Tenants moving out at end of month, no inventory/deposit

CCLandlord

Hi,

I have tenants moving out soon. I didn't take a deposit as I didn't want to deal with the hassle of registering it and I forgot to do an inventory list.

I have wrote to tenants detailing my cleaning specification but they have yet to confirm or reply.

How can I make sure they leave the flat as they found it/make sure they don't steal all the kitchen crockery given the above?

terryw

You can't. It is your word against there's. Suggest that you learn from this for the future. And take photographs alongside the initial inventory

Sorry about the bad news

ViolaLass

You can ask nicely.

theartfullodger

Is this in England?

This is not meant as criticism, just wanting to see if we can help you avoid other difficulties......Anything else you didn't want the hassle with??
- Declaring all rent payments to HMRC, even if making a loss??
- Gas safety cert?
- Landlord insurance?
- permission to let or a buy-2-let mortgage?
- read any books or done any courses on being a landlord??
- Joined a landlord association?

See..
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5180214

Jack_Johnson_the_acorn

CCLandlord wrote: »

Hi,

I have tenants moving out soon. I didn't take a deposit as I didn't want to deal with the hassle of registering it and I forgot to do an inventory list.

I have wrote to tenants detailing my cleaning specification but they have yet to confirm or reply.

How can I make sure they leave the flat as they found it/make sure they don't steal all the kitchen crockery given the above?

You can't....................... be serious.

Rollinghills

You are in a very weak position here.
Your best strategy is to be nice to the tenants and hope they leave the place in a reasonable state. Do not make unreasonable demands that will pi** them off.

A cleaning bill may be the price you pay for not wanting the hassle. Just hope a cleaning bill is all you'll need (as opposed to complete redecoration bill).

mrginge

Maybe threaten to kick their heads in?

DaftyDuck

mrginge wrote: »

Maybe threaten to kick their heads in?

But not in the property, as they aren't obligated to clean up afterwards!

Pixie5740

No inventory, no deposit, no luck.

Personally as a tenant I always steal the cheap tat crockery supplied by landlords.

jamesd

CCLandlord wrote: »

I have wrote to tenants detailing my cleaning specification but they have yet to confirm or reply.

They are probably laughing at you.

Did you at least have all of that in their tenancy agreement so you can claim that they have a contractual obligation to you to do it? It's too late to add new contract terms now.

What does the check in statement say about the cleanliness of the property at the time they moved in? If it says nothing, you aren't going anywhere productive with this because you lack even potential proof of breach of contract and hence any ability to get them to pay for anything. If it's not clean to your standard and they have been living there, that also demonstrates that they may well have been content to move in with it at that standard.

If the contract requires a professional clean and nothing else, expect them to make their choice of cleaning service and standards.

What does the contract say about which independent body is to determine whether cleaning to what standard is required beyond the condition in which they leave the property?

CCLandlord wrote: »

How can I make sure they leave the flat as they found it/make sure they don't steal all the kitchen crockery given the above?

You can't. Nor can you impose new cleaning standards beyond them leaving the place in reasonable condition. A degree of wear and tear is expected. If it's not in whatever standard is required by their tenancy agreement you can claim for the cost of getting to that standard. If it's a bit of dirt on a window or something else that takes a few minutes to take care of, expect the reasonable charge to be nothing. You can't claim for a full professional clean to the standards of the best on the market, just the bits needed. Well, maybe best on the market if it's truly a luxury property but not for normal properties.

More generally, expect at least some cleaning to be needed when tenants have moved out.

Blackpool_Saver

I have 'wrote' was enough for me, couldn't be bothered after that