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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:

SurlyCue · 26/04/2015 18:07

Same experience here jessica. I was told council would perform an inspection, if repairs were causing a proven effect on my or my family's health then they would issue a notice for LL to repair. They could not force him to repair and he was under no obligation to repair even if re-letting after i left (probably due to LL giving notice because i reported him) they could place a restriction on the amount of rent he could charge whilst repairs remained undone but that was it. Basically they are powerless to force him to do repairs and couldnt stop him renting the place. Meanwhile i'd have been given notice from my home where i am otherwise really happy and my dcs go to the school/youthclub/playground right next to us.

Nolim · 26/04/2015 18:08

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

Another cultural problem that i have encountered is that in this country ppl dont fight the landlords even if the law is on the side of the tenant. I have had 2 landlords who tried to steal the deposit. Coincidentaly or not they were the only british landlords i have ever had. I hired a solicitor and problem solved

But i have heard plenty of ppl who just give up on getting back the deposit. Coincidentaly or not the happen to be british.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 18:11

Nolim not everyone can afford a solicitor and legal aid has been cut to the bone. Do you really think an elderly or disabled person or carer can afford that.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 18:11

mikesivier.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/the-truth-about-social-housing/

Nolim · 26/04/2015 18:14

Helena i agree.

But even ppl who can fight back do not. My point is that if more ppl figths for their rights then more landlords would be willing to follow the law.

Original poster

baies1 · 26/04/2015 18:16

Why should we have to fight the landlord fgs?

Ridiculous argument.

OP posts:

Jessica2point0 · 26/04/2015 18:19

nolim, the law really isn't on the side of the tenant when it comes to short assured tenancies. As I said up thread, retaliatory eviction is perfectly legal. I even wrote to my MP to complain about it. Nothing could be done, so LL just re-let without doing repairs. He had done the same to the tenant before me (assuming the neighbour wasn't lying). So complaining about lack of repairs means losing your home, and having to find the money to move (new deposit while waiting for the old one, removal costs, possible double rent due to overlap).

vitamink · 26/04/2015 18:19

OP, just to let you know that if you landlord has not protected your deposit they can be fined heavily as they will have top pay you 3 x your deposit if they do not protect your deposit before June 23rd;

www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/buy-to-let/11532831/Landlords-have-two-months-to-register-deposits-or-face-3600-fine.html

Nolim · 26/04/2015 18:20

If you landlord is reasonable dont fight. If he is unreasonable and doing something illegal fight for your rights.

Sounds logical to me.

Nolim · 26/04/2015 18:21

Thanks for the clarification jessica. Fwiw My experience with bad landlords is limited to security deposit and my comments reffer to that.

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 18:23

Nolim could you please explain how an 80 year old immobile man who has been left with no heating for 3 weeks over Christmas is suppossed to do that. Im all ears.

Jessica2point0 · 26/04/2015 18:25

nolim, the problem is where a LL is unreasonable, but the law isn't adequate to protect you. The LL has to make repairs, but forcing them to do so is long-winded, and you can be evicted in less time. So even if you try and fight (like I did), you don't get anywhere because as soon as you've left their legal obligations to keep property to a liveable standard seemingly disappears.

Would like to add (again) that my current LL is really good. It's the bad ones giving them a bad reputation that need to be dealt with. I think references would be a good first step.

Jessica2point0 · 26/04/2015 18:27

Actually, nolim, I agree with you about deposits. My sister had to take her LL to small claims court to get hers back. She won, but had to wait nearly a year! I think the new system seems better, but I don't know anyone who has had problems with getting deposits back recently.

vitamink · 26/04/2015 18:27

The rules around retaliatory eviction are also changing from October this year;

www.privaterentedservice.co.uk/news/retaliatory-eviction/

HelenF350 · 26/04/2015 18:28

In Scotland we have a landlord registration scheme where tenants can complain. Persistent complaints about landlords means their registration can be revoked and they cannot let any properties.

Nolim · 26/04/2015 18:28

Helena i already said that i agree that it is not easy for everybody to get legal help.

I also think that there is a culture in this country of letting the ll get away with your deposit in this country, even if the wronged tenant is not vulnerable.

Original poster

baies1 · 26/04/2015 18:29

vitamink - I believe a landlord can already be fined 3x the deposit

Should I have had confirmation/proof our deposit is in a scheme?

OP posts:

Jessica2point0 · 26/04/2015 18:33

OP, you should have the details of where your deposit is being held.

That's good about retaliatory eviction. We didn't have a gas safety cert for that place either. Maybe writing to my MP did help I still won't be voting for her though

Original poster

baies1 · 26/04/2015 18:37

Ok, thanks - we don't have any details re our deposit.

OP posts:

HelenaDove · 26/04/2015 18:47

Gas safety checks are about making a profit out of tenants. Its nothing to do with safety If it was.

a. Owner occupiers would be compelled to have them done.

b. they wouldnt be using contracters that keep making mistakes so that Transco keep having to come out and pick up after their mess.
c. contracters would actually turn up to do the safety checks rather than several no shows and then a malicious letter saying the it was the tenant who didnt let them in when it was THEY who didnt turn up.

LaLyra · 26/04/2015 18:59

I find it bizarre when tenants don't ask for any kind of reference or even information about me when I'm letting out my Grandparents old flat.

Part of the reason I chose my current tenant was because of the questions she asked me, as well as the fact that she had good references (with good proof of her address/tenancies). It was clear that she was clued up enough to know her and my responsibilities, without having expectations that I had no chance of meeting.

That said I also think that tenants should always make sure to meet their actual landlord. Unless you see proof that the guy from the lettings agency has the power to organise repairs without waiting for permission from the LL then he's not going to be the one who decides if the heating/boiler/oven/guttering gets replaced or repaired so your instinct about him is useless.

If you know as soon as you hand your deposit over how long it should be before you get confirmation of where it is being held then you get an early sign of potential issues rather than discovering months down the line that not only will he not fix something, but your deposit is unprotected as well so folks should get clued up before they hand over loads of money to someone. When you go for a rental ask where your deposit is going to be held - let the landlord know that you know their responsibilities, even if they don't.

PtolemysNeedle · 26/04/2015 19:06

YANBU, but landlords need pirate cation from bad tenants just as much as the other way around. It is wrong that people can overstay their tenancies and that landlords can do nothing about except pay out and lose a huge amount of money.

The whole system needs rethinking to protect both tenants and landlords.

SurlyCue · 26/04/2015 19:27

That said I also think that tenants should always make sure to meet their actual landlord.

Many LL use agents precisely because they cant be there to manage the viewings and tenancy. Many live abroad. (Mine is apparently in south africa) This is quite an impossible suggestion for many. It also ignores the fact that it is a LLs market. Tenancies are far outnumbered by the number of people needing them. As a prospective tenant you just dont have the leverage to insist on a meeting with the LL, unless the LL doesnt mind doing the job theyre paying the agent for. They can easily just let to the next person on the list who hasnt asked to meet them. Unless the place is a real dump, they'll get it let.

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