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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think there should be references for landlords?

48 replies

baies1 · 26/04/2015 17:30

I've got another thread going about how my landlord is being a bit useless, and I am thinking of moving.

But I dread having another crappy landlord and putting up with problems that were covered up or invisible when viewing the property (mould painted over, damp wallpapered over, washing machines that are there but don't work, extractor fans that don't work). Plus not fixing other things as they arise. I don't think our landlord has even put our deposit in a scheme.

So AIBU to want a reference for a future landlord?!

I KNOW there are great landlords out there so obviously they wouldn't worry about a reference on them, because they'd come up well. But I know too many people who are putting up with lazy, unscrupulous landlords!

OP posts:

SaucyJack · 26/04/2015 17:33

YABU.

We need tighter laws and regulations to prevent shit landlords from being able to stay in business- not an online stars out of five system.

sleepwhenidie · 26/04/2015 17:33

I'm pretty sure there's a recently started website for this, I think it's a great idea.

mousmous · 26/04/2015 17:33

yanbu
imo there should be a register which states the amount of properties they let out and the average length of occupation by one tennant.

HirplesWithHaggis · 26/04/2015 17:35

YANBU, and I'd give my ll a fantastic reference. They are totally business-like, repairs are usually done promptly and they don't bother us with inspections.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 17:36

YY mous mous If you are applying for a job and you hear that position and company has a high turnover rate you would approach with caution. Your idea would work on the same principle.

SurlyCue · 26/04/2015 17:37

I totally agree OP. You are handing over a significant proportion of your income each month, more than for any other bills you have, you should be able to find out beforehand whether that party has a good record of fulfilling their contract responsibilities. Ive always thought this tbh. I really cant see why anyone would object to it. If you are a good LL you would be only too happy to provide references to show it.

sliceofsoup · 26/04/2015 17:38

We need tighter laws and regulations to prevent shit landlords from being able to stay in business- not an online stars out of five system.

Well while we wait for the government to actually do something about it, an online stars system is better than nothing.

There are great landlords out there but there are thousands of bad landlords getting away with so much, and nothing is holding them to account.

SurlyCue · 26/04/2015 17:38

We need tighter laws and regulations to prevent shit landlords from being able to stay in business-

References would also prevent shot LLs staying in business.

Jessica2point0 · 26/04/2015 17:39

YANBU. My previous landlord was shit. I'm really pleased I have an excellent landlord now, but I wish I had been able to warn potential tenants of my previous home.

Original poster

baies1 · 26/04/2015 17:39

SaucyJack - what kinds of laws and regulations? Maybe a reference system would see the shit ones be put out of business!

OP posts:

Stampysladygarden · 26/04/2015 17:40

YANBU. I have a winning contender for this. Looking for a new place now and terrified I will end up with another tosser.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 17:40

Its not just private landlords though.

www.theguardian.com/money/2014/oct/02/housing-association-residents-no-heating-family-mosaic

SurlyCue · 26/04/2015 17:40

My first and second LLs were fantastic and i would (and do) sing their praises to anyone that wanted to know. Current LL is non-existent. No repairs done at all, including very urgent ones, ive had to do them myself at my expense.

HelpMeGetOutOfHere · 26/04/2015 17:41

Yes. As well as decent tenants we need decent landlords.

I (touch wood) currently have a good landlady but previously had two awful ones. One who left us without hot water two months into our twelve month tenancy and due to the rules tried to chase us for te shortfall in rent after we took all the steps required to get a repair and withheld the money from the rent.

And another who claimed that we hadn't paid rent for six months! Luckily I had kept the payment details received from the landlord and had paid by bacs so had proof of the payments. He also refused to fix the built in oven that didn't work the day we moved in and also didn't fix the toilet which wouldn't flush.

It seems that whilst there are procedures in place for these instances that they are extremely long winded and go on for weeks/months usually leaving the tenant in dreadful conditions.

Also some kind of regulation about the upkeep of fixtures and fittings. I don't mean that new kitchen and bathroom periodically but if something is broken it needs to be fixed/replaced.

makeminea6x · 26/04/2015 17:41

YANBU

HelenF350 · 26/04/2015 17:52

If your landlord is not fulfilling their obligations report them to the council and/or environmental health. That's what they are there for.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 17:55

I also think the problem is a cultural one You are looked down on in this country if you rent.

If you dont own property you are seen as having failed somehow. When i was growing up a house was seen as a home Now its seen as an investment.

And if you are seen as having failed then society deems it doesnt matter if you are treated as "lesser" or "other"

Grapejuicerocks · 26/04/2015 17:56

I'm a good landlord. I'd welcome references.

The trouble is though, that good landlords would then be in demand and may end up being able to command more rent, or they'll be able to pick and choose from quite a few prospective tenants. Doesn't that create a new set of problems?

HelenF350 · 26/04/2015 17:57

If you don't have a note of where your deposit has been lodged your landlord is breaking the law. Take them to court.

Original poster

baies1 · 26/04/2015 17:58

You're right Helena.

Fed up of the accidental landlords I know going on about how they 'dread' to think what a 'state' their properties are in.

There are plenty of us tenants who do a much better job of maintaining these properties than the landlords do!

OP posts:

SurlyCue · 26/04/2015 18:00

If your landlord is not fulfilling their obligations report them to the council and/or environmental health.

If only that had any effect.

Jessica2point0 · 26/04/2015 18:00

helen, when I tried that the environmental health department told me it'd take so long for them to sort it out my tenancy agreement would be up before anything was sorted. When my LL found out I'd contacted them, I was asked to leave. It's called "retaliatory eviction", and perfectly legal (provided the correct notice is served). Landlord was free to paint over the mould (again) and get someone new in without having to do proper repairs.

londonrach · 26/04/2015 18:03

Yanbu. Ive had some good landlords and some frankly awful ones. The worse refused to come to mend the indoor water feature that appeared onto night in our loungue after a very heavy rain fall (heard the guttering fall to the ground and was picked up next morning) the water Ran down the wall. Very very damp. I took photos and drove them to the agent office and dumped them on the desk. Agent phoned and said landlord wasnt interested. I said it was causing damage to the carpet, wall (and our sofa) to say nothing to our health. Gave notice that month. (Agent asked us if this was why we said yes and agent said he totally agreed. Landlord might do something now). Landlord was forced by agent to repair the guttering outside the window which meant the water ran into the lounge down the back water when it rained before they relet it. Agent seemed very shamed by this and told us several times that their hands were tied. Husband has asmtha so this situation was awful. Full desposit back.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 18:05

Yes Helen but like HelpMe said these avenues are time consuming and the tenant is left to cope in the meantime.

Some of whom are elderly and have to cope without heating/hot water in the winter for weeks. Do you think they can wave a magic wand so they dont die of hypothermia while these wheels are turning?

I see many posts on here about how ppl should take personal responsibility and look after their health because the NHS is so stretched. Well what about corporate responsiblilty. Because when that is mentioned ......tumbleweed.

Because hospitals are having to deal with situations where elderly and disabled people are left without heating and become ill because of it. Its not ONLY fuel poverty . Its down to landlords who want ppl to go for weeks without an essential repair while they .

a. look for the cheapest possible way of doing the repair.
b. refuse to get another contracter to finish/correct the repair when their sub contracter fucks it up because they have tied themselves into a situation where they have put these contracts out to the cheapest possible tender.

Meanwhile the tenant gets no say and some tenants (because a lot of social housing tenants have jobs) have to keep taking time off work to accomodate cheap contracters no shows and fuck ups!

expatinscotland · 26/04/2015 18:06

YANBU

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