End of tenancy today but a couple of concerns

[Deleted User]

Hi,

My tenancy is ending today and I have a couple of last minute concerns.

I won't be able to get an electricity meter reading as the meter is in an area only the landlord has access to and no one else in the flats does (this has been a big problem throughout the whole tenancy). He is unfortunately away and not back any time soon (when I discussed the leave date he gave me no indication that he wouldn't be available at the end of the tenancy). As the flat has been largely unused for the past month I think the energy company will over-estimate quite a bit (there has been almost no gas usage and very little electricity usage - mainly the vacuum cleaner and low energy lights on a few occasions). I suppose I will just need to accept whatever the energy company estimates.

Which leads me on to dealing with the keys. He said to just leave them in the flat. OK, so the night will take care of locking it, albeit just one of the locks. However, I don't feel overly confident about not leaving it locked properly.

He is now also saying that no one else lived in the flat before me, but they definitely did (I have it in writing from him in an email from a few years ago and also have a copy of the inventory from when I moved in which has very clear signs that someone else lived there - a very mouldy fridge-freezer, dirty oven, and similar). I'm not sure what his agenda is. Maybe he forgot, or he has an agenda...

I had hoped to see him on the final day to go through the inventory, discuss the fact there was a previous tenant and hand back the keys.

thanks,

Ryan

G_M

Deleted_User wrote: »

I won't be able to get an electricity meter reading as the meter is in an area only the landlord has access to and no one else in the flats does (this has been a big problem throughout the whole tenancy).

This is unfortunate - I guess you'll just have to trust the LL to take an accurate reading. If you don't see him, I would certainly write and askfor th reaing so that you can give it to the elect. company for the final bill. Maybe arrange to return at a mutually convenient timeto read it together?

He is unfortunately away and not back any time soon (when I discussed the leave date he gave me no indication that he wouldn't be available at the end of the tenancy).
Well sometimes LLs go away....

As the flat has been largely unused for the past month I think the energy company will over-estimate quite a bit (there has been almost no gas usage and very little electricity usage - mainly the vacuum cleaner and low energy lights on a few occasions). I suppose I will just need to accept whatever the energy company estimates.
Ask the LL for a reading.


Which leads me on to dealing with the keys. He said to just leave them in the flat. OK, so the night will take care of locking it, albeit just one of the locks. However, I don't feel overly confident about not leaving it locked properly.
If he instructed you in writing to leave the keys in the flat, then you should ..... leave the keys in the flat. Any consequential risk is his.


He is now also saying that no one else lived in the flat before me, but they definitely did (I have it in writing from him in an email from a few years ago and also have a copy of the inventory from when I moved in which has very clear signs that someone else lived there - a very mouldy fridge-freezer, dirty oven, and similar). I'm not sure what his agenda is. Maybe he forgot, or he has an agenda...
I don't see the relevance.
Provided the check in inventory accurately described the condion of the property at the start (did you agree/sign it?), and there is an accurate check out report, the two can be compared.
But it's always wise to take photos showing how you leave the property.


I had hoped to see him on the final day to go through the inventory, discuss the fact there was a previous tenant and hand back the keys.

In most cases the check-out inspection is done after the tenant has left.
Whether or not there was a previous tenant is irelevant.
You have received clear instructions re the keys- nothing to discuss.

sal_III

Just ask the LL for final reading of the meter, preferably with a picture for proof, then submit said reading to the supplier as final readings when closing/moving the account. Leave your account in debit and pay the final bill once it's calculated.

If you follow the written LL instructions of where to leave the keys, you have nothing to worry about.

Whether someone lived in the property or not, is irrelevant. As long as the condition matches between the check-in and check-out inventory, you have nothing to worry about.