daughter renting

essexgal

tbs624 wrote: »

With the photos - put that day's newspaper with the date clearly visible in shot, as well as using the camera's date facility.:D

Take lots of photos - especially of any damaged, worn areas, etc.

Get yourself a second set printed out - pop into an envelope - one that seals very well so it can't be opened and resealed iykwim - initial across the 'seal' and post it to yourself - if possible do this at a post office which can print off a label with the postage amount and date on.

When it arrives, DO NOT OPEN IT - store in a safe place, your solicitors if possible. That way you've got photographic proof of the state of the property when you took it on - if there are any contentious issues at the end of the tenancy you can use the first set of photos as your proof. If they then say 'well they could have been taken at any time' then mention that you've got another set lodged at your solicitors, in a sealed envelope postmarked xx.xx.xx.

Hopefully you'll never need to use them but for the price of a second set of photos and an envelope/stamp it's worth doing.

essexgal

obsessed_saver

Make sure you go in there with a camera, take lots of pictures of the "state" when moving in. Print them out and add it to the inventory list with the estate agent and the landlord. It'll come in useful when it's time to move out. Usually they charge for "deep cleaning" carpets and toilets and the like when you're moving out.

Debt_Free_Chick

Ideally, the initial inventory needs to be agreed between the LL (or his agent) and the tenant - you are both saying "Yes, this inventory accurately describes the state of the property on the day we moved in".

In many cases, the LL sends the inventory and the tenant has "a few days" (not many!) to make any comment on it.

SouthCoast

My advice would be to take stupid/greedy estate agents out of the equation and deal direct with the landlord.

Castleman

Saint_Chris wrote: »

They have also asked could they give the living room a coat of paint, at our cost, which she has agreed to.

Surely you mean at your daughter and her boyfriends cost? :rolleyes:

Saint_Chris wrote: »

Now they are waiting for the estate agent to get back to them, what should i be advising them to do. Do we go round the house again and give it a through check.

I'd advise your daughter and her boyfriend to do their own research, then for them to go around the house again for a check if they feel it's necessary. I've never done a big check, but some people like to. I'd be advising them to do most of it themselves so they feel responsible for the place and not you!

Saint_Chris wrote: »

I just wish they had asked me 1st then i could have done my homework 1st.

don't put it on your shoulders, if they've taken it on, get them to do their homework...they are the ones who are renting! :j

Saint_Chris

SouthCoast wrote: »

My advice would be to take stupid/greedy estate agents out of the equation and deal direct with the landlord.

How do we do this, when it is advertised by an estate agent.

Surely you mean at your daughter and her boyfriends cost?

yes we don't mind painting the living room it is currently magnolia at the top and terracotta on the bottom, we just want to give the magnolia another coat, and gloss the woodwork and doors white again
but we would like to do the bottom of the walls a medium brown colour, again which we don't mind paying for.

Debt_Free_Chick

Saint_Chris wrote: »

How do we do this, when it is advertised by an estate agent.

You can't insist on it. You can only suggest this arrangement to the LL. However, he/she is likely to have an agreement with the LA/EA and the LL may not be able to renege on that without some (financial) consequences.

I think that "you are, where you are"

yes we don't mind painting the living room it is currently magnolia at the top and terracotta on the bottom, we just want to give the magnolia another coat, and gloss the woodwork and doors white again
but we would like to do the bottom of the walls a medium brown colour, again which we don't mind paying for.

If the LL agrees, then OK. But do get his/her agreement in writing or in the inventory/agreement somewhere.

geoffky

Sounds like you have sensible children ..they could of gone out and bought( imagine the pain of that)

SquatNow

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

They should insist on an inventory, which states every tiny defect. This is the condition in which the property is to be returned to the LL, with an allowance for "fair wear & tear" for the duration of their tenancy.

Without an inventory, at the end of the tenancy, there is no proof of any defects/damage that existed before they occupied the property.

True, but without an inventory, there is no proof it didn't.

In court there is no debate, full deposit returned. Case will go like this:
Judge: Ok so there the AST where's the inventory
Landlord: I haven't got one m'lud
Judge: I find in favour of the tennant and award legal costs against the landlord.

The judge may even, if you're lucky add:
Judge: I fine the landlord £500 for wasting the courts time.