Help Please! Signed lease but not happy with property state!

Dustella

HI All,

I wondered if someone might be able to help.

I viewed a property 2 months ago whilst a tenant was still there. The agent told me that she couldn't confirm which of the furniture I was viewing was included with the 'furnished' house. The house was extremely cluttered with the tenants belongings so it was really hard to see the place for what it was, but the rental market round here is so fast that you only really get chance to have one viewing. The condition seemed fine and I applied (on the basis the house was professional cleaned, ceiling damage repaired and hallway painted)

When I got the email to say it was ready to move into, I asked about the hallway and was told they had not had time to sort this but it would happen at some point after I moved it. I refused to move until this was done (as my experience once you;re in this never happens!) and as such they managed to get the hallway painted that week. I picked up the keys this morning and signed the paperwork.

I went round to the house and was really disappointed. Now the tenants stuff is gone the state of the house is really exposed! The house is filthy - walls severely marked, some windows don't open, mould in bathroom, broken or unsafe furniture, broken floorboards, broken fire tiles, broken kitchen tiles, filthy furniture etc.

Ive signed the 6 month AST and paid my deposit and first months rent upfront. I 100% don't want to live in the property,. Can anyone advise me what I can do from here please?

Thank you!!
Karen

Comms69

Dustella wrote: »

HI All,

I wondered if someone might be able to help.

I viewed a property 2 months ago whilst a tenant was still there. The agent told me that she couldn't confirm which of the furniture I was viewing was included with the 'furnished' house. The house was extremely cluttered with the tenants belongings - What like someone was you know, living there?! Luck you had a viewing at all. so it was really hard to see the place for what it was, but the rental market round here is so fast that you only really get chance to have one viewing. The condition seemed fine and I applied (on the basis the house was professional cleaned, ceiling damage repaired and hallway painted) - And you obviously wrote all this down and got it signed?

When I got the email to say it was ready to move into, I asked about the hallway and was told they had not had time to sort this but it would happen at some point after I moved it. I refused to move until this was done (as my experience once you;re in this never happens!) and as such they managed to get the hallway painted that week. I picked up the keys this morning and signed the paperwork. - Congrats!

I went round to the house and was really disappointed. Now the tenants stuff is gone the state of the house is really exposed! The house is filthy - walls severely marked, some windows don't open, mould in bathroom, broken or unsafe furniture, broken floorboards, broken fire tiles, broken kitchen tiles, filthy furniture etc. - So clean it? Ask if they want you to keep the furniture, etc.

Ive signed the 6 month AST and paid my deposit and first months rent upfront. I 100% don't want to live in the property,. Can anyone advise me what I can do from here please?

Thank you!!
Karen

Look to move in around 5 months.


It sounds simply like a house that's got a few years on the clock. If you wanted pristine, you buy brand new.

HampshireH

Assume you have an inventory with this all on.

We all have to clean when we move in. Its quite standard.

I cannot see where there is a breach of the AST unless these things are written in to it to be done.

Disappointing yes. Sort your inventory out. Clean it. Raise the repairs in writing. Move your stuff in and start making it your home

[Deleted User]

Take lots of photos of damage and dirt. Make a back up copy. This is very important. Send an email listing damage, then clean. Other posts are correct, this is normal, I have yet to not clean my place to within an inch of its life and then have to clean again when I get to the new place.

All you can do is make sure you aren't charged for the damaged items when you move out now you have signed the tenancy.

Its definitely not ideal but most of the damage you describe can either be cleaned or hidden (cover damaged floorboards with rugs unless there are dangerous holes).

Even furniture can be cleaned with biological washing liquid, removing dirt and excess water with towels or hire a shampooer. I do it all the time to my sofa etc (although I must admit I run the removable covers through the washing machine on a low temp wash).

Mould can be cleaned with Cillit Bang mould remover - I've used bleach/vinegar and found the quickest most effective cleaner is Cillit Bang (get it from Pound shops). It actually dissolves it as you watch. Be careful to leave bathroom window open when you use the shower/bath.

If any damage that could cause injury, report it in writing to the LL/LA.

As said, its not ideal, but not a lot else you can do now.

dimbo61

Home bargains and the pound shops to get cleaning products.
Ovenpride is £3,50 at Wilko and follow the instructions carefully with window open.
If the place does not have LED lightbulbs go and buy some from home bargains.
Change the main ones you will be using the most.
Keep the old ones to go back in when you move .
Take lots of photos of every bit of damage and email to the letting agents NOW.
If they send out an Inventory make sure you point out every mark and any damage.
You could request the property is cleaned professional but then the letting agents/LL might expect it professionally at the end of the tenancy.

InterestedParty2018

My penny's worth...

Has the landlord failed to fulfil any of the obligations set out in statue and/or the AST? I am guessing not.

The place is dirty (can be cleaned), simple repairs are required (can be repaired).

Does the rental price reflect the "standard" of property?
Im not suggesting that anyone should rent anywhere substandard, but there is of course going to be a difference in price between a luxury, recently finished, top standard home versus a lived in, basic tired rental property.

My advice (along with everyone else is seems)....
- Take photos and document EVERYTHING. Send it to M/Agent and landlord and insist upon them acknowledging receipt.
- Cleaning; well, just get on with it and have peace of mind that at the end of the tenancy you will not be held accountable for cleaning costs!
- Repairs; request these are undertaken. Suggest a time frame, and pursue it regularly in writing. I would never suggest paying for them and knocking cost off rent, without the written consent of the landlord.
- Broken furniture; ask Landlord for replacements asap. If they refuse, ask for written consent to dispose of. On receipt, dispose and purchase your own that you can take with you when you leave. (FYI, some broken stuff may even have belonged to the ex-tenant, who could not be bothered to dispose of it themselves!)

In conclusion, I am sorry that the home is not what you were expecting - unfortunately I am not confident there are any legal grounds on which you can retract the contract, without incurring costs. (The landlord *may* consider retracting the contract, but unlikely without asking for some of their costs to be covered. eg lost rent until a new tenant can be secured.)