Are my tenants over-reacting?!

Becks045

We are renting out a beautiful newly restored garden flat to a retired couple and since they moved in we've had nothing but trouble from them.

The flat itself, is all brand new, including new double glazing, a new boiler through to new carpets, decor, kitchen and bathroom. We even had the garden done too. We did this as we prefer to rent out quality properties. Let me give you a few examples of the requests and calls we get each week:-

I've had phone calls about the seagulls splitting open their bin-bags and what am I going to do about it? (We in-fact left them 2 new dustbins which we didn't have to do).

A drain outside belonging to another flat in the building got blocked and I got phone calls saying that there was a drain blocked and if I didn't sort it out that day it would contaminate their water and they could catch HIV! I was speechless but even though it wasn't my drain, for a quiet life I sent someone round and got it cleared.

I've had phone calls that through the communal door post arrives for clearly old residents of the building and its stressing them out and what will I do about it? I've politely asked them to either ignore it or put return to sender and post back.

Another call informing me they didn't like the taps on the sink in the bathroom and found them difficult to switch off so wanted new ones. Again for a quiet life because until you do something they phone you every few days I got our plumber to go round and replace (another £100)!

They forgot how to use the new boiler despite me having gone through it and us leaving instructions so they switched it off somehow and then it drained the system so I had to get our boiler engineer out to them. Then they went and did the same thing again! It ended up costing me £150!

They called me saying that their British Gas Meter wouldn't accept the tokens and what was I going to do about it?! I called British Gas on their behalf and arranged for them to go out only to discover that they didn't bother waiting in for the appointment after it had been arranged.

The final straw was last week when they called to say there was a leak coming from the ceiling in the lounge and quote what they said to me 'they had noticed cracks and damp patches recently but didn't know what it was'! All the walls and ceilings are newly plastered so I'm sure it was clear there was some kind of issue. Anyway it transpires the people above installed a dishwasher incorrectly which had been leaking. I got someone round within hours to stop the leak and resolve but they are moaning I am responsible for the leak and it’s caused them a huge amount of stress and anxiety. It hasn't damaged anything of theirs just my ceiling. I've had to wait a few days for the ceiling to dry out but now they are calling me saying they are unhappy with this and it’s all my fault. I've tried to explain that if someone does something in a flat which I don't even own creates an accident how can it be my fault?! Apprently they don't feel comfortable and what am I going to do about it?

I really am a good landlord and try to be as fair as possible but I despair; they are on an AST contract until November. Can I ask them to leave...I've had enough of this?

Any advice?!

janegresty

Wow well I wish I had a landlord like you! What sort of tenancy are they in? I think they are being a bit OTT with the phone calls and the moaning, as clearly you bend over backwards to help them.
All I can suggest is giving them a list of reasons the are allowed to report. Or highlight the tenancy agreement where it says the bits you are liable for.
Not sure what else to suggest, but I really hope you get a quiet life soon!

Catblue

Eek. :eek:

I think you must have the patience of a saint, actually. Most people would have snapped by now.

They are being totally unreasonable, of course.

They sound like quite anxious people, so I'm not sure that further reassurance from you will make them any better. Even if you sat down with them and explained that they are being completely unreasonable with their requests, I don't think that they would get it.

Legally I don't think you can ask them to leave, unless they owe you rent or have breached their contract in some way. Excessive moaning by the tenant probably isn't covered in the contract.

However, you could maybe state that since they've made so many complaints, you would be willing to let them out of their contract early? If they think it is that bad, they should jump at the chance. If they don't jump at the chance, then you'll know that they realise that they won't get a better landlord elsewhere.

In the meantime, tell them that you'll have to charge them for any tradesmen that have to be called out due to their inability to follow simple instructions.

jamtart6

Ask them to leave!!!! "We dont like the taps" - hilarious!!

RabbitMad

yes issue a section 21. Life is too short to baby sit idiots.

I had tenants that moaned about everything, I did the things that were my responsibility and ignored the rest.

They were a right pain and I was glad when they left.

PasturesNew

They are completely mad and are playing you for a chump to be honest.

Seagulls - anybody knows that you either chuck a blanket over your bin bags or get a proper bin (own cost). My dad actually stands guard over his blanketed bin bags each bin day (retired obviously).

Drain/HIV. ROFLMFAO
Post. ROFLMFAO
Taps. Tough, unless there is actually something wrong, put up and shut up.

Boilers can be confusing, but they're whining rather than asking again nicely and being embarrassed at their own inability to remember.

Gas. You can't be responsible for their entire lives. Nothing to do with you.

Leak. You dealt with it as appropriate.

You've got some right whiny tenants there. You can either resolve this by explaining to them that these things aren't your responsibility and you aren't their Carer. If they want Care in the Community they need to move into sheltered accommodation. OR, just give them their Section 21 two months before the end of their AST.

Or, maybe they're just old and got to the doddery stage of life and really don't understand responsibilities. Maybe a chat with them to go through what is and what isn't the responsibility of a landlord. So they understand. What sort of accommodation did they live in before?

You're obviously at the seaside (gulls), so maybe they've retired and are treating you like they think a Council property is managed - and have unrealistic expectations of that even.

mlz1413

It sounds like they WANT to leave and quite frankly if I was their LL I'd be happy for them to leave - another 5 months of that and you could end up in the nut house!

Not sure how quickly you could get new tenants or if you have the funds to allow them to move out. But I'd decide if you want them to pay for you finding another tenant (in most AST's) or if you want them to pay/stay until Nov, or just leave and start again and then approach them about leaving / staying.

Approach them as if you are doing them a favour, ie if you want them to go but pay to find new tenant say that although they are contracted to pay you until November 2008 if they are that unhappy you will let them go early but will need to keep the deposit/£xxx towards re-advertising as per clause xx in the signed agreement.

Also get everything in writing!

If they don't accept what is on offer then tell them you only wish to be contacted about problems with your flat and not the block and that they should put everything in writing from now on.

Becks045

Honestly, I've never known anything like it. Actually reading the list of just a few of the highlights I've mentioned makes me laugh.

I'd like to see them rent through an estate agent and see what they have to say!

Clearly they have far too much time on their hands!

I think I'll suggest that as they are so unhappy with me as a landlord and think the flat has so many problems that on this occassion I'm happy for the tenancy to be broken early and see what they say.

iolande

Sorry to read about your problems . . .

They are over-reacting, however, I suspect they are getting used to your sorting out their little problems and they automatically reach for the phone and call you if they need help.

I think not helping them any more may get them to agree to cut the lease early. good luck.

kle87

You must have the patience of a saint, id have seeked advice and tried evicting them well before now. Citizens advice will be able to help and let you know where you stand. Good luck!

greytroot

Ahh the pitfalls of being a landlord. My experiences so far has really put me off doing this again.

You really need to lay the law down for this couple, they are taking the mickey and the more you do the more they will ask for - human nature.

Next time you get an unreasonable request ( tinged with stress) i would let them know what stress they have caused you.

Why not just ask them to leave and get someone else in. They are obviously not worthy tennants.