Lazy Landlord - how do I cover my bottom?

Herbalus

Well, I assume that the OP knows the landlord and can assess whether or not he cares, whatever that means. He knows the previous tenant, so presumably he knows enough to qualify that statement. It could be that he just wants his money and doesn't care about the life of his tenants, in which case it isn't an issue, and actually helps the OP in this case because he won't be evicted so long as he pays the rent on time.

Not sure his post warranted an inquest into whether or not the landlord cares - can't some things just be taken as read?

chucknorris

Pandilex wrote: »

Basically the landlord of this property doesn't care. He didn't care about the previous tenant, he does absolutely nothing.

This is fine, because nothing has gone wrong.

You remind me of a Polish couple that I let a flat to a few years ago, they kept inviting me over to discuss the flat over a cup of coffee. When I said that it was about a 2 hour round trip journey for me, so I would only come over when there is an actual issue that requires my attendance, they said:


'So that's it then, we'll never see you again unless there is a problem, don't you care about your property?'

Pandilex

Thanks for the advice, looks ok.

I probably should have elaborated on the not caring thing - the flat was in a total state when I moved in because the previous tenants overstayed and moved out without cleaning it. It smelled like cat !!!! and hair, everything was dirty, and I had to clean it myself. Landlord never did a check-in inventory, never visited the property, never spoke to me. Took an eternity to get him to agree to broadband installation. The house is in a total phone blackspot so no signal whatsoever anywhere inside the house so I couldn't tether or make calls or received texts, so internet was important. Has never done any inspections. Everything in the flat is the absolute cheapest possible, there are many small conveniences missing (lock on the bathroom door, lack of shelving, cupboards & storage, cheap floors and things that damage/break easily, etc.) it is simply a profit making venture. Which is good, but it's vaguely worrying.

Having been screwed over by agencies multiple times a lack of paperwork and diligence just troubles me, that's all. Maybe it is actually perfect and fine, but I don't like surprises, and if there's a mark on the floor where it has been damaged because it's really cheap and crap I don't want to have to argue it's not my fault.

19lottie82

OP, the reality here is, as some might say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

There is no way you will be able to change you LL's attitude. That's the way he is. Accept it, or move on.

Oh, and no check in inventory, is beneficial for you. It means that legally, he will find it almost impossible to justify any proposed deposit deductions, at the end of your tenancy.

benjus

Mind_the_Gap wrote: »

How is a landlord to show he cares?

Bunches of flowers? Crates of beer? Being willing to come in at 3 a.m. to unblock the sink for you?

When we moved into out current flat (and also the one we rented, 3 doors down the road, in 2010-2011), the LL had left a bottle of champagne in the fridge.

Maybe it's just a thing they do on this particular road, but it's a nice little touch.

G_M

benjus wrote: »

When we moved into out current flat (and also the one we rented, 3 doors down the road, in 2010-2011), the LL had left a bottle of champagne in the fridge.

Maybe it's just a thing they do on this particular road, but it's a nice little touch.

My tenants all get a bottle of wine (champagne :eek:) left in the kitchen with the tenant pack at the start of the tenancy, + a bottle at Christmas.

Unless they turn out to be nightmare tenants....

Kynthia

In some ways it's nicer to have a landlord who isn't that interested in the property. No inventory means it's unlikely they'll be deductions from your deposit, and they are proposed the deposit scheme is unlikely to uphold them, and pickiness about the standard of cleaning. No inspections means you can live your life and enjoy your home without interference, which is what most tenants really want. Also he's then unlikely to evict you for spurious reasons if there's no interaction between you, as long as the rent is paid.


However you need him to be interested enough in the business to have protected your deposit, obtained annual gas safety certificates, and to make necessary repairs. What is a necessary repair is often debated between tenants and landlords and some tenants think landlords should fix every tiny thing and even sort out blocked sinks, whereas some landlords think tenants should do much of this under acting in a 'tenant like manner' and stick only to the law repairing the structure of the property, heating, hot water and washing facilities.


So what is it you actually want from a landlord and can you see the positives enough to stay with this one?