Any landlords and/or tenants with advice?

taylor86

*update* I have been to visit the property and the living room light switch is now not working. The tenant states it was working when she moved in but is now broken so we will replace that.

She is stating that she was strongly encouraged to move in early by the agent and she actually wanted to wait until next week herself.

The tenant is insisting the property is filthy and wants it cleaned top to bottom. She says she has cleaned a handprint mark that was left. She says she either wants money off rent or a professional company to come and clean. I have refused to pay for both after inspecting the property again while she was there and seeing that it is indeed clean as I left it. The appliances especially are immaculate and as new eg oven/dishwasher.

She was very pushy on this issue. I apologised for the handprints and the light and will replace ASAP however I was firm and will not be employing a cleaner or refunding rent.

Is this appropriate? I don't want her to be unhappy in the property but also don't want this to escalate.

EmmyLou30

When she was describing areas as being filthy - did she point out to you exactly what she was unhappy with? That might help you to understand where she's coming from if something really is dirty (or not as the case may be). Dirt really is a subjective thing and what I would consider dirty many of my friends consider normal so maybe it's just that your standards and hers are different. It all comes down to whether yours are low or hers are too high!?

pyueck

You need to get an inventory done asap. Also you must do all the other legal requirements of a landlord if you haven't yet done these.

If you are comfortable with the condition of the place you can always give her the option of surrendering the tenancy now and moving out, although this might incur agency fees for you and her. It might just make her be quiet though.

Otherwise if she wants the place cleaned to an extremely high standard, beyond that which one could reasonably be expected then she can pay for that herself.

In my experience if somebody has extremely high standards then if you do everything they ask for they will come back to you again and again.

taylor86

I asked her and she kept repeating that she had cleaned a handprint from the banister and she will have to spend hours cleaning it from top to bottom. She wouldn't specify any areas. I opened the oven and dishwasher and showed her these had been cleaned and maintained, highlighted the new decor and carpets but she was still insistent on a rent reduction.

She had her child and dog there with toys and a playroom set up so I suspect she doesn't actually think it's as dirty as she is making out.

pyueck

taylor86 wrote: »

I asked her and she kept repeating that she had cleaned a handprint from the banister and she will have to spend hours cleaning it from top to bottom. She wouldn't specify any areas. I opened the oven and dishwasher and showed her these had been cleaned and maintained, highlighted the new decor and carpets but she was still insistent on a rent reduction.

She had her child and dog there with toys and a playroom set up so I suspect she doesn't actually think it's as dirty as she is making out.

Just ignore her then, she is probably trying it on. But get the inventory done and protect the deposit

LEJC

Please get an inventory carried out....and jointly sign it....


Dog???
gosh I hope you have made provison for that in your tenancy agreement and it stipulates how you wish the condition of your carpets etc left when she vacates.


I have nothing against dogs but as a LL its not something I would have agreed to especially if the house was newly carpeted and refurbished....but each to their own.

G_M

By th sound of it

a) she will refuse to sign an inventory unless it describes the property as 'dirty'.

b) when she moves out you will have endless disputes if you try tomake any deposit deductions - and wihout a signed inventory you will be snookered.

Lesson learned for next time. Act professionally and get your paperwork sorted!

How about the Qs in post 11 above?

Does the tenancy agreement prohibit pets or require LL permission?

'a handprint'? :rotfl:

taylor86

For the dog she has paid a higher deposit and the pet agreement states she must have the carpets in the property professionally cleaned and a flea treatment carried out with receipts to show this prior to leaving or the additional 'pet deposit' will not be returned.

There is only a small area of carpet in the property. I am fully expecting to have to replace this after she vacates.

I have passed details of the Utilty providers and taken appropriate meter readings. I have consent from the lender and all the necessary gas checks have been done and certificates obtained. I Have registered the deposit with DPS.

This really is a steep learning curve, not one I care to repeat in a hurry!

fishpond

taylor86 wrote: »

We are first time landlords and have just rented out our property through an agent. When our property was viewed there were some small finishing touches to complete (eg fill in curtain pole holes). One viewer wanted to pay the deposit then come back for a viewing before moving in. Fine we thought so a move in date was set. Last Thursday the tenant told us she had furniture getting delivered so needed to be in Monday. ( a week early) We were still waiting for some gas checks but told her we would do our Very best to be ready for her. We worked all weekend to get everything done, redecorated and cleaned. She has moved in today and made a list of everything she is not happy with. She states the house is filthy with handprints everywhere.

We have rang her and she was very unpleasant on the phone, we have apologised and said we will visit tonight to and sort out the things wrong (apparently a window that doesn't open and lights don't work)

When I left the property at 8pm last night it was immaculate and everything was in full working order. I cleaned it myself top to bottom.

I have no idea how to handle this? I don't want an unhappy tenant but also don't want to be taken for a mug. The property has high standard fixtures and fittings with new bathroom, kitchen and decor.

Any advice?

It appears you have been!:)

taylor86

Thanks fishpond that's really helpful!