Landlord wants to show tenants around while I’m in the process of moving out

barneyj

I have no issue with them starting work while I’m still in residence. She asked if I I wanted to extend the tenancy but when I said I couldn’t afford it, she just said ‘oh, ok.’ The reason she offered this was to get my belongings out so she could start showing prospectives around.

I’m totally fine with people being shown around in my absence but as I’m working full time during the week, and the distance I’m moving to, my belongings are going to be here until 4 days before the tenancy ends

chucknorris

ognum wrote: »

As a LL I always come to an agreement with my tenants to show new tenants around while they are still resident.

Sometimes I agree to an early release, sometimes a weeks free rent sometimes not charging for damage etc but I have rarely had a void of more than a few days. I also get agreement that workmen can start work on the property before they leave.

The arrangements are mutually attractive and I have never had a problem. Ask your LL for a weeks free rent to let her workmen in if that suits you.

My outgoing tenants also usually show prospective tenants the property, it demonstrates to potential tenants that I have a good relationship with my tenants, and they also get the chance to ask the existing tenants about both me and the property.

elsien

She can claim for fair wear and tear, that's all. She can't claim for full redecoration after 2 1/2 years unless you've trashed the place and graffitied everywhere.
Lots of photos at the end of the tenancy and let the deposit scheme sort any silliness.
You do have a full inventory from the start of the tenancy?

00ec25

Paul_DNAP wrote: »

She is entitled to show people around,

she is not "entitled" to do that at all unless the written tenancy agreement has a contract clause that allows her to do so


there must be hundreds of threads on here explaining the principle of a tenant's right to "quiet enjoyment" - the legal basis on which: no clause, means no viewing if tenant says no.

barneyj

I do have it somewhere yes, but I can ask the agency for a copy if I can’t find it.

She and the agent are saying that the work surfaces and walls are beyond fair wear and tear.

They’re saying the same about the sill in my bathroom. It’s in the wall directly next to the bath which has a shower over, so when o take a daily shower as I have done for 2.5 years, the varnish has worn somewhat, which surely should be expected when subjected to daily blasts of water over such a long period?

tom9980

barneyj wrote: »

I do have it somewhere yes, but I can ask the agency for a copy if I can’t find it.

She and the agent are saying that the work surfaces and walls are beyond fair wear and tear.

They’re saying the same about the sill in my bathroom. It’s in the wall directly next to the bath which has a shower over, so when o take a daily shower as I have done for 2.5 years, the varnish has worn somewhat, which surely should be expected when subjected to daily blasts of water over such a long period?

document with pictures and video when they try to deduct go straight to the deposit scheme arbitration.

MEM62

barneyj wrote: »

She made me feel really guilty saying she was going to lose earnings and saying things like ‘I appreciate you’re moving out but I can’t show people around when it’s like this, I’m not going to be able to advertise it’. She said, in a really petulant tone, that she’s going to have to repaint my entire bedroom because of some slight discolouration on the ceiling in an area about 0.5 square metres!

The way she was talking made me feel absolutely awful, and now I’m panicking because she said she spent £4,000 decorating it and she doesn’t have that kind of money to do it again. I’m certain now she and the agency are going to withhold the entire depost.

None of these are your problem OP.

No way does it cost £4k to decorate. The landlord can show the flat as is if she wants to and if she makes arrangements with you to do so. Any work that she may want to do can only be done after your departure and void periods are part and parcel of being a landlord. It is a business like any other. It isn't your fault that they do not have any other form of income. Do not let her lay a guilt trip on you, you are not responsible for your landlord's personal circumstances.

Marvel1

barneyj wrote: »

She’s making me feel terrible now because she said she can’t show anyone around while the boxes are there because the house isn’t in a state to re-advertise, and she’s saying that it will cause here loss of earnings because it’s her only source of income and her husband isn’t working.

barneyj wrote: »

The way she was talking made me feel absolutely awful, and now I’m panicking because she said she spent £4,000 decorating it and she doesn’t have that kind of money to do it again.

None of which are your problem.

barneyj

I know, I need to detach from how she’s trying to make me feel. It’s hard because I have anxiety disorder and I’m panicking because I am working so much and I wish I had more time to scrub the whole place from top to bottom but I can’t afford to leave work earlier, as I’m completely relocating.

I kinda feel like they are holding me responsible for a lot of things that are genuine wear and tear. I’ve been here 2 and a half years, so of course the paint and wood finishes aren’t going to be pristine!

ThePants999

barneyj wrote: »

I’m certain now she and the agency are going to withhold the entire depost.

She might try. It's not in her power to just do it. She claims from the deposit protection scheme, you dispute, present your evidence, she should only get what she's entitled to.