A landlords virus situation experience that could be useful to others

ftsos

I wanted to share my recent experiences with other members here. I know I have gotten some really good advice and help on here in the past. This time I am not posting for any answers or anything like that. It is about something that really stressed me out today.

The recent action taken by the government about eviction etc has been the right one. I realise landlords get a bad press. But not everyone is bad. 

Anyway, when the news of this came out, I had a feeling that there will always be some who will want to take full advantage of the situation. 

I had a tenant call me last Sunday and said that there was a nail sticking out of the garden fence. The call came after we were getting the advice to try and stay indoors. So, I said to the tenant, that because of what's going on I can't deal with it right now, it's just a nail, but I'll take care of it. And the issue was not there when the property was rented out.

Anyway, since that call we have had the country locked down so that we can't go out unless it is essential. More importantly, my wife is a key worker, working at a school, and my daughter got sent home with a temperature and a cough. So, we have been advised to isolate for 14 days - the whole family.

I got a message from the tenant that I need to deal with the garden situation. I advised her that a) this wasn't my doing b) I am not allowed to leave my house c) I can't get any DIY people to fix it, d) we can't buy any parts as all the shops are closed.

I didn't get any understanding from her. I got the feeling that she would be happy for it to escalate. So, I gritted my teeth and told her that I would deal with it.

By the way, before this, I thought I had a good relationship with the tenant, and I had no issues that I was aware of.

I don't need anything to go wrong with any tenant right now, especially since I am not working, as I am self-employed, and after todays news, I would be lucky if I got any support from the government. So, I have agreed to find a way of dealing with it.

The short of it is I will try my best to keep her happy for now as I don't have any choice. If she uses this as an excuse to kick up a fuss, this would be the worst time to deal with such a situation. 

So, what I am saying, I realise there are good tenants and good landlords. However, times like these bring out the best in some and the worst in many. 

It is just my 2 cents worth of experience or opinion. Use it how you like.

Please keep safe. Thank you all.

[Deleted User]

You have stated that you aren't asking any questions but the situation doesn't really seem resolved.  I wonder if you could offer to reduce her rent by £20 to buy a hammer with and remove said nail herself.  Its not hard unless she's 101 or something.  I assume she's sent a photo? Is the fence is a dilapidated condition i.e. is there an underlying problem?

greatcrested

ftsos said:

.....

I had a tenant call me last Sunday and said that there was a nail sticking out of the garden fence.....

Was that all the information you got? Sorry, but quite irrespective of the pandemic, you & your family's circumstances, that is a joke.

Yes, asking for a photo might have helped illuminate the problem, but frankly, garden fences have nails in them. Is the tenant in some way more than averagely at risk from a nail, through age (children, elderly) or mental capacity? And is there a reason the tenant cannot avoid going near the fence? Since the tenant is now aware of the nail, they would be entirely negligent if they were to hurt themselves with it.

Or is the tenant's concern not for themselves, but for the structure of the fence? I can't believe that that would be a risk from just one nail.

This is a matter that can be dealt with in due course, if at all.

My feeling is that the tenant has either over-reacted or is paranoid or seeking to make trouble.

My feeling is also that you have over-reacted!

FreeBear

Whilst the country may be in a state of lock down, martial law has not been imposed (yet). Going out to conduct "emergency" repairs would be a valid reason to be out of the house. As long as you and the tenant respect the social distancing guidelines, I don't see where there would be a problem.

Socajam

If someone can be that petty whilst we are going through a huge crisis like the corona virus, I would get rid of the tenant once things are back to normal.

unforeseen

I would take this time to ensure everything is in order, deposit lodged etc to enable you to issue a S21 as soon as you can

AdrianC

You are allowed out for work that cannot be done from home. That includes things relating to your residential lettings business. Tell the tenant that you'll do it, but they need to stay in the house while you're there. Wear gloves while you're there. Ten seconds with a hammer, bend it flat. Job jobbed.

It's less ballache than dealing with their whining.

[Deleted User]

I suspect that the 'we can't buy any parts' indicates the problem is a bit more than a nail sticking out.  But obviously its taken time to get in a state that requires 'parts' so can wait til this is over.  

AdrianC

deannatrois said:

I suspect that the 'we can't buy any parts' indicates the problem is a bit more than a nail sticking out.  But obviously its taken time to get in a state that requires 'parts' so can wait til this is over.  

Perhaps. But if the current risk is simply an exposed nail...

ProDave

Reading between the lines.

Is she lining this up as an excuse to not pay the rent "because you did not maintain the property" knowing you can't evict her just yet?

I would go with the gloves on and bang the bloody nail in.

greatcrested

If you go, ask for a photo first so you 'know which size hammer to bring'. You don't want to get there and find it's actually a totally different problem.