Wilful damage discovered after move out inspection

Mela322

I'm asking this for my family. They moved in the day after the old tenants moved out. The owners did a walkthrough inspection and all looked good.

However, each day has brought new misery for my family that now rent the house.

Move in day, went to take a shower and water was pouring through ceiling. took panel off tub and pipe was laying on the floor.

Boiler not working, had it checked and the circuit board was hit with something so needs replacing.

Discovered roof was leaking and checked the loft and the lining and some other stuff had been cut and put of the floor of the loft

Sister in law went to hang a damp towel on the rotary line and it just fell over, clean break and no rust.

The old tenants were asked to leave at the end of their lease because they weren't honest with the landlord and also weren't happy that the owners wouldn't sell the house to them.

The garden has been left a mess but mainly just overgrown.

Landlord still has deposit but not sure if they can go after any of the damage. They have pictures of it all but obviously, its going to cost a lot to repair and the replace. Is there anything they can do or will it be too difficult for the homeowners to prove any of this as they have already done the check out walk through?

Thanks in advance xx

davidmcn

Not sure I understand the question - has the landlord suggested that they're only going to fix the faulty items if they get the money from the previous tenants? As far as your family are concerned, the landlord needs to carry out the repairs, where the money comes from is the landlord's problem.

[Deleted User]

Take photographs, send to LL (email or preferably by letter) and ask for repairs urgently.

G_M

What the landlord can claim, or chooses to claim, from the previous tenants is none of your concern. Don't get involved.

What IS your concern is

1) that the current condition of the property is accurately described in the inventory the new tenants sign on moving in (to ensure they are not blamed when they move out)

2) that repairs that the LL needs to do, are done.

Actions:
a) take lots of photos
b) check inventory and add comments before signing - keep a copy
c) write (yes, a letter) to the LL listing all repairs needed

Now read:


* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new protection (2015)

* Deposits: payment, protection and return

Mela322

Sorry for any confusion. The landlord is taking action and fixing all the problems.

You are right, it's none of my concern other than just wanting to see if there is any help for the landlord. They are new to being landlords and so many of you have such great experience I thought I would just ask and see if there is a way they could claim for the damages. They do not have proof but having so many things go seriously bad and seeing that a pipe was removed, roofing removed and things cut, I just feel bad for the landlord. If these things were present while old tenant was in place, they would have been notified.

G_M

If the landlord does not know whether or how to manage his tenancy, his tenants, damage etc., the best thing you could do is refer him to

Tenancies in Eng/Wales: Guides for landlords and tenants
This thread is intended to provide information to both landlords and tenants relating to Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England and Wales.

Topics covered:

* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new protection (2015)

* Deposits: payment, protection and return

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

* Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

* Repossession: what if a LL's mortgage lender repossesses the property?

* New landlords: advice, information & links

* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?


and/or landlordzone.

Mela322

Thank you, G_M for the links.

I feel so bad for the owners. You always want to think good of people....

student100

It sounds like the landlord could pursue a case for criminal damage if he wished. If the previous tenants deny it there probably wouldn’t be enough evidence to pin it on them, though.