Mumsnet Talk

We're just about to rent out our house as we've relocated due to work.

All was going well, move in date agreed, tenants checks all fine etc. At the last minute they revealed that they have an elderly cat. I really really don't like cats but we reluctantly agreed to allow the cat. Again all appeared to be fine.

However this evening I've been sent an email listing thousands of pounds of work that the tenants want us to
do. Could I ask you what on this list you think is fair before
I talk to the letting agents
tomorrow?

1 redecoration of four rooms because of cracks. These are minor hairline cracks not great big gaping gaps in the wall. The agents described the house as "beautifully finished" so it's not like it's run down or anything. Two of the rooms they want redecorating because of the colour (pale blue and pale lilac).
2. There is a large she'd and a small tool store. There is a crack in the tool store. I have offered to remove it (given the large she'd is there) but they want it replaced.
3. They want the sealant replaced in the bathrooms because it has a couple of yellow spots on it (honestly just a couple of spots, it was replaced six months ago and it's been professionally cleaned).
4. They want us to provide garden furniture and a law mower (the house is for rent unfurnished).
5. They want us to replace a window because there is a little bit of misting in one of the sealed units.
6. They want us to pay for sky cabling for all four bedrooms.
7. They want us to move the spare roof tiles and slabs which are stored behind the shed (stored in case they are needed for repairs as the roof tiles are an unusual type.

We have no experience of being landlords. Is this par for the course or are they going to be a nightmare and should
I tell them where to go?

Shed not she'd. Stupid phone!

And lawn mower not a solicitor who mows obviously!

They're taking the piss. Cheeky gits. Repaint rooms, get sky?!

We have rented out our home for the exact same reason. If it was us and we knew we could rent it to others no problem then I would put it back up on the market. They sound like a nightmare.

Long-term tenant here; find someone else.

When I lived in a rented property all cosmetic things were down to me to sort out, and any major structural work left to landlord. We could decorate as we saw fit as long as it was done tastefully and fairly neutral and any holes in walls from pictures etc were filled in and painted over before leaving.

garden furniture?!

I'm a tenant. They sound like nightmares to me. As an example, this is what I requested the landlords deal with before we moved in to our current house:

*Remove building debris, including an empty calor gas tank, from the yard.

That was it. There were a few other little things that needing doing, but guess what - we did them ourselves because they were things for our comfort and nothing structural to do with the house. We swapped the taps around in the bathroom as the hot tap was labeled as cold and vice versa.

Do not let to these people. There is every chance that they will find reasons, based on decor etc not to pay their rent. Then the nightmare will really begin.

1 redecoration of four rooms because of cracks. These are minor hairline cracks not great big gaping gaps in the wall. The agents described the house as "beautifully finished" so it's not like it's run down or anything. Two of the rooms they want redecorating because of the colour (pale blue and pale lilac).

This seems a bit OTT! I suppose given the agent said the house was 'beautifully finished' it isn't unfair to expect there to be no cracks in the walls but you'd be totally within your rights to say they saw it, so sorry, it comes as is. Painting the walls different colours is just absurd!

2. There is a large she'd and a small tool store. There is a crack in the tool store. I have offered to remove it (given the large she'd is there) but they want it replaced.

Erm ... well, they can ask, and you can say no! I don't understand what they thought a viewing was for if not to ask about this stuff. Very OTT of them.

3. They want the sealant replaced in the bathrooms because it has a couple of yellow spots on it (honestly just a couple of spots, it was replaced six months ago and it's been professionally cleaned).

I reckon you're fine. It might again be that 'beautifully finished' coming to bite you on the arse, though. Why did you let the agent say that?!

4. They want us to provide garden furniture and a law mower (the house is for rent unfurnished).

Garden furniture - erm, no, they can piss off. Lawn mower - I see why they're asking, but no reason you shouldn't say no. However, IME you might struggle to rent a property with a lawn and no lawn mower. I've often found it is treated like white goods, and provided. But, that's just anecdote, so don't take it as gospel.

5. They want us to replace a window because there is a little bit of misting in one of the sealed units.

Like the above. Probably a bit OTT, but ...

6. They want us to pay for sky cabling for all four bedrooms.

They can go whistle.

7. They want us to move the spare roof tiles and slabs which are stored behind the shed (stored in case they are needed for repairs as the roof tiles are an unusual type.

Fair enough IMO, you did say unfurnished. Bit picky, but fair.

*We have no experience of being landlords. Is this par for the course or are they going to be a nightmare and should
I tell them where to go?*

I think they are largely taking advantage and being rude. Most of these questions should have come up at a viewing. Since they are so very minor, I think they are trying to see how hard they can push you. That said - I don't think your agent was wise to boast the place was beautifully finished, as it may have made them assume any flaws would be sorted. If you can risk letting them go as tenants, maybe you should? They might be a right hassle. And your place sounds absolutely lovely. 99.9% of tenants would clearly be thrilled with it. I've given my most pessimistic, arsey-tenant responses to these issues and I still think your tenants are ridiculously OTT.

Sounds completely unreasonable to me.

Phew some people agree with me!

I thought I was being a nice landlord as the lounge has a feature wall and we bought very expensive silk curtains to match the feature wall and I left them because I thought it was a bit mean to leave tenants to provide curtains for three enormous and non-standard sized windows!

In fact I've left nice curtains in every room and given them £100pm off the rent because it was over their budget.

They are taking the proverbial aren't they?

We are landlords & I rented for years.

Reject their application & don't even entertain another conversation on them. This is just the start, trust me!! <shudders at memory of 'naice' middle class tenants who fleeced me for £000's>

Erm ... can I come live in your place?!

Yes, they are totally taking the proverbial. Please don't let yourself get walked over. I can just imagine what an utter nightmare they'd be if you did rent to them.

I think these people will make your life a misery, find other tenants.

Don't do it, your regret that sort of tenant!
Are you in Herts at all looking for place

step away from these ott tenants.

You dropped the rent?!?!

NO NO NO! Your home is probably the most expensive thing you own & you want to rent it to people who already can't afford rent but do consider it your responsibility to decorate to their taste?

Stop this nonsense & tell em to sod off

You gave them £100 pcm off the rent and they're still being so picky? Absolutely repeat my previous advice to find someone else. This lot will be hellish.

My friend has just paid a tenant like these to go. The thousands they expect you to pay will be better used being offset against the time it will take you to find reasonable people.

Holy shit they sound like a nightmare. Drop them.

An empty house is better than a nightmare tennant.

And put your rent back up woman! It's not up to you to help people fund a lifestyle that they can't afford.

Tell 'em to sod off. You cannot be a soft touch when you're a landlord.

Tell them to go away & never come back again.
If they are like this now, can you imagine what they will be like when they are in.
I had a potential tenant insisting on pot plants in a mature planted patio garden

Sky is up to them to pay for. Insist on future tenants, if they want it, having sky dish sited on chimney as on house looks fugly.

You might find the window is still under warranty. Cheap repair even if not.

Lawn mower, well, if you want the lawn mowed... But on the other hand if they are looking at a house or garden flat they should expect to have to tend to it, & buy or borrow some equipment & materials.

However reasonable, or unreasonable, the requests, it's the attitude that stinks. They will be awful awful demanding tenants.

I am a landlord but also a tenant long term. My best bit of advice is not to take anything that the letting agent says as being accurate or truthful.

For me, it depends on the price bracket that you are renting it out in for some of the issues- you might think that I am picky but I asked for sealant to be replaced as was starting to grow mould, a sealed window to be replaced due to becoming opaque through a blown unit and I also asked for the house to be re-cleaned again. This was all done , my request for a lawnmower was refused though.

Lawnmowers are usually provided but you can't be held to that unless expressly promised. Tenants prefer neutral colours on the walls but that is being a bit picky.

Sky, garden furniture etc is all being cheeky and I would worry about taking them on.

I always negotiate on rent though as do my tenants, nothing wrong with that,it's sensible.