Too good to be true?

marksoton

This has mess written all over it, at least in it's current form.

G_M

The mess, I suspect, has arisen from the Chinese whispers;

* tenant request to agent
* agent to landlord
* landlord to partner
* partner to forum

Aggravated by some misconceptions about tenancies and how they work (evidence the unlikely 6 month rolling tenancy)

The request itself is not 'a mess' - for a long-term tenant it's potentially a serious request which would benefit both tenant and landlord if handled right.

AdrianC

benjus wrote: »

These two statements don't quite tally for me. You say that there should be trust and respect, but also that the landlord should be able to turf the tenant out at any time if their "circumstances change". That hardly sounds like a fair deal to me.

Ok, it could easily happen that the LL needs to sell the property at some point. But throwing out the tenant just to get a better price for a vacant property is sheer greed.

Let's say that "long term" is ten years. What is going to happen over the next ten years? Can you say for certain that circumstances won't change and force a sale? Can you even say for certain the sale won't be on behalf of the estate...?

benjus

AdrianC wrote: »

Let's say that "long term" is ten years. What is going to happen over the next ten years? Can you say for certain that circumstances won't change and force a sale? Can you even say for certain the sale won't be on behalf of the estate...?

Of course a sale may have to take place. But there's no need to throw the tenant out in order to sell. It's just wanting to have their cake and eat it, especially if the tenant has made improvements at his own expense.

aqua111

I would like to point out that the Rent is less than similar houses in the area even though the house has been well maintained with new double glazing etc.
As the Tenant has always paid his rent my Partner has not increased it for several years.
Previous Tenants have also paid rent on time.
Any problems at the house have been dealt with promptly.
The house does not have a mortgage.
He thinks, if we trust the Tenant to improve the bathroom, then he should trust his word that he can remain in the house for along as he wishes
My Partner is retired and thinks it is impossible to look into the future.
They are a young couple and previously two young couples at the property have split up and left.
As the existing bathroom is adequate if not ultra modern my Partner thinks he should refuse the Tenant's request as he did not realise this would be so involved.
He thought it was a matter of trust on both sides.

AdrianC

aqua111 wrote: »

My Partner is retired and thinks it is impossible to look into the future.
They are a young couple and previously two young couples at the property have split up and left.

...which just leans further towards the "don't agree anything long term".

If the tenant is a plumber, and they want an updated bathroom, then I'd be exploring options to be flexible. Be honest with them - tell them you're very happy with them as tenants, and have no desire to have them move on - and you'd be happy to pay for materials if he does the work?

Everybody wins. You get an updated bathroom in a property that sounds like it needs it, and he gets an updated bathroom in his home.

melstar11

You say your partner has not increased the rent for several years as the tenant has paid it on time. But your OP states he has been there for 18 months. I'm confused.

Adrian's idea is a good one. Does the bathroom actually need replacing though?

aqua111

As I said, previous Tenants have also paid Rent on time.
The Rent was kept at the same rate as the previous Tenants.
No increase in 5 years.

AdrianC

aqua111 wrote: »

As I said, previous Tenants have also paid Rent on time.
The Rent was kept at the same rate as the previous Tenants.
No increase in 5 years.

I'm not entirely sure your current tenant cares very much about that, tbh.

G_M

aqua111 wrote: »

He thinks, if we trust the Tenant to improve the bathroom, then he should trust his word that he can remain in the house for along as he wishes
This is totally unrealistic

My Partner is retired and thinks it is impossible to look into the future.
then don't commit to a long term tenancy.

AND don't try to deceive the tenant into thinking he ( the tenant) can "trust his word that he can remain in the house for along as he wishes"

The landlord cannot have it both ways. Either
* his word is good and the tenant can trust him about staying as long as he wants (in which case, give him a fixed term!)
OR
* "it is impossible to look into the future." in which case the tenant's trust would be misplaced!

They are a young couple and previously two young couples at the property have split up and left.
As the existing bathroom is adequate if not ultra modern my Partner thinks he should refuse the Tenant's request as he did not realise this would be so involved.
He thought it was a matter of trust on both sides.

If he does not want to do this, then just refuse permission to upgrade the bathroom.

And expect the tenants to leave some time, when they find a more modern/suitable property that meets thei requirements.

But do not expect a tenant to improve a landlord's property for him without knowing it will their long-term home (whatever 'long-term' means).

Trust, especially as this case where it is unreliable, is not the way to go.

To be honest, the more I learn, the more sorry I feel for the tenants.