Friend in the Wrong?

LocoLoco

I've rented for twenty odd years and I've never met a landlord as understanding and patient as this one seems to be. He lets her move in without paying the full deposit, she's in arrears with her rent, she's dumping rubbish in the garden, has broken windows, doesn't keep the place clean and doesn't seem to think any of this is her problem or down to her to sort out.


Renting when you're on housing benefit is really hard (I know, because I do it) because so few landlords are willing to take you on and when I read something like this I can understand why!


She hasn't got a leg to stand on here; he's done all the repairs he's obliged to, there's one small outstanding job that he's been advised on (by a plumber) the place was renovated before she moved in and sounds like it'll have to be thoroughly cleaned again after she moves out, to be honest I'm surprised he's even considering taking her on another lease.


If I was in her situation I'd get my finger out and start getting things sorted so that I could get the tenancy renewed; where on earth does she think she's going to go if she gets evicted and she's not got a deposit and the first month's rent for a new place?

sacha28

The_Hurricane wrote: »

I was embarrassed being out there yesterday, it's the old adage of what goes on behind closes doors etc.

I did think she may have had a point in demanding the air cupboard/hotpress leak to be repaired rather than put onto a very long finger as to when the LL budget dictates. This is the only point I felt she had.

I think she may've had a bit of lea-way (is that how you spell it??!!) had she been a model tenant and actually paid her deposit/rent in full. Unfortunately she has lost any higher moral ground when she started acting like the tenant from hell.

The_Hurricane

My friend has just got back to me as the EA has been back out with a list of conditions and by next Friday the following has to be carried out:

1. The two smashed window panes must be repaired.

2. There is some damage to the paintwork on the walls and doors, again the EA has requested that this be repaired/re-painted. My friend is not happy about this as the damage was caused by her daughter who is in a wheelchair. My own opinion is that this shouldn't be used as an excuse.

3. Deposit must be paid in full, I queried this one with my friend and the LL let her move in with £100 of a deposit originally as she couldn't afford anymore. She then paid £100 more two months later and by that time the LL had given up asking.

4. All rent arrears have to be paid in full, the LL has said the the Benefit office have paid him all they are going to and that the rest needs to be paid by the tenant.

5. The house is going to be fully inspected and needs to be cleaned and the smell of unrine removed. I think my friend has a dog that lives in the house and does it's business there too.

RuthnJasper

sacha28 wrote: »

I think she may've had a bit of lea-way (is that how you spell it??!!) had she been a model tenant and actually paid her deposit/rent in full. Unfortunately she has lost any higher moral ground when she started acting like the tenant from hell.

Leeway. But I completely agree with you. The tenant sounds like a nightmare. It's a disgrace to use a rented property as she has. It can't be pleasant for her neighbours to live near what sounds more like a fly-tipping site than a garden.

She also needs to think about the sort of reference she's going to get from the LL if she needs to move elsewhere. She is putting herself at serious risk of having much more to worry about than some broken glass and a dodgy boiler, should the lease not be renewed and the need to move elsewhere arises...

ripplyuk

This landlord sounds like a saint, compared to most I've known! Some around here won't fix anything, and the houses are dumps. This house sounds ok. Whilst not being perfect, the landlord has done repairs. I'm actually surprised he would even considering renewing this lease as the tenant doesn't sound the most careful ie: broken windows, mattress in garden!

RuthnJasper

ripplyuk wrote: »

This landlord sounds like a saint, compared to most I've known! Some around here won't fix anything, and the houses are dumps. This house sounds ok. Whilst not being perfect, the landlord has done repairs. I'm actually surprised he would even considering renewing this lease as the tenant doesn't sound the most careful ie: broken windows, mattress in garden!

I agree; I suspect the LL feels sorry for her - but he does sound exemplary. I would not be wanting to try the patience of a LL like that.

5. The house is going to be fully inspected and needs to be cleaned and the smell of urine removed. I think my friend has a dog that lives in the house and does it's business there too.

Unacceptable, not to mention unhygenic and revolting. I strongly suspect the filth attracts vermin as well.

I have a dog, and often look after a friend's as well. Neither of them empty themselves in the house - the only time mine did (when she was unwell and couldn't help it) I went straight to the local shop for carpet cleaner and dealt with it. My (rented) house is not the tidiest of places, I'll admit - but there's a difference between clutter and complete unsanitary filth. Sounds like the tenant is happy to live like a pig. My sympathy for the LL...

Edit:- I hope the tenant also realises how fortunate she is to have a sensible and considerate friend in The_Hurricane.

The_Hurricane

I know there is friction between the LL and my friend's partner, the LL whom I haven't met is quite popular in the area and this is one of three properties he rents out. His tenants all seem to stay for very long periods of time and he maintains a good relationship with them. I think one of the key problems is the LL is only 30 and my friend and her partner are in their 40's so I know that there is some resentment here.

I know they feel he is too young to be where he is and a bit blase about the single glazed window and more importantly the hotpress tank leak. The LL has now said that it's unlikely this will be repaired within the coming year as it's not serious - my friend is furious on this matter.

I have fed back to her what has been said here and she is going to log on to see (she is not familiar with this site).

zzzLazyDaisy

I think you are focussing on the wrong issues.

The legal position is that she has a one year tenancy which is due to come to an end shortly. The LL can legally serve notice to terminate the tenancy at the end of the fixed period, he does not have to give any reason at all.

Your friend can drag things out a bit longer by refusing to leave and making the LL go to court to evict her, but that does not solve her problem of where she will live next. She has a dog and is on housing benefits - that's enough to make most LL's refuse to consider her. The fact that she has a history of arrears and is unable to provide a good reference from her current LL is going to be a further disincentive to most landlords.

In the meantime she has a dependent disabled child who needs a roof over her head. I'd suggest that is what you/she should be focussing on.

Cotta

The LL is perfectly entitled to postpone the repair of the airing cupboard tank if he feels it is minor and not in his current budget.

The_Hurricane

Cotta wrote: »

The LL is perfectly entitled to postpone the repair of the airing cupboard tank if he feels it is minor and not in his current budget.

This is the one part I agree with my friend on, surely this needs to be repaired regardless of the fact that it is minor? Putting a basin under it doesn't resolve the problem.