Would not bother being a landlord again...

martin1959

We ended up being a landlord through accident, as we bought a property to move into, but then decided we would not move for a couple of years due to circumstances. As opposed to leave it empty we decided to let it for a couple of years.


The property was immaculate when we let it, completely redecorated with new rads, wiring, windows, and carpets throughout. All the trades we used asked why we were bothering doing so much work as we were letting it, but we felt we wanted the place to be nice, as if we were going to live there.


We had a professional couple move in with 2 young children and the past two years have flown by...


However, we have now decided to end the tenancy as we plan to have major works done and then move in.


I called round yesterday to advise we were not going to renew when the AST ends on 31st March, and I feel really guilty.


I have said I am happy for them to move out anytime before the 31st March and break the AST early if they find somewhere else. I have also said it may be possible for them to stay on in April on a periodic basis as builders are not due to start until May, and just pay up until they leave.


They are a nice couple, rent always paid on time, but I have to say, probably as she was not expecting me yesterday, the property looks like right sh*t hole, with crayon marks over the walls, stains on the carpets and condensation has ruined the new paper we put up, in my opinion, due to washing being dried over rads, and no windows being opened for ventilation.


I am glad my wife did not see it as she would have been quite upset.


As we will be gutting the property again when they move out, I am annoyed, but not too concerned, and will probably let them keep their deposit if they at least make an effort to clean the place when they leave.


We did consider letting our current property that we will be moving from when the building works have been finished, but after this experience, I think we just sell it to save the hastle.

ognum

martin1959 wrote: »

We ended up being a landlord through accident, as we bought a property to move into, but then decided we would not move for a couple of years due to circumstances. As opposed to leave it empty we decided to let it for a couple of years.


The property was immaculate when we let it, completely redecorated with new rads, wiring, windows, and carpets throughout. All the trades we used asked why we were bothering doing so much work as we were letting it, but we felt we wanted the place to be nice, as if we were going to live there.


We had a professional couple move in with 2 young children and the past two years have flown by...


However, we have now decided to end the tenancy as we plan to have major works done and then move in.


I called round yesterday to advise we were not going to renew when the AST ends on 31st March, and I feel really guilty.


I have said I am happy for them to move out anytime before the 31st March and break the AST early if they find somewhere else. I have also said it may be possible for them to stay on in April on a periodic basis as builders are not due to start until May, and just pay up until they leave.


They are a nice couple, rent always paid on time, but I have to say, probably as she was not expecting me yesterday, the property looks like right sh*t hole, with crayon marks over the walls, stains on the carpets and condensation has ruined the new paper we put up, in my opinion, due to washing being dried over rads, and no windows being opened for ventilation.


I am glad my wife did not see it as she would have been quite upset.


As we will be gutting the property again when they move out, I am annoyed, but not too concerned, and will probably let them keep their deposit if they at least make an effort to clean the place when they leave.


We did consider letting our current property that we will be moving from when the building works have been finished, but after this experience, I think we just sell it to save the hastle.

Letting is a buisness, never let your beloved home.

have you got a full inventory and a deposit? How many inspection visits have you done?

Jack_Johnson_the_acorn

martin1959 wrote: »

We ended up being a landlord through accident, as we bought a property to move into, but then decided we would not move for a couple of years due to circumstances. As opposed to leave it empty we decided to let it for a couple of years.


The property was immaculate when we let it, completely redecorated with new rads, wiring, windows, and carpets throughout. All the trades we used asked why we were bothering doing so much work as we were letting it, but we felt we wanted the place to be nice, as if we were going to live there.


We had a professional couple move in with 2 young children and the past two years have flown by...


However, we have now decided to end the tenancy as we plan to have major works done and then move in.


I called round yesterday to advise we were not going to renew when the AST ends on 31st March, and I feel really guilty.


I have said I am happy for them to move out anytime before the 31st March and break the AST early if they find somewhere else. I have also said it may be possible for them to stay on in April on a periodic basis as builders are not due to start until May, and just pay up until they leave.


They are a nice couple, rent always paid on time, but I have to say, probably as she was not expecting me yesterday, the property looks like right sh*t hole, with crayon marks over the walls, stains on the carpets and condensation has ruined the new paper we put up, in my opinion, due to washing being dried over rads, and no windows being opened for ventilation.


I am glad my wife did not see it as she would have been quite upset.


As we will be gutting the property again when they move out, I am annoyed, but not too concerned, and will probably let them keep their deposit if they at least make an effort to clean the place when they leave.


We did consider letting our current property that we will be moving from when the building works have been finished, but after this experience, I think we just sell it to save the hastle.

Sounds like it's been lived in for 2 years by a family with children........

GwylimT

As someone with a two year old and five year old !!!! hole and crayon on the wall seems about right! Our carpet has a lovely bright yellow stain from nappy rash cream.

Deciding to become a landlord doesn't make you an accidental landlord, have you served notice in writing?

chanz4

have to remember its there home for now, as long as clean and tidy when leave don't worry

chanz4

GwylimT wrote: »

As someone with a two year old and five year old !!!! hole and crayon on the wall seems about right! Our carpet has a lovely bright yellow stain from nappy rash cream.

Deciding to become a landlord doesn't make you an accidental landlord, have you served notice in writing?

my house is new with kids, kids draw on walls nothing paint wont solve

GwylimT

chanz4 wrote: »

my house is new with kids, kids draw on walls nothing paint wont solve

Ah yes, but you clearly had the sense not to have nice decorative wallpaper unlike us! Really a tenant not expecting a visit is unlikely tk carry out such work until they actually need to before vacating unless they are a long term tenant.

Pixie5740

It's probably for the best that you don't want to be a landlord again. Popping round uninvited. Thinking the AST will just end on 31st March because you want it to. Feeling guilty for serving notice (did you actually serve notice or was this all verbal?). So much to learn grasshopper.

Blackpool_Saver

Not all kids draw on walls, I never did, and neither did my children.

kinger101

martin1959 wrote: »

However, we have now decided to end the tenancy as we plan to have major works done and then move in.

Have you served notice correctly? Telling them it's ended just won't do

I called round yesterday to advise we were not going to renew when the AST ends on 31st March, and I feel really guilty.

You need to avoid doing this in future. If you want to visit to conduct a property inspection, you are required to give at least 24 hours written notice. Just popping round won't do.

I have said I am happy for them to move out anytime before the 31st March and break the AST early if they find somewhere else. I have also said it may be possible for them to stay on in April on a periodic basis as builders are not due to start until May, and just pay up until they leave.

Tread carefully here. It's nice to offer them the chance to move out as soon as they've got somewhere to live. But either you're serving notice or you're not. Don't muddy the waters with offers of extensions, or you'll find yourself back at square one. I'd be serving valid notice now in the hope that they do move out in the expiry date.

They are a nice couple, rent always paid on time, but I have to say, probably as she was not expecting me yesterday, the property looks like right sh*t hole, with crayon marks over the walls, stains on the carpets and condensation has ruined the new paper we put up, in my opinion, due to washing being dried over rads, and no windows being opened for ventilation.


I am glad my wife did not see it as she would have been quite upset.


As we will be gutting the property again when they move out, I am annoyed, but not too concerned, and will probably let them keep their deposit if they at least make an effort to clean the place when they leave.

I'd reserve judgement on this until they've left. Don't imply that you'll return the deposit to them in full. You might well change your mind. If I were your tenants, right now I'd not be relying on any deposit being returned, so please don't build up any false hopes for them

We did consider letting our current property that we will be moving from when the building works have been finished, but after this experience, I think we just sell it to save the hastle.

.................................................

moneyistooshorttomention

chanz4 wrote: »

my house is new with kids, kids draw on walls nothing paint wont solve

Must have changed since my days then, if its taken for granted these days:cool:

My brother and I weren't allowed to do things like that full stop when we were brought up and I don't recall it being "expected behaviour" from children. At the time I went viewing the starter house I subsequently bought, I remember being astonished that their 2 children had been allowed to tear strips off the wallpaper by the look of it.