PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.

We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

End of Tenancy & Landlord Problems

Oldzskool
Oldzskool Posts: 84 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 9 January 2024 pm31 10:42PM in House buying, renting & selling
I have had big problems with my landlord since January 2023 due to his slow actions when I have needed things to be repaired.  This came to a head a year ago when the boiler broke down and I eventually had to report it to the housing standards who got involved and served him a notice which forced him to fix it within 3 days and the boiler was fixed by mid February 2023

At the end of April 2023, after the boiler was fixed, he attempted to increase the rent by around 28% from 550pcm to 705pcm beginning June 2023, by getting his estate agents to serve a Section13.  I disputed this increase and referred it to the 1st Tier Tribunal who decided that the Section13 was to be excluded due to there being an existing rent review clause in our tenancy agreement which should have been used and meant Section13 was not an option to him.  This clause says the rent will be reviewed every year on the anniversary of the agreement (Feb 2023) and each subsequent anniversary thereafter and go up or down in line with the previous 12months RPI.  The previous 12months RPI to February 2023 was around 13% .... Nowhere near 28%!

This ruling suggests to me that he missed his 2023 opportunity to increase the rent as it should be reviewed each February and allowing for at least a months notice of any increase he should be notifying me at the beginning of January of any rent increase he intends to apply.  He insists I owe him rent arrears from June 2023 to present and refused to provide me with a reference for my recent new property application although after explaining the situation the new landlord agreed that this would not be a problem.

Also back in May 2023 I had to report other issues that I needed repairing such as the oven which stopped working and the kitchen blind which jammed in the up position and several of the window locks which failed rendering my house insurance invalid.

He eventually came look at these probelms with a handy man in September 2023, measured up for a new oven agreed the window handles needed replacing and thats the last I have heard from him apart from several "you owe rent arrears" messages.

I'm due to move out in 2 weeks, I gave him more than his months notice, and I am wondering how all this will play out during the check out inspection and the return of my deposit in full? Particularly the broken oven etc but the rent increase/arrears also.

Sorry for the long post and any help or advice really appreciated

Comments

  • so your new LL is happy? Great.
    You've been paying the same rent since Feb 23? Great.
    If he claims arrears (not sure why from June not Feb) you raise a dispute with the deposit scheme. If he applies to the small claims court, you defend. Great
    The repairs should have been chased at the time but again, if he tries to deduct from deposit, appeal to the scheme. Did you report the window etc issues in writing? Anything in wrting from the LL?


  • BobT36
    BobT36 Posts: 594 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 10 January 2024 am31 3:49AM
    Take LOTS of pictures, inside and outside as you leave. Meter readings too. 
    Note down the condition and age of the decoration and carpets. 
    Video if possible. 

    He may try and claim via saying you caused damages etc. 
  • so your new LL is happy? Great.
    You've been paying the same rent since Feb 23? Great.
    If he claims arrears (not sure why from June not Feb) you raise a dispute with the deposit scheme. If he applies to the small claims court, you defend. Great
    The repairs should have been chased at the time but again, if he tries to deduct from deposit, appeal to the scheme. Did you report the window etc issues in writing? Anything in wrting from the LL?


    He claims June to present for rent arrears as his Section13 was served to me at the end of April 2023 stating the rent increase to start from June 2023 and to adjust my DD accordingly which I refused due to the tribunal decision and the rent review clause.  He's never sent me an invoice or a demand or anything telling me how much he thinks I owe in arrears either.

    I reported the oven, the blind and the window handles by text message to him in June and followed it up several more times via text message over a few weeks but eventually I gave up as it was clear he wasn't interested in doing any further repairs following the boiler situation.

    Who is responsible for arranging the check out/inventory time?  Should I contact him and propose the time or is it for him or his representative to contact me?
  • Should be OK (do you have screenshots?? ) but in future suggest also email or letter, keep copies.

    Another daft landlord!

    Artful: Landlord since 2000

  • Oldzskool
    Oldzskool Posts: 84 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 10 January 2024 pm31 7:44PM
    Should be OK (do you have screenshots?? ) but in future suggest also email or letter, keep copies.

    Another daft landlord!

    Artful: Landlord since 2000

    Yes I can easily take screenshots of the text messages.

    Since I served him the required notice of my intention to leave the property and end the tenancy at the beginning of February (this time by letter delivered 1st Class Recorded Delivery), is it his responsibility to get in touch with me and arrange the check out/inventory check and hand my keys back?

    I know he received the notice just before xmas but I have heard nothing from him about it since.
  • No the check out inspection is usually done after the tenant has left, with tenant not present. It's  for then LL/agent to arrange.
  • BobT36
    BobT36 Posts: 594 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Handing keys back on the final day of your tenancy or earlier is your responsibility, though. 
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,359 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Oldzskool said:
    Should be OK (do you have screenshots?? ) but in future suggest also email or letter, keep copies.

    Another daft landlord!

    Artful: Landlord since 2000

    Yes I can easily take screenshots of the text messages.
    Take them now and keep a backup - email yourself the images.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.