Tenant hell - Shall we sell or rent or stay put.

Kaysummer

Hi all,

We own a flat and have lived here a couple of years now and have had 2 lots of tenants live below us. Both an absolute nightmare. I cannot cope living here anymore, mainly due to my anxiety as I am sensitive to noise and i am becoming obsessed with what is going on downstairs. We share a garden and they let their dog poo all over the place and they slam doors with such aggression and he shouts all the time but I know we are lucky in that they aren’t partying or playing loud music and things. I think he is constantly throwing a ball at the floor or wall because the banging is making our floors jump and it happens too often to be a door, maybe once every 5 minutes. Their bedroom is below ours and we can hear everything! Anyway I could go on. We are unable to buy another house right now as we took out a large loan when we moved in to do renovations. So still have 3 years left to pay it off. I have very bad debt so can’t go on the mortgage. We have been discussing whether we should privately rent a house just to escape from here. Thing is, what do we do with the flat? If we sell it, it could sell in a week or could take years. If we rent it out then where do we start and is it an expensive risk. I have tried to speak to downstairs but had the door slammed in my face. I was very nice too, was raging inside! So I can only think this is our only way to sanity. My other half is quite happy to put up with it as he is so very laid back but I think my anxiety is making me so desperate to leave. Any suggestions on what you would do please?

markin

If you have hard flooring carpet it.

Voyager2002

Talk to a letting agency: they could have a look at your flat and let you know how much rent you could reasonably expect to receive for it. The same agency could also let you know the cost of renting. Be aware that if you are buying with a mortgage there may be issues with the lender, and that if you make any profit on letting the flat you will have to pay tax on it.

Crashy_Time

One benefit of renting is that you can be away from stuff like this very quickly if you need to be......but as you are there until you sell maybe play it carefully and don`t escalate complaints/incidents with the neighbour that you might have to disclose later when selling. They don`t sound too bad, just sounds like they don`t care if you hear their doors or shouting voices, could be a lot lot worse IMO. Don`t go down the renting out route, that is only for people who really know what they are doing nowadays because of tax/regulation, just price the house to sell and say Bye Bye!

Marvel1

Before considering renting the flat out and going into the landlord business, read the sticky thread by G_M

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5180214/tenancies-in-eng-wales-guides-for-landlords-and-tenants

Socajam

If they are tenants, have you approached the agency/landlord?
As a landlord, I informed the agency upfront that I am do not want any one: with dogs, or who smokes

Kaysummer

Yes I’ve emailed the letting agency. No response. They were allowed a dog as I spoke with the landlord when he was making repairs when the last tenant move out. He increased the rent for anyone wanting a pet.

Kaysummer

I think you’re right. We need to just sell. Probably put on the market and when it’s sold we just rent until we can buy again

Chop-D

For your health, I would sell. We once had to pay an early repayment charge on a mortgage to move from a flat where we weren’t happy with the area having moved there, and it was one of the best decisions we have made. Much happier in our new place!

G_M

does the lease for the building permit pets?

Kaysummer

markin wrote: »

If you have hard flooring carpet it.

Hmmm I’m not sure actually I’ll have a look 👍