Disgruntled/Sad Landlord!!

Crashy_Time

Fuzzyness wrote: »

where have you heard that? can you point me in the direction of a source please? asking as we have a buy to let that we are considering changing to a holiday let.

The direction of political thinking on BTL and second homes is clear from the tone in the media for a while now, there are more voters priced out/peed off with empty homes in their village out of season when families can`t afford to buy than supporters of BTL/Holiday homes. Brexit vote was the alarm bell going off. If you own any kind of property prepare to become a tax/council tax target in future.

Crashy_Time

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71918749#Comment_71918749

G_M

Filey wrote: »

GM.
* How much were the arrears? Approx £1500.
which constitutes how many months rent? Was this how you evicted? Via a S8 Notice? If not, why not?

* What action did you/your agent do to chase the arrears at the time? ????

* did you evict or did the tenants give notice (or worse, did they just leave and the tenancy did not end?) The tenants were evicted via a S8 Notice? S21? At least you (or your agent) seem to have acted wisely by using the courts.

* what happened to the deposit? The deposit comes to me from the agent. My Q was in the past tense. Your answer is in the present tense.
Thus I assume you have not yet received the deposit so - what is the current status of the deposit?

* how much is the total cost of arrears & damage? More than the deposit? Yes Then you use the courts - small claims track via https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

* Do you have an onward address for the tenants? No but the agents might. Best find out first as you'll need that for your court action. Plus there are ways of tracing people......
*

Have you got written quotes for repairs, cleaning, replacements? You'll need these whether you use the deposit scheme or the courts.

Bear in mind 'betterment' - you can't claim a brand new fridge (or carpet etc) to replace one that is near the end of its (15 year?) life anyway.

FBaby

The laminate floors are seriously damaged. The fitted kitchen really need replacing. The fridge door won't open properly.
The oven is not operative.

Surely these don't date back to 13 years, or even longer? If so, then you've done extremely well as a LL not to have to replace anything until now.

tim123456789

Crashy_Time wrote: »

Government is going to tax this to the limit and beyond, it is politically prudent to do so now.

Are they?


So far it has been exempt from the changes in the rules (except for some tightening upon on the qualification)


unlike BTL, it is seen as a "legitimate" business


Far better returns with less risk (both of non-payment and of property damage), but far more work (though that can be subcontracted out)

tim123456789

Filey wrote: »

Lots of good advice from assorted people. Following, replies to points raised.

Pixie. I didn't pick the tenants. The letting agency did that. No, I was not asked for a reference to whichever landlord has them now.

Deannatrois. It was in the hands of an agent who were supposed to do what was necessary. Similarly with the deposit. Their arrears were greater than the deposit. The cottage has been let for in total about 13 years, through the same agent.

It's been rented for 13 years and you are concerned that the kitchen is worn out?


that's pretty much fair wear and tear for a rental prop (I know an OO would make one last longer but tenants don't)


tim

Crashy_Time

tim123456789 wrote: »

Are they?


So far it has been exempt from the changes in the rules (except for some tightening upon on the qualification)


unlike BTL, it is seen as a "legitimate" business


Far better returns with less risk (both of non-payment and of property damage), but far more work (though that can be subcontracted out)

BTL was viewed as the best thing since sliced toast until relatively recently, then the political and media tide turned, why would hoarding property to make a buck from tourists be seen as anything different?

Davesnave

Crashy_Time wrote: »

why would hoarding property to make a buck from tourists be seen as anything different?

Possibly because the economic activity in some areas is heavily geared to the holiday market, in all its forms.

No one is going to take away a significant part of that at a stroke.

Crashy_Time

Davesnave wrote: »

Possibly because the economic activity in some areas is heavily geared to the holiday market, in all its forms.

No one is going to take away a significant part of that at a stroke.

A family living year round in a holiday home (when they have bought it from the taxed out owner) will spend more than an occasional visitor though, and if the area really is that attractive people will still visit? My perception of a "holiday home" is one that the owner uses a few weeks a year, maybe rents out if they can, but is empty a lot of the time, especially in the winter time. Didn`t Cornwall change the council tax rules on holiday homes? They wouldn`t have done that unless there was sizeable public opinion against the practice of keeping holiday homes. My opinion is that if people want to holiday in an area they should pay for a hotel, housing should be there to house people not as an investment or an occasional entertainment.

Madmel

Sorry Crashy Time but your perspective is somewhat narrow. We own a holiday home which is part of our house. We let it out to visitors, mostly between May and September. It used to be farm buildings attached to our house when it was a very small farm and was converted 30+ years ago. For various reasons detailed in the original planning consent, we cannot sell this off to a third party, so it can only be used either by us or let out for no more than 13 weeks to the same visitor.

Yes, it is frustrating when properties are sold off for holiday homes. When you live here year-round, you need to keep using the pubs and local shops so they stay in business. We also need families with children to keep the nursery and primary school in the next village viable. Holiday home owners do not need schools and many will rock up for the weekend bringing all their food with them. Some parts of Cornwall have realised that this is a major issue in places like St Ives, but it is not the case across the region.

Your final comment that visitors should use a hotel is rather dismissive. Our property is single-storey and we allow dogs. This means that guests with disabilities come here, and around a third of our visitors bring their dog. Few hotels allow dogs and in this area where there are no major hotel chains, often hotels are converted Victorian houses where wheelchair access is limited. People want the flexibility to prepare their own meals (religious or dietary needs) and for a family, self catering holidays can be considerably cheaper than hotels.

Sorry OP for going somewhat off-topic. I hope there is a speedy and satisfactory resolution to your problem.