renting problems

pnq06

Here's a link that might be useful- http://www.landlordexpert.co.uk/ Its free to join unlike most and also has a forum where I guess there's other landlords in the same boat!!!

Lavendyr

cats! wrote: »

Make sure in future you only ever give new tenants six month tenancy agreements!

It's such a shame there are bad tenants (and landlords, for that matter ) out there, gives everyone else a bad name and leads to less and less trust on both sides.

jebervic

pnq06 wrote: »

Hi,

"especially if it has been over a long period of time".


Can I just ask what you letting agents are doing to help the problem?

The tenancy is only a couple of months old and the letting agents are worse than useless.

pnq06

I agree...

I've both rented and worked offering free advice to landlords and tenants so I've seen it from all sides....

When I personally move into rented accommodation I take photo's of everything including of all things I am not happy with (especially all the things missed out in the interim report!). I also practically re-write the interim report as they are usually very vague. But I guess if I was a landlord I would take pics before a tenant moved in and also check the copy of the interim report and physically view each corrected detail. I think its just covering yourself as I've had to learn the hard way!!!

Unfortunatley for the OP the courts don't take kindly to landlords taking there time to get repairs done.

In fact it may be an idea (OP) to get yourself a working contract with local plumbers, builders, electricians etc. You'll find that by offering them guarenteed work they will in return offer quick services and discount prices

pnq06

jebervic wrote: »

The tenancy is only a couple of months old and the letting agents are worse than useless.

Thats usually the case- happy to sign you up and take your money but do nothing in return!!!

Like I said in my above post, unfortunately the courts don't take too kindly to repairs not being carried out by landlords (although I realise its not entitrely your fault!). So I would remind your tenant of the signed tenancy agreement about rent being due on time and repairs being carried out by your contractors etc. I would then get as many of the repairs done asap in case he takes it to court whilst also getting a solicitor to put it in a friendly letter to him

PS get quotes and completed jobs written down by workman as this will help in your defence.

coal9011

Dear Jebervic.

I am sorry, but your best course of action is to ask your tenant to leave early (before the end of the lease) and PAY HIM TO DO SO!

Offer him "relocation costs" (about 3 months rent should be enough) Believe me,this will be cheaper for you in the long run.

Once you start legal proceedings "crooks in suits" (solicitors) become involved and it all gets very costly. I've been renting a property for 9 years. Recently my landlord and I have been in dispute. The landlord started court proceedings which failed and then he re-issued which have so far cost him over £6,000 and my barrister says could cost him over £12,000 in total without any good chance of success. Last year I was so Pi**sed of with the situation that I told him that I was prepared to move if he paid my relocation costs (under £2,000) he said "NO" and now it's going to cost him a small fortune!

I don't know you or your tenant from Adam, but the above is my "free" advise to you. However, if your tenant's claims are entirely unjustified then do go through the courts and you will surely prevail ............... "AT A COST"

pinkshoes

I would write a letter to your tenant, sent via registered delivery (so you know he received it), pointing out that carrying any work out himself will mean he's in breach of his contract, and not paying his rent will leave him in breach of his contract, as well as giving him the dates that the work will be done. If he doesn't pay his rent, can you subtract this from his deposit?

If he's 2 months into a 6 month tenancy, then can you make sure he has notice to move out at the end of the 6 month period?

What actually happens when a tenant breaches their contract???

My friend in London had a dodgy landlord who lived abroad, and when their washing machine broke down flooding the kitchen, they tried ringing all the contact numbers, left messages, and after a month of hearing nothing they withheld their rent and paid for the new washing machine themselves (it was beyond repair and contract said house had washing machine!). They then paid the rest of the rent (minus washing machine cost) when landlord finally did get in touch 3 months later!

alison999

My current landlord is a nightmare. The house was damp when we moved in (but he'd painted over it so it didnt look too bad) and when we moved in 1 year ago he said hed get the gutter sorted so the damp doesnt get worse. he didnt and with all the rain we had all the damp patches showed through and i even had water come up under the kitchen cupboards. my kitchen and bedroom now stink of damp (along with my clothes if theyve been in the wardrobe a while!) he also said hed knock down the outside toilet and what would of been the outside shower as it has a water leak and you cant stay in the garden long coz all you can hear is the water dripping. its now so bad you can hear it at the kitchen door.

i must admit, in january we got behind with the rent. our car got stolen and the cost of getting it back, and a new key etc was about £500 so couldnt pay rent. I explained and said Id pay it asap which at the time I geniunely meant. Ive only paid back £60.00 so far since Ive just had a baby and already have a 3 year old so moneys tight esp. on maternity. The letting agency dont seem to understand that i dont have a endless supply of money.

Had he bothered to repair the house I would probably have made more of a effort but if he cant be bothered neither can I. My tenancy runs out in December but b/c of the damp (I have asthma and my baby has a sensitive bronchi) I need to be out sooner.

Im not paying rent in September. Instead, in September we're moving out to a new loandlord who seems really nice and once I have the property empty Im just gonna right a letter to the landlord/letting angency explaining why Ive left and enclosing all copies of keys.

I believe this is much better than just f***ing off! For one, they won't have to pay to get the locks changed and at least they'll know, from a secuirty point of view that the propertys empty.

They wont be happy but they'll be keeping my deposit and he wont have to go down the route of eviction which is stressful for both parties.

Though I appreciate some tennants are a complete nightmare, so are some landlords. i feel a year is long enough to get repairs done. I know other things come in inbetween times but a year is a long time.

realwildone

Dear Jebervic.

I am sorry, but your best course of action is to ask your tenant to leave early (before the end of the lease) and PAY HIM TO DO SO!

Is this not illegal.

Gorgeous_George

Sounds like you have a tenant from hell.

Arrange to meet him to discuss the way ahead. Be prepared with a list of his whinges and your planned course of action. Take a friend (big male recommended). Agree priorities. Do not be bullied into giving him everything on his wish list. Record the salient points of the meeting in a letter and get him to sign your copy as proof of receipt.

Remind him that the rent is not negotiable. Failing to pay the rent must lead to eviction. Offer him an early break at no penalty so that he can choose to look elsewhere. Do not pay him to leave (that's just giving in to bullies).

Sadly, there are tenants who think the world owes them a living. Why did he accept the property if there was so much to put right?

The chip on his shoulder is not your problem.



GG