Scumbag Developer LL's and Lettings Agents

UK007BullDog

See..... all the stress for nothing. The LL is a good chap and Sour Move are the baddies.

Try some smaller more "bespoke" (not expensive) letting agents and tell them that you are looking for a long term place to rent. The big guys always seem to play by their own rules.

olly300

If you sign a contract (or agree to a contract) the terms have to be fair this includes rental agreements. Have a look here:
http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/askthesiteqandas/housingqandas/instantaccess

It makes it clear that:
1. tenants can change locks without the LL permission as long as they don't damage the door. (They don't have to give you a key while they live in it.)
2. they can refuse you entry if it's a non-essential repair or anything else they can decide is not reasonable, and make you go to court to gain access.

Basically as a LL you can ask to see a property you rent out but if the tenants decide your request is not reasonable they can force you to go to court. If the judge agrees the LL request is unreasonable and the tenancy clause(s) are too widely drafted therefore unfair, then you don't have a right to enter the property and end up paying court costs.

The best thing as a LL is to get on with your tenants, and the best thing as a tenant is to get on with your LL.

clutton_2

i wonder if a statment that all landlords are not scum is now on the cards !!




not holding my breath !!




theres an assumption, if ever i wrote one !!

jyonda

Not all LL's are scum and neither are LA's. It's a shame that one can make the other look bad.
I wouldn't say I'm over the moon about the resolution, just pleased not to be living in a situation we can't get out of... We now desperately need somewhere to live as we won't be moving into the house and will continue to stay at my poor mothers who has been displaced to my sisters. I'm still out of pocket to the tune of about 100 quid for the flooring and the effort it took. It looks good too. I went round today to tidy up and finish it off. I know I didn't have to but I don't like to leave something in a mess.

I spoke to Shelter who gave me some good advice over the phone and that helped prepare me before speaking to the LL and LA so I would advise anyone to do the same. They mentioned complaining to the office of fair trading about the LA which I will do as they caused all this. I will also contact the head office of Sour Move. They should be aware of these practices as otherwise the can't do anything about it.

clutton_2

i do hope you find somewhere much nicer - and that you get your flooring costs back - take in the invoice and ask them to pay. i think they should.

jyonda

Oh and the LA agreed to refund all the fees and hadn't banked the bankers draft yet so I will go in to collect tomorrow. Should I ask the LA to destroy the contract whilst I am there to ensure no further jiggery pokery? Or is that being a bit para? I can't tell as I have lost any trust I had with them.

clutton_2

do check with your bank about you cashing in the bankers draft - you may not be able to take it back yourself as it is made out to the LA - if this is the case, just ask LA to write you a cheque for the same amount.

Gorgeous_George

olly300 wrote:

If you sign a contract (or agree to a contract) the terms have to be fair this includes rental agreements. Have a look here:
http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/askthesiteqandas/housingqandas/instantaccess

It makes it clear that:
1. tenants can change locks without the LL permission as long as they don't damage the door. (They don't have to give you a key while they live in it.)
2. they can refuse you entry if it's a non-essential repair or anything else they can decide is not reasonable, and make you go to court to gain access.

Basically as a LL you can ask to see a property you rent out but if the tenants decide your request is not reasonable they can force you to go to court. If the judge agrees the LL request is unreasonable and the tenancy clause(s) are too widely drafted therefore unfair, then you don't have a right to enter the property and end up paying court costs.

The best thing as a LL is to get on with your tenants, and the best thing as a tenant is to get on with your LL.

Interesting link but I don't read the article as clearly a you do.

Olly300's_link wrote:

But if you've signed a contract saying you'll give access as long as the landlord gives 48 hours notice then the situation will be different. If your contract doesn't give specifics as to what you have to allow access for, it may be that your landlord has acted correctly

In any event, I would only force entry if it was an emergency (such as a report of someone smelling gas perhaps ).

If my tenant refused me reasonable access they may find that their tenancy would not be renewed.

I agree with those who say it's better to have a good LL/tenant relationship.



GG