Rental worries

Rental_Help

Thanks everyone for your help. I just really wanted to know if anyone had suffered these sorts of problems/worries as a renter? jondav thank you for coming back with your thoughts on long term stability.

Guest101

MyOnlyPost wrote: »

Not the best idea, unless as a tenant you can guarantee that you can always be in when the landlord needs to do his 6 monthly check and will always be available for emergency repairs. You can't expect your landlord to fix your leaking boiler the same day whilst you are at work if he can't gain access.

In extreme circumstances if the landlord needs emergency access for safety issues (e.g. neighbour reported gas leak) whilst you are at work or just not in then he has to break the door down which you will be charged for as you denied him access.

If the neighbour reports a gas leak to a LL, that LL should contact the National grid (Call the National Grid Emergency Line 0800 111 999)


Not pop round to have a look....


(in other words, please don't make up scenarios to argue that locks cant be changed)

Pixie5740

Rental_Help wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your help. I just really wanted to know if anyone had suffered these sorts of problems/worries as a renter? jondav thank you for coming back with your thoughts on long term stability.

Yes I've had landlords try to keep my deposit. However, since the introduction of the deposit schemes it's much easier to challenge the proposed deductions to get your money back. Yes I've had other issues with landlords. One wanted to remove the bad juju left behind by a previous tenant by burning a smudge stick and wafting the smoke around the flight as I followed behind ringing a bell (true story). It turns out that any bad juju was most likely down to the landlord being a complete A-hole. On the other hand I've had some great landlords who left me alone to get on with my life. It's all part of the rich tapestry of life.

What is your alternative? Can you afford to buy somewhere? Can you live with your parents forever?

FBaby

My biggest fear would be if I was in need of a long term property in the area (for instance because my kids go to the local schools), LL said that they intend to rent long term, but only want to sign a 6 months ast to start with to be sure all is ok, to be handed an S21 after 4 months as they always intended to come back into the property after 6 months travelling.

tim123456789

MyOnlyPost wrote: »

I never said don't change the locks, or you can't change the locks. I simply stated my opinion that I don't think it's the best idea. You disagree, fine, but why try to start an argument?

By changing the locks you are immediately saying "I don't trust my landlord" and without any grounds, but I suppose that's a perfectly reasonable opinion too.

or you could be saying "I don't trust the agency"

and IME they have earnt the right not to be trusted

tim

hazyjo

Why should landlords get automatic trust and tenants not? Don't see how changing the barrel is any worse than taking a deposit and/or reference. Obviously there's an element of trust there as you're letting someone take on your property as their home.


As tim says, the agency (if there is one) is often not to be trusted.


We get many threads here from tenants whose LLs or agencies are letting themselves in/demanding immediate access for non-emergencies...


It would be one of my concerns for sure, along with no long term guarantee.


But then you have far more worries as a buyer IMO!


Jx

macman

OP, if you no longer want to live with your parents, can't afford to buy, and aren't eligible for social housing, then the debate is somewhat academic-you are going to have to rent.

Norman_Castle

MyOnlyPost wrote: »

By changing the locks you are immediately saying "I don't trust my landlord"

By changing the locks a tenant is securing their privacy and home. Would landlords or agents give tenants keys to their homes?

Its sensible for tenants to leave a key with a trusted neighbor for emergency access.