Friend in the Wrong?

The_Hurricane

Thanks all for the advice and concern shown in this thread, I will keep everybody posted as of any updates.

What I am aware of is the EA is calling today to find out if my friend is in a position to first of all pay outstanding rents and bring the deposit up to the agreed amount.

BitterAndTwisted

I suspect your friend is going to need to start packing quite soon. In anticipation of this I think your should change your phone number.

There's no helping people who are deluded and beyond help.

RuthnJasper

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I suspect your friend is going to need to start packing quite soon. In anticipation of this I think your should change your phone number.

There's no helping people who are deluded and beyond help.

I agree - and also suspect that The_Hurricane is going to be near the top of this "friend's" list of people to call on with pleas of "can you put us up for a few nights...?" As wretched as I'd feel for the innocent parties in this (the daughter and the dog), I would NOT be offering house-room for even five minutes! Although, I might offer to take in (and TRAIN) the mutt in preference to having it PTS...

debrag

The_Hurricane wrote: »

Hello All,

I was out visiting my friend yesterday who rents her house when the Estate Agent made an impromptu visit. My friend protested at this visit but the EA advised that since she had changed her landline and mobile number so often resulting in him having no contact details he had to call out in person.

The situation is my friend's lease is up at the end of this month, it was a one year contract and she is keen to renew, however there have been a number of issues during the year:

1. The house prior to moving in had been renovated by the landlord but some snagging issues remained.
2. The boiler give up and was replaced within three weeks by the Landlord.
3. The roof leaked at the back porch for a bit and it took several visits by the joiner over three months to identify a pin head hole in the roof and completely repair it.
4. A minor leak in the hot-press tank which the Landlord has sought a plumber on, the plumber has advised that at this point it is very minor and to put a basin under the leak to catch any water. The landlord has arranged to have this properly repaired in the future.
5. My friend has also complained that the front bedroom is a little cold due to only having a single glazed window with a wooden frame within this room although other rooms are double glazed. The joiner has also been out on a number of occasions to ensure the house is draft proof.

On the flip side the following issues are with my friend,

1. She has still only paid £200 of an agreed £400 deposit, the EA has said that in order for lease to be renewed the £400 must be paid in full. I'm amazed this has not already happened.

2. My friend gets housing benefits and this is used to pay the rent in addition to a supplement from her, however due to bank problems her supplements stopped for over two months. In addition to this the Landlord is claiming that over one month's rent is outstanding and this must all be paid in full prior to renewing the contract. My friend has countered this by saying that he benefits are always one month behind, but the Landlord is adamant that he doesn't want arrears going into any new lease. He has also suggested that the benefits be paid directly to my friend and from here she pay one monthly payment to the LL rather than one monthly payment from the benefit's office and weekly payments from her.

3. Two panes of glass have been smashed during the tenancy, my friend has claimed this is due to wind but the EA has insisted this must be repaired.

4. The Landlord has complained that the garden is being used as a rubbish tip with beds etc being dumped in it by my friend (I agree on this point).

5. The house is also untidy and a little smelly due to not being cleaned, the EA has raised this matter but my friend has said it's irrelevant.

6. The LL has given her the number of the joiner who she can contact directly if there is an issue but on several occassions she has lost the number of the LL and joiner and has been unable to contact anyone.

Who is right and who is wrong, I do see the point regarding the snagging issues but I told my friend that she has not been a model tenant, however she disagree. She asked me to get some independent advice for her so here I am for what it's worth.

One thing my friend has said, the Landlord feels that it's going to be too expensive for him to replace both the window in the bedroom with a double glazed PVC window along with replacing the hot-press tank. He has suggested since the hot-press leak is minor and the plumber assures that it will not get much worse that he will instead have a basin put under it to catch any leaks and will instead replace the front window. My friend wants both replaced - personally I'm not sure on this one.

I think my friend's wrong but maybe she has a point so at her request I would appreciate your views.

Thanks

why did they even let her move in?

debrag

maybe a 'report' for benefit fraud is needed. Sounds like the type of person claiming as a single mum when she isn't.

The_Hurricane

Massive row with the EA today. My friend has told the EA that she is not renewing and is looking at a new house tomorrow. She has said with six weeks left on the contract that she will pay the remainder of the deposit.

I asked about the broken windows, she has said that she tried to get someone out but they didn't come.

In short LL is screwed.

Old_Git

The_Hurricane wrote: »

Massive row with the EA today. My friend has told the EA that she is not renewing and is looking at a new house tomorrow. She has said with six weeks left on the contract that she will pay the remainder of the deposit.

I asked about the broken windows, she has said that she tried to get someone out but they didn't come.

In short LL is screwed.

off course the LL will give a reference to get rid off her

tom9980

The_Hurricane wrote: »

Massive row with the EA today. My friend has told the EA that she is not renewing and is looking at a new house tomorrow. She has said with six weeks left on the contract that she will pay the remainder of the deposit.

I asked about the broken windows, she has said that she tried to get someone out but they didn't come.

In short LL is screwed.

I doubt he is screwed, he may have insurance to cover damage and non payment of rent. If she willingly leaves it has saved him lots of hassle, I would be very happy at such a development.

BillJones

The_Hurricane wrote: »

In short LL is screwed.

No, he's a bit of money down, which is not unexpected as a landlord sometiimes, and he's about to lose a tenant from hell. He's probably opening a nice bottle of wine tonight and feeling pretty happy.

DaftyDuck

.... if she goes, that is. I'd have the champagne on ice, but I'd wait to open it, pessimist that I am.