Any landlords and/or tenants with advice?

RAS

taylor86 wrote: »

I Have registered the deposit with DPS.

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

Have you issued the prescribed information???

Cheeky_Monkey

I suggest you join a Landlord's Association as well.

I think there's no doubt that she is going to be a right royal pain in the @rse the whole way through so, if it were me, I would be issuing a S21 just as soon as her AST comes to an end.

She should think herself lucky that she has found a LL willing to allow a dog - a lot don't

pyueck

RAS wrote: »

Have you issued the prescribed information???

And when are you going to get the inventory done?

You do realise that your pet terms will be not worth the paper they are written on unless you can prove that the carpets are in a worse state (allowing for wear and tear) than when the person moved in.

'Professionally cleaned' clauses don't stand up in court, the question is always 'is the place/item in a different condition that when the tenancy started allowing for wear and tear' rather than did the tenants mum clean the place or was it a professional company.

taylor86

RAS wrote: »

Have you issued the prescribed information???

To the tenant? Not yet, she only paid the deposit yesterday, I will do this by the end of the week. (I believe I have 14 days)

What is the benefit of joining a landlords association?

There is a huge shortage of rental properties in my area, she is extremely lucky to find one that allows a dog.

We were struggling to decide whether to rent the property or reduce it drastically and sell. After the initial 6 months is up I think we have our answer as to what to do.

taylor86

pyueck wrote: »

And when are you going to get the inventory done?

You do realise that your pet terms will be not worth the paper they are written on unless you can prove that the carpets are in a worse state (allowing for wear and tear) than when the person moved in.

'Professionally cleaned' clauses don't stand up in court, the question is always 'is the place/item in a different condition that when the tenancy started allowing for wear and tear' rather than did the tenants mum clean the place or was it a professional company.

I didn't realise that no, the soonest the agent can do this is tomorrow AM. Is it best that it is done by the agent rather than attempting this ourselves?

dodger1

taylor86 wrote: »

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!

Don't worry too much, tenants are just like landlords, most are good, you've just got unlucky with the first one. Tell her there will be no rent reduction.

Cheeky_Monkey

taylor86 wrote: »

I didn't realise that no, the soonest the agent can do this is tomorrow AM. Is it best that it is done by the agent rather than attempting this ourselves?

No you shouldn't do it yourselves. It needs to be carried out by someone who is independent/unbiased.

Of course, now that the stable door has already been bolted, they will not be able to fully inspect the property due to the tenant's furniture so you will not be fully protected but it's better than not having one at all

Norman_Castle

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.

She is insisting it is dirty, apparently based on finding one handprint, but cannot show you any areas that need cleaning?.

taylor86

Yes that is exactly right Norman Castle.

This has all been said in the presence of the tenant by her mother. The tenant remains quiet for the most part, just occasionally agreeing.

LEJC

just out of interest...what amount of rent reduction is she proposing or seeking....


I fear that this may become a regular request should things not pan out the way she wants going forward.
Not an easy situation to deal with but you must remain professional and polite but make it clear that should problems arise you will deal with them in a timely manner but that rent payments are not negotiable and remain due durung the remainder of her tenancy