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Rental property damaged
Peter_Williams
Posts: 179 Forumite
My relative is overseas and I have agreed to keep an eye on his house, that he lets out.
Just went around to check and the occupiers have trashed it.
It seems during the winter they ripped out the electric fire and knocked a whole in the chimney bricks to make the 'original' fireplace. They used that to burn the internal doors and some of the carpets.
They speak little English and are blaming the previous occupiers - but as far as I know there has been no tenancy change. Another relative was supposed to be checking the place, but the tenants didn't answer the door. So obviously it has hasn't been checked.
Now the current occupiers are unhappy and complaining there is no electricity. I've said that's their problem and they should speak to the utility company. But there's at least 10 people in a 3 bedroom house.
Just went around to check and the occupiers have trashed it.
It seems during the winter they ripped out the electric fire and knocked a whole in the chimney bricks to make the 'original' fireplace. They used that to burn the internal doors and some of the carpets.
They speak little English and are blaming the previous occupiers - but as far as I know there has been no tenancy change. Another relative was supposed to be checking the place, but the tenants didn't answer the door. So obviously it has hasn't been checked.
Now the current occupiers are unhappy and complaining there is no electricity. I've said that's their problem and they should speak to the utility company. But there's at least 10 people in a 3 bedroom house.
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Comments
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There’s a lot there, but:
If he’s abroad, is a lettings company managing it on his behalf?
If so, tell them all this and let them sort it - it’s why he’ll pay his fees to them.
If not, and you/this other relative are doing it for him, do either of you have any experience of being a landlord?0 -
walwyn1978 wrote: »There’s a lot there, but:
If he’s abroad, is a lettings company managing it on his behalf?
If so, tell them all this and let them sort it - it’s why he’ll pay his fees to them.
If not, and you/this other relative are doing it for him, do either of you have any experience of being a landlord?
No letting agent.
The landlord's been doing it all cash.
From what I can gather, the rent has only recently stopped being paid, because the tenants went to my cousin's workplace to pay him cash. But he hasn't visited the house. So the damage was done when the rent was being paid.
But now it seems the lack of electricity has prompted the tenants to stop paying the cash and let me visit.0 -
I have no experience as a landlord.
I expect the landlord (my relative) has been ignoring all sorts of regulations.
I'll help with what I can, but I don't want to implicate myself in anything too dodgy.0 -
Peter_Williams wrote: »My relative is overseas and I have agreed to keep an eye on his house, that he lets out.
Just went around to check and the occupiers have trashed it.
It seems during the winter they ripped out the electric fire and knocked a whole in the chimney bricks to make the 'original' fireplace. They used that to burn the internal doors and some of the carpets.
They speak little English and are blaming the previous occupiers - but as far as I know there has been no tenancy change. Another relative was supposed to be checking the place, but the tenants didn't answer the door. So obviously it has hasn't been checked.
Now the current occupiers are unhappy and complaining there is no electricity. I've said that's their problem and they should speak to the utility company. But there's at least 10 people in a 3 bedroom house.
So your friend is letting an unlicensed and illegal HMO.
I suggest he instructs a solicitor to evict immediately.0 -
Not your circus not your monkeys. Your relative has got himself into this mess by being unprofessional and it’s not fair of him to put this on you or any other relatives.0
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Peter_Williams wrote: »No letting agent.
The landlord's been doing it all cash. - oh so no tax paid either.
From what I can gather, the rent has only recently stopped being paid, because the tenants went to my cousin's workplace to pay him cash. But he hasn't visited the house. So the damage was done when the rent was being paid.
But now it seems the lack of electricity has prompted the tenants to stop paying the cash and let me visit.
not surprising really, it's uninhabitable0 -
So your friend is letting an unlicensed and illegal HMO.
I suggest he instructs a solicitor to evict immediately.
The landlord is my relative, not that it really makes a difference.
The occupants could all be related in some way. They were all different ages. So maybe not an HMO, but probably overcrowded. Not sure if that's the landlord or tenants' problem.0 -
Peter_Williams wrote: »The landlord is my relative, not that it really makes a difference.
The occupants could all be related in some way. They were all different ages. So maybe not an HMO, but probably overcrowded. Not sure if that's the landlord or tenants' problem.
It’s very much the landlord’s problem.0 -
Ignoring HMO laws is not good news*. However, I doubt the tenants are in the position to be suing anyone.
Is there a lease in place? If so, I'm sure they've broken it and can be evicted on the terms set out in it. Plenty of solicitors to telp with this (Google some). If no tenancy, they can still be evicted. I think it's section 8 if they haven't paid rent for 2 months? Again, just instruct a solicitor and do it legally next time.
*Guide here: https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence0 -
Peter_Williams wrote: »The landlord is my relative, not that it really makes a difference.
The occupants could all be related in some way. They were all different ages. So maybe not an HMO, but probably overcrowded. Not sure if that's the landlord or tenants' problem.
Well i'll let you take a wild guess at who's problem it is.
In anycase it's a recipe for disaster; solicitor and eviction (and hope they don't shop him to HMRC, HSE, UKBA etc.)0
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