How common is it to encounter a bad LL.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I've had a couple of wideboy amateur LLs, but most have been fine. My current one left me a bottle of wine and some flowers when I moved in.

As has been stated, I think most LLs would be horrified at the bad impression their agents give to tenants and how many are lost through their behaviour. When you think of the power they have over people's domestic security, it's astounding that there are no mandatory professional qualifications. Never mind knowledge of the relevant law, basic literacy and communication skills are not even necessary judging from the sub-GCSE level missives I've received over the years.

shadow47

Werdnal wrote: »

Shadow, you state in your OP that you are "not bothered about repairs", and as a LL I would be very concerned to hear you say that. Whether the LL bothers with repairs is a totally separate issue, but you as a tenant MUST report them, even if they seem minor or insignificant to you.

For instance, a minor leak under the kitchen sink, may not bother you, but even a small amount of water escaping into the kitchen units over a long period of time, will cause rot and damp. If you decide not to report it because you suspect your LL will not bother with it, YOU can then become liable for that damage through YOUR negligence in reporting it.

It is expected that all tenants report all problems promptly, and if you ignore something your deposit that you are so worried about in your other post here, will rapidly disappear as the LL claims back the cost of repairing things you have ignored!

Report all problems in writing to the Letting Agent. If LL then chooses not to address them, and you are happy to live with that, then atleast you have written proof at the end of 6 months, that you attempted to get the problem resolved.

Not found any problems yet as I haven't moved in.

Shall be reporting them as you said, it is in the LLs interest to repair them quickly so his property does not get destroyed.

A stitch in time saves nine.

shadow47

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

basic literacy and communication skills are not even necessary judging from the sub-GCSE level missives I've received over the years.

Haha, the receptionist in this agency couldn't even spell 'aggreement'.

Bless her cotton socks, she was so cute.

Plus she was blonde, woooooooo!

jimpix12

Round these parts the LA gets the first month's rent + ripoff referencing fees which cost them £20 but charge £200 for.

shadow47

spunko2010 wrote: »

Round these parts the LA gets the first month's rent + ripoff referencing fees which cost them £20 but charge £200 for.

It's ridiculous.

They often take advantage of the fact that some people just need a place quick.

I was in that boat. Had no choice but to fork over the fees.

I wish I'd had time to find a real LL and not have to go through an agency.

I guess I have 6 months now.

Never really liked the sound of this LL, he sounded like (as a previous poster put it) a wideboy.

One sided conversation, never listened to a word I said and babbled on about what gas/electricity supplier is best for like 2 minutes... I wasn't listening.

ilovecheese

I have had four LL's (including my current one) and all four of them have been really good. They have all done repairs quickly, and left me in peace to enjoy my home. I agree with other comments that LL and tenants should deal face to face and exclude the LA, it makes for a much better and easier let. I am sure a lot of LL have no idea how their LA treats their tenant.

Three of my rents have been direct with LL (inlcuding my current one) and one was through an agent, but I did have my LL e-mail address (he lived in Austria) so this made things easier, if I had a question I would e-mail the LL and not the LA, I found them to be quite useless, once they have your "administration" fees they really couldn't give a s*** until renewal time when they think they can get some money off you for nothing. I think LA should be rounded up and shot at dawn!!! Hee Hee

shadow47

ilovecheese wrote: »

I think LA should be rounded up and shot at dawn!!! Hee Hee

HAhahah!

Yep, they want £50 to 'renew' my contract.

£50 to print out a piece of paper ans sign their name and get me to sign mine!

IT'S A BARGAIN!

Gang of leeches.

Think I've said this before, just like work agencies.

Ewww it seems anything with the word agency it it just reeks of leech.

Gonzo33

Being a LL I can honestly say I feel the same about my LA.

The tenant called my Dad one day (I live overseas, Dad is not far away) because there was a problem with the drain. She said it had been a problem for a couple of days and was wondering why no-one had been in contact. He was worried because the toilet was starting to back up. When Dad said to the tenant that it was the first he had heard of it (I hadn't been contacted either) the tenant told him he had told the agent 2 days before. Queue an emergency drain company out to the property and me kicking off big style down the telephone to the agents. F*ckwits. The tenant now contacts my Dad in the first instance.

Emmylou_2

Current landlord (2011 - present): OK so far. Through agent - bit annoying but they were (eventually) OK when we said we didn't want to renew for another six months but wanted to go onto SPT (due to OH's course lasting another 5 months and the fact that we're then going where the work is!)

Last landlord (2009 - 2011): OK - agent for tenant find only. Bit slapdash when it came to repairs, but once I'd got the number for his handyman, everything was fine and sorted quickly. Tried to keep whole deposit but negotiated reasonable deductions.

Private Landlord (2006 - 2009): Fabulous. Lived abroad, but would sort remotely. Washing machine stopped working - had another one delivered and fitted within a week. For smaller stuff, we'd just buy and scan receipts, and money would be in bank within 48 hours. Shame I had to move due to disability. Deposit back in full.

Private Landlord (2004 - 2006): Awful. Would come in without notice. Said would replace (old) kitchen but didn't. Complained if grass grew "too long" (ie above one week's growth). Lost whole deposit because of falsified outgoing inventory (photos taken after we'd left but before we'd finished cleaning etc). He counterclaimed for over 4x deposit amount but didn't get this. Learned lots from this tenancy (including about taking photos with that day's newspaper in the shot)

Private Landlord (2002 - 2004): Not the best landlord, but I wasn't the best tenant (due to mental health issues). Would enter property whenever wanted but generally good on fixing things and was fab with regard to rent arrears.

dodger1

Between me, the ex and one daughter who rents we have had eight LLs. Three bad ones and five excellent, no problems with agencies (apart from fees) indeed my daughter's agency should be applauded for their speed of service.