fussy tennants

*Beki*

They may also want to make you aware of faults/issues with the property that weren't listed on the inventory, so you don't charge them for these at the end of the tenancy!

I know we were very picky about this when we moved in, even down to making a note of the fact there were only 2 hooks on the back of the bathroom door but screw holes for a third hook, lol.

johnmcga

Were these faults noted on the inventory for the house? If so then I think perhaps the tenants are being a little unreasonable.

If not then I can understand where they're coming from, to some degree. If it were me, I'd certainly want the towel rail to work - unless I'd been made aware that it didn't before I moved in.

If I were you I think I'd be keen to have a chat with the tenants without going via the letting agent. They might feel things have started out on the wrong foot and a quick chat could help each of you understand where the other is coming from.

One last thought: how much do you trust your letting agent? There are plenty of unscrupulous ones out there who will happily ensure both tenant and landlord end up paying as much as possible in charges and fees.

Do they take a commission of all the maintenance they arrange? Could it be that the tenants have just asked for these minor items to be noted, but the agent has decided to act on its own initiative?

jay1181 wrote: »

the real reason for the key getting stuck or snapping was to change the locks at your expense as they think you must have been entering the house.

Or perhaps the lock was just faulty.

theartfullodger

Being new to the business & needing help with basic questions (nothing wrong with that, been there myself..) perhaps you might - bit radical I realise - get educated in the business of being a landlord?

It will probably save you more in time & money than it costs you.

Cheers!

Ulfar

I would agree with them bringing the items up if the condition is not accurately reflected in the inventory.

I would expect you to fix the heated towel radiator, as unless when you marketed the property you made tenants aware that it isn't heated and wont be fixed they have a reasonable expectation that it is in a working condition.

Especially if it is a radiator one that is connected to the boiler and therefore forms part of the heating, even with another radiator in the room.

bigmock

theartfullodger wrote: »

Being new to the business & needing help with basic questions (nothing wrong with that, been there myself..) perhaps you might - bit radical I realise - get educated in the business of being a landlord?

It will probably save you more in time & money than it costs you.

Cheers!

i dont know why you would come here and be all sarcastic i have let another property for 7 years i just wanted some different viewpoints, thank you to everyone who has responded though just not to those who use it to take a swipe. and i will be checking the inventory to see if the fault was noted or not. But yes starting off on the wrong foot was not what i had hoped and so I have agreed to fixing 5 minor things for them the ones i listed were further points they wanted fixing that i found to be unreasonable, and yes i am weary of agents trying to make commission off maintenence works

davidlp

Hello there,

I to had fossor tenants but i think they was baddys

my advice is to try for a nover and hold tight, take your chances once in a while.

NorthernSky_3

Is it definitely their expectations that these issues are to be fixed? I currently rent, and after a week of living in the property I began to notice certain things about the house, for example the door handles had dropped as they were old, and other things like that.

I informed out landlords of all of these things, not with any demands for them to be fixed, but simply to make them aware that the state of these things as they were so that they couldn't be blamed on us as tenants. After all, I've got a deposit that I'd like back at the end and don't want anything to be blamed on us.

Don't take offence at what I'm going to say next, as it isn't meant bad... I sense some protectiveness of your old home - I would be exactly the same if I was being told that my place had problems with it. Plus, even though these people are only renting off you and it's not their property, it will be their home as such for some time, so they are currently in a state of higher emotions too..imagine....

'Oh my god, look there's a heated towel rail! That'll be perfect for the cold months!! Yahoo!!.... what? It doesn't work? Oh.'.

If you're leasing your property through an agent, did you have to sign any terms and conditions that covered what you had to repair? I would suggest getting advice from them.. get your moneys worth out of them, as I'm sure you're paying a fee for their services too!

As others have said here, at least you'll know what to add to the inventory for the next tenants you have. If some are cheap and quick fixes, such as the CO detector, just do it... once they are done you can move on and continue to take their money off them.

ognum

this stuff happens when you let a property.

in one of my properties within two days of moving in the tenants had managed to jam a set of heavy sliding doors that had only been jammed once in 25 years when my mother lived in the house and my son aged about 10 swung on them but we mended them at my expense but told the if the same thing occurred again I would charge the renters!

I would always supply a carbon monoxide detector I think it is fool hardy not to.

The other issue I would say to them I have noted them and they will be dealt with when the property is next vacant.

bigmock

thank you all for youre replies

theartfullodger

bigmock wrote: »

thank you all for youre replies

Bigmock: Sincere apologies if you thought I was being sarcastic - I wasn't, I was being straightforward & direct & making a suggestion that I thought, genuinely, might well save you money & time in the long run. If someone really did know everything then obviously my suggestion would be inappropriate.

Sorry that you formed your view.

Best regards

Cheers!!

Artful (Still learning.... and yes I really did need teaching/courses etc for the first few years I let property... and I still go to LL education sessions.. )