs who haven't understood that although it's their house, it is the T's home for the duration of the tenancy and that they have to change how they view the house.

G_M

Duplicate post.

jangor_2

Apologies for duplicate post. My computer crashed and I thought my first post had been deleted.

My son's girlfriend handed over cash to the EA for the checks but he (EA) can't actually check anything yet as they have not completed or signed any forms. They were not advised the money was non refundable just given a receipt. They have been trying to speak to the EA about the conversation with the LL but he appears to be unavailable and has not returned their calls.