landlord rights - ex tenants have damaged property

G_M

emmita wrote: »

The LA readvertised my property to which I've put a hold on until it gets fixed up and I'm sure they'll be a charge.

You're actually going to use these agents again? For real..... :eek:

emmita

Guest101 wrote: »

I think you need to go to the letting agent redress scheme.

They belong to the ombudsman and I phoned them last week as I had concerns. I have to follow LA complaints procedure and they have 8 weeks to resolve it before I can follow up. I plan on doing so.

emmita

G_M wrote: »

You're actually going to use these agents again? For real..... :eek:

Lol do you really think so? No not a chance but seeing as I m relying on them somewhat I said to put it on hold. They know I'm livid and am sure even they know I'll be leaving.


Defo not using them again - thanks though

LEJC

How far are you from the house....going forward is it something you could manage yourself,with the backup of some trusted trades....or do you not want to get involved?

At the very least I would be breaking the contract between you and the letting agent and if you dont want to self manage at least get another agent who is more in tune with the way you want to let the property.

It is a little bit of a mine field when you first start out and I understand the desire to go with a letting agent the first time, I did too....but actually its not that difficult to self manage and do your own inventories /deposit protection etc....that way you can be much more involved and see things the way you want to see them rather than relying on a letting agent who basically doesnt have the same level of commitment to the property that you do.

consider tenant only find...the one I use charges half first months rent plus vat...so cheaper than the standard 10% plus or whatever fee you pay....
The key is finding an agent that understands what you want from a tenant and indeed what attachment you have to the property.
I've 3 rentals now...one being my old family home so my agent knows that potentially I will want someone who ticks the boxes a little more than can they afford it!!!
Others might suggest that you fully manage yourself and vet the tenants too...again a cheaper option but something that not everyone is comfortable with doing

emmita

Thanks LEJC. I did look at the options to start with and really wanted to be hands off mainly because I work full time and would rely completely on tradesman for problems and no great contacts. Looking back at the initial meeting with the LA it was all rose, reality strikes this last 2 weeks. The house was my first home and I took all the equity out of it to finance a move to a larger property rather than sell. Looking back I should have sold because now the house isn't worth as much as it was when it was mortgaged. The rent just paid the interest only mortgage and no more. I am thinking now to sell up and take a loss else its manage it myself (prefer not to) or find another letting agent.

P.s still no check out inventory from the LA.

emmita

Well another horrible day. Still no check out inventory from the letting agent. I've been chasing them again today. Keys handed over Saturday, they did the inspection on Tuesday afternoon. The reason I haven't got it yet is that its waiting to be typed up and the typist only works afternoons.

I've asked again about the interim inspections and I finally got a reply, you have had your landlord letter what further info do you need?

I'm being fobbed off cos the person I've being dealing with hasn't responded to my phone calls form the last week and I've limited emails from her.

They have said I should get the check out report by end of today, late afternoon.
They are dragging their feet.