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AIBU?

To be suspicious of many people living in my house?

134 replies

Pineau · 28/07/2016 19:30

I rent out my house via an agent, original guy who worked for agent who I dealt with was sacked for some reason, anyway rental was for a small family, parents and one child.
Soon after they moved in, fridge was reported broke so I ordered a new one for next day delivery.
Some months later agent did an inspection, old and new fridge in photos. Apparently the fridge started working again.
Then the new washing machine broke.
Agent said all in order,
Then they wanted a cooker hood installed as lots of condensation from cooking..
Now water pouring through ceiling from shower.
Plumbers there have said there were a lot of people in the house, four adults and three kids..
Anyway have the agent going to see tomorrow.

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Missgraeme · 28/07/2016 19:32

Sounds like maybe u have a squatter type problem.

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ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 28/07/2016 19:34

Your tenants are subletting.

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MunchMunch · 28/07/2016 19:38

Possibly all of them living there but maybe they just had friends round

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Pineau · 28/07/2016 19:39

I suspected they were from the first inspection but the agent was a bit vague and when I asked if she could go back as she hadn't photographed one of the bedrooms, she never replied to my email. There seemed to be beds all over.
Second visit, photos looked more orderly.

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FreedomIsInPeril · 28/07/2016 19:40

Squatters? Clearly you don't know what squatters are. Neither is subletting used accurately above.

So there were extra people there on one day, so what? They had visitors or guests, most likely. The appliciances is a different matter altogether.

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OTheHugeManatee · 28/07/2016 19:41

Your agent is on the fiddle. Go round yourself, but take someone burly with you for backup as well perhaps.

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Pineau · 28/07/2016 19:41

Yes, could be visitors, but my gut feeling there is two families there. Have the plumber there tonight who will report back plus the agent tomorrow so will see.

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Batteriesallgone · 28/07/2016 19:43

Phone round alternative agents that also do lettings and get them to go round and value the house (for sale and let). Don't tell them your suspicions.

If they suspect the house is being used inappropriately / being lived in by too many people they'll tell you. Switch to the agent who tells you in the nicest most honest way.

Crap agents and tenants can affect the value of the house, don't let a cheap agent damage your asset.

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ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 28/07/2016 19:46

Quite.
I should have said subletting illegaly.

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hotdiggedy · 28/07/2016 20:05

Maybe they have relatives visiting for a holiday?

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FreedomIsInPeril · 28/07/2016 20:08

Subletting is when you let out the property as a tenant rather than as the landlord, you pass on the tenancy to someone else. Not that you have other people living with you.

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ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 28/07/2016 20:08

Two fridges, two families.

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ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 28/07/2016 20:09

So what is it called when tenants let other people live in the property they are renting for money?

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FreedomIsInPeril · 28/07/2016 20:10

I have two fridges. Unless there is another family in the attic, its just the one family here.

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Batteriesallgone · 28/07/2016 20:13

You can parcel up the property and sublet some of it. It's perfectly possible for a tenant to live there and be subletting.

If I rent a 3 bed house and let one of the rooms to a student I am subletting.

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ohgoshIdontknow · 28/07/2016 20:13

no Freedom subletting also means letting part of the property. I think that is what's going on.

You poor thing OP - your agent sounds absolutely rubbish. I would go and talk to the agent in person if I were you.

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ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 28/07/2016 20:15

What is subletting?

Subletting happens when an existing tenant lets all or part of their home to someone else who is known as the subtenant. The subtenant has a tenancy for all or part of the property which is let to them and they have exclusive use of that accommodation.

More about subletting
What action can your landlord take because of subletting?

In some circumstances it's acceptable to sublet your home, but you generally need your landlord's permission. Your landlord may take legal action against you if you sublet your home unlawfully. Unlawful subletting includes if you:

need your landlord's permission before subletting all or part of your home but don't get it
aren't allowed to sublet all or part of your home but you do so anyway.
In these circumstances, you'll probably have broken a term in your tenancy agreement and on that basis, your landlord can take action to evict you.

Certain social housing tenants may also commit a criminal offence if they unlawfully sublet their home and could be prosecuted under criminal law.


From the CAB website.
Also OP says the two fridges are in the kitchen, side by side, working, so not quite like the fridge in the attic situation.

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Ditsy4 · 28/07/2016 20:16

My daughter has two fridges (5 people ) three vegans two meat eaters.
It could be relatives or it might be sub letting. Go and check with or without the agent.

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ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 28/07/2016 20:16

OP also mentioned extra beds.

It quacks like a duck and walks like a duck.

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Lorelei76 · 28/07/2016 20:17

quite likely they are living there en masse
when I rented my first bedsit type place, I was told I had missed out

then 2 days later I got a call back - they found out the man who was saying he'd rent it alone had a wife and child he was planning to pack in there too

I feel sorry for people who are forced to do this but equally as a landlord you are entitled to decide how many people are okay in your flat.

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MistressMerryWeather · 28/07/2016 20:22

Are they just fridges or fridge freezers?

If it's the latter they may just be making good use out of the extra freezer.

A big monthly shop could easily fill two freezers.

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Batteriesallgone · 28/07/2016 20:23

Too many people in a property generally leads to bathroom and kitchen problems.

Too much cooking in a kitchen - horrendous grease build up, sink blockages etc.

Too much washing and bathroom never being allowed to dry out (even good flooring can only take being permenantly wet for so long before it starts leaking out somewhere / affecting other areas etc). Drain blockages are common which can lead to flooding issues.

If you're suspicious already... Like pp said if it quacks like a duck

Also even if they aren't subletting and just like having lots of guests all the time they are still putting a huge strain on the property by overusing services. I'd want them out from the description here.

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Pineau · 28/07/2016 20:25

They are both fridges with a small freezer integrated.

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Pineau · 28/07/2016 20:42

Yes, batteriesallgone, kitchen and serious bathroom problems. It a small shower room and it's linoed but wood floor underneath apparently rotted.

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zoobaby · 28/07/2016 21:22

If it has turned into a HMO, and you allow it, you could be breaking some serious laws.

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