Viewing conditions and deposit

twink1108

I am currently letting my flat to a young family who have a huge amount of stuff in a small flat. Their tenancy is coming to an end soon, so I am looking for new tenants.

They have used the second bedroom as top to toe storage, and as a result, there is mould on one of the walls. The flat is also very cluttered.

I am just wondering where I might stand with regards to asking them to keep it tidy for viewings?

Also, is it within my rights as a landlord to charge them for redecoration of the wall which has gone mouldy due to so much stuff being placed up against it?

Thank you.

fairy_lights

You can ask them to tidy up but they would be under no obligation to do so, and if you take that kind of attitude with them they might end up refusing viewings altogether. As long as they are paying you rent it's their home and they can keep it as messy as they like.

SeduLOUs

Re the mouldy wall - why would you ask the tenants to pay to redecorate a mouldy wall that was already mouldy before you even let the property?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4902623

Money_maker

Unbelievable...

twink1108

Thank you for your helpful reply, but this is actually a completely separate property. Perhaps ask some questions before jumping to conclusions.

SeduLOUs wrote: »

Re the mouldy wall - why would you ask the tenants to pay to redecorate a mouldy wall that was already mouldy before you even let the property?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4902623

Guest101

It's their home, so no, you shouldnt ask them to do anything really.

You can ask, but if you push it, they might refuse viewings altogether.

You say their tenancy is ending soon, have they actually served notice? If not then really you shouldnt be arranging viewings.

As for the mould - it really isnt an issue until they move out, at which point you can check the property and deduct as approriate

twink1108

Thank you. Yes they have served notice, as they are buying a property of their own now.

Guest101

twink1108 wrote: »

Thank you. Yes they have served notice, as they are buying a property of their own now.

Good stuff

I think that you may have to accept the room as is, as moving means boxes, so if they're not in the room, theyre going to be somewhere.

SeduLOUs

twink1108 wrote: »

Thank you for your helpful reply, but this is actually a completely separate property. Perhaps ask some questions before jumping to conclusions.

Even if that is the case, you can only deduct for the mould if you can prove it wasn't there when they moved in.

Do you have a full inventory with photos that has been signed by yourself and the tenant?

Have you protected the deposit and sent the tenants the required information within the timescales? If not you'l have to give them the deposit back in full and you could get sued for 3x more.