'To Let' sign put up outside house

Helen_J_3

Hello all

Some of you may already be aware of some of our problems from my other thread! Anyway...

On saturday I was alerted to a drilling noise coming from the front of the house so I went and investigated to find an employee from our letting agents was drilling a 'TO LET' sign to the front of our house. I have had a nosy around the area and they have done this with all their properties.

Although it is ugly this is not the main reason I am annoyed about this:

- Our tenancy does not end until 31st August 2012. So the house isn't up for let for another 8 months almost. Is it fair for them to put the sign up so early? We're not even halfway through the tenancy!

- There have been a lot of burglaries in the area in the past month including one 10 yards away from our house across the road. The sign now makes it obvious it's a student let and I'm worried our house is more likely to be targeted (selfish as this may sound!) because of this stupid sign. Anyone intended to break into a house will see ours and think 'ooh students: laptop x4, ipods, TVs etc x2,3, or 4 and will also know we don't have much protection i.e. like a big German Shepherd to scare them off!

- We had no notice that this was going to happen at all. Although it only took 5 minutes for him to come and put it up, and it didn't involve him coming in the house, it is annoying that they didn't think to tell us someone would be coming round.

The burglary thing is the main worry. I have contents insurance but this doesn't really mean 100% protection as they would basically value everything at less than it's worth plus we'd have to pay any excess.

Is there anything I can do about the sign i.e. take it down!? I've read the tenancy agreement and it's not mentioned in there. I'm sure they're within their rights to put these signs up but is there any redress for an annoyed tenant?

Helen

antw23uk

Take it down, keep quiet about it. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.
If you raise it as a concern and they say tough luck, deal with it you then cant go taking it down in the middle of the night. However take it down in the middle of the night and then deny all knowledge.

Thats what i would do

tbs624

It's wrong of the LA to not let you know in advance that they wished to call at the property, especially as drilling/use of ladders was involved.

Some areas have recognised the problems created for Ts by the year round use of these signs but I don't think it's covered under the Code of Best Practice in your area. However, if the LA is signed up to the Property Ombudsman's Code that states quite clearly that to let signs should be removed within 14 days of a new T taking up occupation. It's sheer laziness on the part of the LA.

Perhaps you and fellow students should try raising the matter via the Uni/CoL as they try to work with the local Council and the local LL association on matters affecting students as Ts.

pmlindyloo

It is very strange that they have put a 'to let' sign up so early in your tenancy.

I would agree that it could be a security risk.

Have you spoken to the LA/LL? It could be a simple mistake.

My advice would be to take it down, telephone the LA and say you have taken it down and your reasons why. There is nothing in your tenancy agreement to say they can advertise your home from a certain time. (Is this correct?) The 'normal' time would be when you gave your notice/informed them you were leaving at the end of the fixed term/when they wrote and asked if you intended to renew your tenancy.

I would also ask them to get someone to collect it and then put it somewhere safe and out of sight until they do so.

I know if houses are let to student LA/LL like to know well in advance that they have new tenants but I think 8 months is far too long. Try to negoitiate with LA/LA when you would be willing to have the sign put up. After all they can still advertise for new tenants in other ways.

dimbo61

Students are looking for houses NOW and some " student accommodation offices" have been allowing adverts for NEXT september since the 1st october last year,
Its total madness but that is what the market wants
Please check out Manchester Student Homes
Expect lots of groups of students walking round student areas looking for a home!!

tbs624

If that's an attempt at free advertising there dimbo, you may want to check the forum rules.....

Doozergirl

tbs624 wrote: »

If that's an attempt at free advertising there dimbo, you may want to check the forum rules.....

They're correct though, aren't they?

I was told last year that January was prime season for new students seeking accommodation. All their properties must be being re-advertised now.

I'm of the simple opinion that you unscrew it and stick it in the back garden rather than start a fight over a property which is genuinely being advertised to let.

tbs624

Doozer - have previously posted on the board about how a frenzy starts up in Jan for student property letting for the following academic year.

That does not mean that it is fair on the Ts for a property to have a permanent "to let" sign adorning the front of the property all year round. Looks pretty unpleasant to have a street permanently full of properties "wearing" those for the rest of the residents too.

If your student properties are good ones, you generally find they go via word of mouth and for those that do need to have a bit of a push the LAs should IMO be obliged to remove the signs within a set period. Essentially they otherwise have a set of permanent mini advertising hoardings flagging up that LL or LA - there are restrictions on advertsiing space in our towns and cities and this should remain the case in residential areas IMO.

Helen flags up a particular point about the potential for encouraging targeting by burglars - not a hard choice for the local toe rag is it? "doin" what looks like a family home which is more likely to have just a couple of tellies, and secure locks, security lighting and a burglar alarm etc or going for those three houses that we can see are let, will probably have multiple items worth flogging down the pub and are likely to have lower levels of security.

dimbo61

Sorry " Manchester Student Homes" is owned by the 3 universities in Manchester so nothing to do with me.
I dont need to advertize on here and pointless as so many websites such as MSH, accommodation for students, spareroom,gumtree and easyroomate which thousands of students/professionals checking out every week.

dimbo61

Totally agree with Helen_J and would not like a forest of TO LET signs on every other house.
A good Landlord should have alarm, security lighting and good double glazed doors with locks( 5 lever), well maintained fences and steel gates.

ILW

dimbo61 wrote: »

Totally agree with Helen_J and would not like a forest of TO LET signs on every other house.
A good Landlord should have alarm, security lighting and good double glazed doors with locks( 5 lever), well maintained fences and steel gates.

Would that be to keep the students from escaping and wreaking havoc on the locals?