Can a landlord enforce that the issues can only be fixed by the handyman he appoints?

sam.ssrs

I am having a tough time with the ex-landlord of mine who is asking me to fix some of the issues that we are not agreeing to. That aside, he has now told me that, I cannot bring my own handyman to fix the issues. Only the handyman appointed by him will fix the issue and he will send me the final bill.

Can he do that legally? I am concerned that he will find the most expensive handyman to do the job as it's not his money he is spending. What are my options here?

Comms69

You have no right to fix any issues as you are no longer the tenant.


As to him enforcing payment; how do you expect him to do so?


Deposit deduction?

sam.ssrs

Comms69 wrote: »

You have no right to fix any issues as you are no longer the tenant.


As to him enforcing payment; how do you expect him to do so?


Deposit deduction?

Yes, deposit deduction.

AdrianC

If these are issues that you are liable for fixing, and you've moved out, then you missed your opportunity to fix them yourself. If you wanted to do that, you should have done it before the check-out.

AnotherJoe

sam.ssrs wrote: »

I am having a tough time with the ex-landlord of mine who is asking me to fix some of the issues that we are not agreeing to. That aside, he has now told me that, I cannot bring my own handyman to fix the issues. Only the handyman appointed by him will fix the issue and he will send me the final bill.

Can he do that legally? I am concerned that he will find the most expensive handyman to do the job as it's not his money he is spending. What are my options here?

And he's concerned you'd find the cheapest handyman as its your money you are spending and not your house so you dont care about the quality of the work. Plus since you employed the handyman he'd have no comeback should the work not be up to standard.
As said by Adrian C fixing it before you left was your chance.



Should you disagree with the deposit deduction and thus the cost of the work, you can take it to the arbitration scheme and challenge it then

sam.ssrs

AdrianC wrote: »

If these are issues that you are liable for fixing, and you've moved out, then you missed your opportunity to fix them yourself. If you wanted to do that, you should have done it before the check-out.

Isn't that a bizzare way of working as the issues are only highlighted in the checkout report which happens after I move out.

I agree that the issues that I am aware of, I should fix while I am staying there. But we are talking about minor issues here which are difficult to pick and hence unlikely to be fixed while I was living there.

AdrianC

sam.ssrs wrote: »

Isn't that a bizzare way of working as the issues are only highlighted in the checkout report which happens after I move out.

The check-out is where the line is drawn between you having access and responsibility, and you no longer having access and responsibility.


What if you need to, say, touch up the paint on a windowsill? While doing so, you stand in the paint can and tread paint-covered footprints all over the rest of the flat?

Should there be another check-out after you've had a chance of post-check-out fixing?

And after that? And after that? And, of course, each time go through the deposit arbitration to ensure that everything's mutually agreed as a definite issue?

need_an_answer

Have you not registered a dispute with the deposit deduction service yet?

I believe that was the way you were pointed to by posters in answer to the last thread regarding this.


There is no need to be in communication with the LL from the point you move out.


The point of the check out inventory is to highlight any issues however as the tenant who has been living in the property you should also have "walked through" the check in inventory prior to moving out and this would have given you chance to pick up and potentially rectify any discrepancies.
It isn't uncommon for tenants to put some work into bringing the property back up to check in standard in order to secure their deposit back.

AnotherJoe

sam.ssrs wrote: »

Isn't that a bizzare way of working as the issues are only highlighted in the checkout report which happens after I move out.

I agree that the issues that I am aware of, I should fix while I am staying there. But we are talking about minor issues here which are difficult to pick and hence unlikely to be fixed while I was living there.

If they are minor (hence you missed them or you think they are wear and tear and LL doesnt) and you disagree with them, then that's what the deposit dispute scheme is for.

G_M

Either

1) you agree the issues are your fault (damage, loss etc) and you fix them before you leave, or

2) you agree the issues are your fault (damage, loss etc) and you wait for the landlord to fix them and then pay him (cash or from your deposit), or

3) you don't agree the issues are your fault and you dispute the damage claimed by the landlord, or

4) you agree the issues are your fault but disagree that the amount claimed is reasonable, and dispute the amount claimed.