Problem Tenants

I dislike bad landlords (there are some),

I think this should say 'I dislike any landlords who don't bend backwards to make the life of their tenants like staying in a hotel and forgive all tenants who behave badly because the law allows them too.

This thread is a perfect example. No indication at all that the LL has acted badly, much to indicate that the tenants have done so, yet you post to assume that the LL has been acting wrongly and that the tenant did them a favour by doing what they SHOULD be doing, even if they law grants them the right not to.

FBaby wrote: »

I think this should say 'I dislike any landlords who don't bend backwards to make the life of their tenants like staying in a hotel and forgive all tenants who behave badly because the law allows them too.

This thread is a perfect example. No indication at all that the LL has acted badly, much to indicate that the tenants have done so, yet you post to assume that the LL has been acting wrongly and that the tenant did them a favour by doing what they SHOULD be doing, even if they law grants them the right not to.

The problem with the law, is when it is enforced its more about who can shout the loudest, like what I said in my previous post I scrub properties when I moved out so its at least as good as when I moved in, and in cases where it was a pigsty when I moved in made it far better and only once (a place with no deposit) was I given my deposit back the others always claimed the place was disgustingly dirty, that one above stating I never once cleaned in 3 years despite receipts that showed I hired a rugdoctor, spent about £35 on cleaning materials and had photos of it clean, the property before that I was charged £120 for a tiny studio flat because they found a few crumbs in corner of cupboard, and I forgot to clean a baking tray that cost £1 (it was mine and I forgot to pack it) they even had the cheek to charge me £12 for rubber gloves and cleaning materials on top, again had photos of it spotless but was advised by Shelter its hard to take to court and easier to just take the hit, was before the deposit schemes came in sadly though.

Property before that, landlord kept entering my studio flat and opening letters, going through drawers and opening letters, messaged me saying my flat was a tip (I left a plate and pan in soak when I went to the shops) and he would fine me if I did it again. I mopped and hoovered every day.

Funniest though was when I was in halls and got a phone call saying cleaners refused to clean it, I had left a empty can of cola on the side (but hoovered bedroom before I left) was told to go back and clean it, got keys went into room, picked up the can and put it in bin outside, and handed keys back, was told cleaners had no problems then.

But the general response to that was by me admitting I left a single can it means I wasn't spotless, (even though I polished the sides, hoovered the floors, dusted the walls etc)

These days I have gotten to point of thinking why even bother, I spend hours or days cleaning when I move only to be accused of not cleaning at all.

Like most LLs, I take on my responsibility fully and don't see it as just a way to make money (which as it is isn't turning to be so, but heho, can still hope it will in the future!).

The way some LLs behave is appalling, and I would never defend the actions of a bad LL just because there are a LL.

However, the law is very punitive of LLs even those who do no harm, but just happen to make errors of court, ie. through learning, even though the outcome of that learning is unlikely to make much of a difference to the tenant.

I just find it plain sickening that the law, tht was put in place to protect tenants, is more and more often used as a mean to punish LLs, even those who've done no wrong. Advising freely that tenants can take a LL to court for 3 times their deposit even when they got the full amount back just because it was protected a few days late -because they just can, or that tenants can just stay after the S21 has expired -just because they can is doing nothing but encouraging a society that will take whatever they can regardless of the morals.

Of course, they are the same people who then come and cry when they suffer the consequences, ie. can't get another property because of bad references, or council doesn't care much for them because they know they will be difficult tenants.

So my advice is, as a tenant, pick your LL too. If you see a property that rents for cheap, accept that there is most likely a good reasons for it. Ask to meet the LL if possible and get a feel of whether they are professional or consider their property as their own home. If the house is in poor condition when visiting, it is likely that asking for any repairs will be problematic. We all look for a good deal, but when it comes to your home, don't try to cut corners and be prepared to put the price for good quality accommodation and service.

Then sign up for only 6 months to start with so that if your judgement let you down, you can get out soon enough. Include in your budget a sum every month to cover costs of having to move, advance another deposit etc... (just like LL have to budget for repairs, cost of lack of rental etc...). If you are unfortunately to be given notice, start looking for something else asap and do move as per your contractual arrangement unless you REALLY cannot do so, in that case, communicate with your LL and explain what you've done to move out on the date and what has gone wrong.

Much much more likely to have a positive outcome all around then taking the attitude of 'you'll be lucky if I move on that day because you're a scum LL and I know my rights, and that is that I can stay as long as I want and will get some sadistic pleasure in seeing you going through the stress of taking me to court and losing out financially'.

I mostly agree, almost every landlord I have had has rented "cheap" at least in the sense that its not overpriced but at a going rate for the area, and the properties that have good repuation and much nicer condition go for a premium.

I only once had a good agency myself, I had to leave a month early though and told them to keep my deposit, but the main issue people have is references and being on low income, I had issues when I first left home finding somewhere that took me when I left college, ended up with dodgy landlord, moved back home for 18 months, then got a place I lived for 3 years dirt cheap, no real issues there but LL refused to give me a reference, moved somewhere that didn't need a reference amazing flat, but my income changed so went for a 2 bedroom flat that was only £20 more per week, severe damp in it due to leaking roof, enviromental health got involved after we still had no repairs 6 months in and said if it got worse it would be a health risk, LL spun that to say EH said it was fine then for involving them tried illegally evicting us and we had to get police involved, found somewhere instantly but flatmate couldn't afford deposit on new place and came back a week later to find locks changed (and whilst in there other issues like there was human fluids and bodily waste in every room that took days to clear and LL promised to pay us to do it then changed his mind)

New place, illegally evicted as LL claimed I owed rent when in fact he owed me (due to council paying 6 days at start of tenancy before it began)

Moved to a nice place but student accomodation, moved out after one of flatmates ran up debts in our name and I left course, moved another place lived there 3 months but landlord kept not turning up to collect rent, didn't answer phones, didn't have payment details on contract and would turn up at random shouting and screaming at me for being a dosser and expect paid be it midnight at night or 6am, he changed locks on me for 2 weeks but wanted rent for those 2 weeks, and eventually illegally evicted me then cheekily told me I owed him rent when I had a pc, tv, and about £1000 in possessions in there.

Moved somewhere else, all was fine when I lived there apart from person in room downstairs having party and LL getting complaints from neighbours and telling me if it continues he would (illegally of course) evict us and keep our deposit, never got it back as he refused to release it without proof utilities had been paid

Lived in about 5 other properties since then, almost identical issues at each, always comes down to their word against yours and me making sure I photo every property when I move in and leave many times it was a case of holding a tenant to ransom because they knew you were on benefits even told to my face how I should be greatful to get anywhere to live because I was on benefits and they were doing me a favour, had one up the rent and claim I owed 8 months of arrears and pay or else I did even though I disputed it then was told by paying I admitted it which wiped out my savings only could move a few months later as I got backdated ESA.