Unprofessional estate agent

SavvyStudentSaver

Another reply, once more regarding the walls:

-If the walls have been coloured on in small areas, you may well need to repaint the entire walls, so they don't look patchy (including the entire hallway and alongside the stairs if said wall has been drawn on). However, the extent to which you are responsible must consider wear and tear, the age of the walls, initial condition, etc. This can be sorted via the deposit protection scheme if the two of you cannot reach an amicable agreement. Yes, other kids may well draw on walls- I certainly did when I was young- but that doesn't change anything as I'm sure you're aware. I think the other posters are trying to say that the Landlord shouldn't expect your kids to draw on walls, and therefore it is fine for the walls to be returned in a worse condition.
-If you want to terminate your tenancy agreement early, it's a WHOLE different ball game. You are liable to pay rent until the end of your tenancy, and only by coming to some form of agreement with your Landlord, in writing, can you stop this. If no such agreement can be reached (witht he landlord or their letting agent), then that's that. And in order to come to an agreement, the landlord or letting agency can ask for anything in return, because they are under no obligation to release your from the binding contract you have signed. This includes asking you to repaint the entire house. If you don't like it, you simply see out the rest of your tenancy and leave when it's over- you are certainly not entitled to leave early without having to make some form of sacrifice that benefits the Landlord. If you were leaving because your tenancy had finished, yes, asking you to foot the entire bill to repaint would be out of order, and you could dispute the deduction from your deposit, but as you're asking to leave early, it's a bit different.

Ivana_Tinkle

Most kids don't draw on walls, some do. Doesn't mean you're a bad parent, just means you need to fix the damage.

yiamas85

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

Most kids don't draw on walls, some do. Doesn't mean you're a bad parent, just means you need to fix the damage.

I am not disputing that fact.

ognum

This is a really annoying thread. Out of 54 posts 29 are from the OP this suggests someone who talks and doesn't listen!

yiamas85

ognum wrote: »

This is a really annoying thread. Out of 54 posts 29 are from the OP this suggests someone who talks and doesn't listen!

Thankfully the owner has expressed a clear view, "I will not hold the tenant liable for the painting of the stairway, or the upper hallway". She goes on to describe the conditions were poor to begin with but as I wanted to move in she was advised by estate agent to leave the painting, naming the children as a deciding factor. Thanks for the good advice (cough cough) but will listen to the owner who clearly knows the initial state of the painting. Had she of redecorated prior to renting I would have made it like for like. Simples! And if it is annoying then I suggest you return to your job of raising kids seeing as you are so fantastic at it

grifferz

yiamas85 wrote: »

Thanks for the good advice (cough cough)

Can't believe how rude you are given that people took their time to help you out with excellent advice for free.

yiamas85

At the end of the day it is not important how the wall was damaged and if ppl are going to nit pick over trivial things well, what do they expect? If I want parenting advice I will go to net mums! Legally I do what is damaged, not the whole house. Estate agent has agreed to let me out when she finds new tenants yet won't show new tenants round until in decorate the whole house. Therefore, making me responsible for the rent longer. It is clear that some ppl here can offer parenting advice but not anything which is actually to do with my problem. Having far better advice on consumer forum and will see solicitor as planned. Paint prob. Is sorted by reasonable owner. Glad I didn't take the advice to repaint house for a mark no bigger than my two hands!

lizziebabe

My children never painted or drew on the walls.

However, when my son was in reception he did bite another child's ear :eek:

I wonder which adult gave him that idea?

He said that the child was bullying him. It stopped. I don't condone violence and told him so! He was punished by having treats taken away. As Parents we don't have control over what our children do 100% of the time.

Painting/drawing on the walls isn't the end of the world, but in rented accommodation you have to leave the property in a good state. I would always advise taking photos of everywhere as a reminder of what a place looked like when you first moved in. Having vermin in a property is not normal and must be horrible.

Op you have had a lot of useful advice, the letting agent is not fulfilling her duties. Hope you get it sorted.

SavvyStudentSaver

yiamas85 wrote: »

At the end of the day it is not important how the wall was damaged and if ppl are going to nit pick over trivial things well, what do they expect? If I want parenting advice I will go to net mums! Legally I do what is damaged, not the whole house. Estate agent has agreed to let me out when she finds new tenants yet won't show new tenants round until in decorate the whole house. Therefore, making me responsible for the rent longer. It is clear that some ppl here can offer parenting advice but not anything which is actually to do with my problem. Having far better advice on consumer forum and will see solicitor as planned. Paint prob. Is sorted by reasonable owner. Glad I didn't take the advice to repaint house for a mark no bigger than my two hands!

In this case, the only factor that means you don't have to redecorate to be let out of you contract early is an amenable landlord. Should your landlord have wanted nothing to do with you personally, you'd be in a very different situation as per my previous post (ie, you'd be held to the end of your tenancy unless you wanted to do something to convince the LA/LL to let you go, which is in no way unfair. That doesn't mean you're responsible for the wall, just that if you wanted out of your legal responsibility to pay rent, you'd have to make that an appealing choice for a business savvy LL).

Each of my posts has tried to be impartial, and state the facts as I understand them, and I don't think I was critical of your parenting style. I appreciate they were a bit long, but I was trying to explain things thoroughly. I had hoped you'd read what I said and maybe respond to it, instead of completely ignoring it. After all, I spent quite some time trying to type them out to offer some help, and advice on your legal position, just in case (ie, your landlord didn't realise you were asking for early release from your contract, and doesn't want to do so, in which case you need to deal with the LA to get released). Yes some posters were rude, but really, it seems you only came on here to respond to them, and to ignore any actual advice.