Landlord loss of earnings?

G_M

Elouhou wrote: »

We moved out of a property over 2 months ago, deposit was returned. Last month the landlady contacted dua to say the new tenants that moved in 4 weeks later had found fleas and moved out..

Do you know if they simply 'moved out' or did they end their tenancy ie by offering to surrender it to the LL who accepted their offer?

This is why I (and many LLs) don't like tenants with dogs (and cats etc - goldfish are fine!). You can never prove where fleas come from, but I've yet to come across a dog-owner who admits fleas may have come from their dog, or even that their dog smells (all dogs smell... of dog. And every dog-owner becomes immune to the smell).

However in this case I feel you've made an honourable financial gesture, and should draw a line now. Either don't respond, or just a short single line politely saying no.

All the LL can do is take you to court, and the chance of the LL winning is around 3%. (and the 3% is because judges all vary and can sometimes be unpredictable!).

diggingdude

seeming as you are taking on the costs of being a landlord, I wonder if the landlord will be sharing the profits in the future? As I think no i would stop all further communication

sal_III

Even if she takes you to court, the most she can expect is for you to pay for the flea exterminator.

It's her own fault that she let 1 month go, before treating, I imagine it takes a day or two.

I wouldn't have paid the £320 in the first place, no chance in hell to pay for "loss of earning".

Davesnave

AdrianC wrote: »

It's her problem, though - she should have ensured the property was up to scratch before returning the deposit, and definitely before letting to new tenants.

I think it was the scratching that was the problem.

Soot2006

The "goodwill" is essentially the repayment of erroneous repaid deposit to treat fleas that might have been linked to your occupancy. Block her number.



Incidentally, I have dogs and I have seen the occasional flea after they've been at kennels, etc. So far TOUCH WOOD the multiplication of such fleas appears to have been prevented by deep cleaning/hoovering the house.

gomer

I really think you should have ignored her. By paying it might be able to be argued you have accepted liability, not to mention you have opened the door to repeat requests from her now.

robatwork

Ignore/Block on phone and social meeja/Move on.

You made a mistake by paying anything but the chances of her going to court are minute, and the chances of her winning infinitesimal.

The only communication you should have now is IF you get court papers and then only with the court itself. It won't happen, she's trying it on.

shortcrust

She’s taking advantage of you. I bet she was astonished when you handed over the cash for the treatment; I suspect her expectation when initially contacting you was that she’d get no reply. As others have said above, time to start ignoring her.

parkrunner

You made a huge mistake by giving her the £320. The fleas may be the result of the new tenants. Was a check out done when you left and is the property furnished?

TripleH

Agree as deposit was returned you should not have paid. But thats hindsight...
There is no evidence the fleas came from :
a. Your pets
b. You
c. The landlord
d. The new tenants
e. A N Other individual

Plus is there evidence there were fleas at all? The landlord could be trying to pull a fast one. I will add that if you know your pets have fleas (anyone not just op.) its only fair to treat a property properly on leaving.