Sell house or become a weekend Dad ?? What would you do??

Slinky

If you decide to go down the rental route again, you're going to need to spend some money on your property to bring it up to a decent standard. If it's gone scruffy/smelly with the current tenants, you're not going to be able to rent it to anybody decent who will look after it, so the whole viscious downward cycle is likely to continue.

Kynthia

Is the property in an area that attracts bad tenants, is your letting agent useless, or have you been very unlucky? To be honest I think I'd consider letting one last time with a new agent and be very strict on your tenant criteria. I'd offer slightly below market rates to attract lots of applicants, then pick someone in long-term employment who can provide a reference from 2 previous landlords (sometimes a current one will give a good reference to get rid of a bad tenant but tge landlord befire has no reason to lie). Meet them if you can to see if you get a good feel. Is the place big enough for children as many parents want stability fir their children and are less likely to mess you about and risk moving (only a generalisation as there are probably bad tenants with children).

agrinnall

bikingbarney wrote: »

We had new doors fitted upstairs and she allowed her children to draw all over them in marker pen. Her boyfriend drove into the side of the house and we had to rebuild the house wall etc etc

Drawn on doors - recover the cost from the deposit when she does leave.

Damaged wall - I can see no reason why you would have paid for the repair, surely you would have charged the boyfriend for the cost of the damage.

If you aren't doing these things then you are making life very difficult for yourself and perhaps being a landlord is not for you.

martindow

bikingbarney wrote: »

The current tenant is a relative of my wife .

This suggests that you did not get any references or check the finances of this person. Letting to friends or family can make things very difficult if you have problems with the tenant.

If you decide to let again, use a good agent, don't let it to anyone you know and check the references carefully.

AnnieO1234

I wouldn't give up renting it. I would maybe consider using a fully managed service. You won't get the best returns but you'll not have to deal with the stresses so much.

Alternatively, is there a local camp to the property? Could you maybe rent it to someone from there?

I wouldn't be wanting to be a weekend parent, not would I want to risk not having a foot in the door when it's time to buy again in a few years.

Xxx

Seanymph

I would never become a weekend parent - what price do you put on your marriage?

Given that wouldn't be an option for me I'd be left with rent again or sell.

It sounds like you don't want to rent again under any circumstances - so you are left with sell and remain a family.

Then you can buy elsewhere, or invest and buy when you leave your next location.

Pixie5740

You've tried using a letting agency before and wound up with turkeys. Then you broke the cardinal rule and let to family who also turned out to be a turkey. One turkey tenant is bad luck, three turkeys is a pattern. Is it the area? The condition of the property? Both? How likely are you to get a 4th turkey?

In your shoes I'd be tempted to sell and then invest your money in something else until you're ready to buy again.

xylophone

Where do you want to settle?

If you know, might you consider selling the existing property, buying one in the favoured area and looking for a better tenant?

bikingbarney

Thanks for all the messages.

The first two lots of tenants were both done via a letting agent, they both started messing around with late rent etc and the LA seemed pretty useless to be honest and it used to take us phoning them to let them know we hadn't had the rent for that month even though it was supposed to go through them.

Our current tenant is fine paying her rent never missed a payment but its the other stuff like damage to the property and the dog mess etc. Cracked floor tiles in our previous property etc.

The area isnt a rough area, its quite a nice little town outside of Worcester. It just seems that Ive had some crap tenants.

My wife is the same as me in that she doesn't really want to split the family up, we tried the living in the block thing before and I lasted 6 months before we decided to rent our house and move into a married quarter.

My last tour is for 4 years and Im at the closest camp to the house. The thing is we may end up selling at the end of those 4 years anyway to move closer to wherever I can get work.

pinkshoes

Can you try a different letting agent for another tenant? One that offers rental insurance perhaps?