Tenant moving out -viewings? Place is a tip

dehydrato

Our tenant sadly is moving out.
The place is a total tip, eg when I did the inspection there were dirty dishes in the sink despite there being a dishwasher, I had to climb over his dirty washing on the stairs and generally the place was in need of a good few hours tidy up. This is how this person lives & that's fine by me but my question is whether to ask him to allow potential tenants to view while I know he keeps the place in a state.
Personally, it would put me off renting somewhere if I saw it was a tip but that's just me.
The alternative is wait til he moves out & have a void but prospective tenants could see how nice the place is behind the clutter.
Any advice?

KateLiana27

You're right in that it's entirely his business how he lives, and he's also doing you a favour by allowing viewings (unless it's written into the contract).

In your position, I'd probably ask nicely if he would mind having a professional cleaner come around (paid by you) to neaten the place up for viewings. It might be worth the investment if you think it will help get a tenant and reduce the void period. Or offer him £50 to clean up. If he's a nice guy he might even get the hint and do it for free.

If this doesn't work, I might hold off on the viewings until he moves out, or you could be losing potential tenants who won't view again.

dehydrato

Thanks for your reply.
You captured exactly what we are nervous of, people viewing and getting put off by his mess then ruling the house out.
We have not asked him about viewings so it may be a non starter anyway and we would respect that.
He is a sensitive soul and so I think he would be offended if I suggested a cleaner and to be fair, the place is more messy than dirty if you know what I mean. There is just stuff on every surface, magazines lying on the floor, generally untidy, computers and wires evrywhere.
It just seems annoying that we could face a void due to his way of house keeping. As I said, that's how he lives & that is fine for him but it does make it difficult to see room sizes, carpets etc when every surface is obscured.

Soot2006

Even if it's written into the contract he doesn't have to let you in, so be happy that he doesn't mind and share a little wink with the viewers, making it clear the place will be professionally cleaned before they get the keys. I have viewed many tips in my student days ...

JanCee

I would wait until he leaves. Use the void period to make sure the place is spotless for the next tenant, carry out any repairs & generally give the place an update.

Geenie

If you are letting, then you have to factor into your costs void months. I wouldn't even contemplate showing when a property is in such a state. Get him out, clear up and charge if necessary, and then introduce viewings.

If all your tenant has done is live in a pig sty, you are very lucky. Dirty knickers, washing up can be dealt with quickly. Structural damage or neglect is another matter.

Just make sure you let the tenant know that they have to get rid of their rubbish and leave the place tidy before any deposit will be returned. Wear and tear is acceptable......a pile of their rubbish to deal with is not. Take pictures before and after at all times and include then in the inventory.

thegirlintheattic

A tip? A bit of dirty washing and things not put away. I've viewed houses with think mould on most surfaces, blood on the walls and furniture broken by tenants - if being untidy is all your tenant has done your lucky.

Don't view, book a professional cleaner for when he moves out and accept a void month or two. If people view a messy house and accept it they are unlikely to be the tenants you want.

delain

You could just ask him nicely about viewings and if he minds sprucing the place up a bit? I'm not the worlds tidiest person, but if there were people coming to view my house if I was leaving on good terms with the landlord I'd do the washing up and hide the crap under my bed

BitterAndTwisted

A bit of untidiness isn't going to put off a reasonable prospective tenant. Now, if the place was truly filthy I would expect you to explain that it wouldn't be when it's re-let. And would expect you to keep your word about that. Some unwashed dishes and laundry about the place doesn't make it a midden