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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Who is BU, re end of tenancy check out

56 replies

Zhabr · 11/07/2016 10:05

Hello everyone, please give your opinions on the following situation.
We are moving out of the rental property on 18/07, our normal pay day is 19 of each month. The agreement was that the checkout will be on 20/07. The agency wants us to pay £65.00 for that additional day. We agreed and said that we would like the checkout at 4pm at the earliest as we both work and just physically cannot be there before that time of the day. The agency rejected that and said that it will be at 2pm and that's final. Then we suggested to do the check out in the late afternoon on 19/07 and then we will not pay the additional fee of £65.00. They rejected that as well. Then we said we will try to make 2pm but only pay £30.00, as it is quite early checkout and why we should pay for the whole day. They rejected this again. After the emailing them back and forth my DH said that we will vacate the premises at 23.59 on 20/07 and will send the keys by recorded delivery. Checkout will be at any other day after that. Waiting for the reply on this one now... Just wonder where we standing in this situation, really...

OP posts:
CotswoldStrife · 11/07/2016 10:08

Is the issue that you want to be present at the checkout?

TutanKaDashian · 11/07/2016 10:09

Sounds like you're making things quite difficult for yourselves just for the sake of it.

threestars · 11/07/2016 10:10

They sound pretty unreasonable. Is it possible to go to their office and speak to them face to face? Doing so infront of potential clients who they want to take on may mean they are more amenable than via email?

Studious · 11/07/2016 10:12

You have paid for an extra day- that ends at midnight doesn't it?

We are having a similar issue, agency demanding that everything is removed and clean pre checkout which means that we are paying for a day that we can't occupy the house.

You must be there for checkout, as a seasoned renter (and landlord), lots of dishonest behaviour can result from not being there.

NickyEds · 11/07/2016 10:16

If I were paying £65 for an additional day I would expect to have the property until close of business on that day, so 6pm not 2pm.

SouperSal · 11/07/2016 10:20

The one time I swapped rental properties checkout was set for 11am and we had to be out straight afterwards. Inventory clerks tend to only work normal office hours.

Original poster
Zhabr · 11/07/2016 10:54

Thanks for your replies.
One of us must be present at the checkout. I expect them to rip us off our deposit TBH. I may start another thread on this one.
I agree the checkout should be within bisiness hours so until 6pm.
I agree to pay for the whole day if the checkout will be at 4 pm, it it well within the business hours.
Yes, the day ends at midnight.
I don't mind the check out to be the first thing in the morning on 20/07, but in this case I think I should not be made to pay for the additional day. 2pm is really awkward time for us.
The house is going into full refurbishmen shortly.
I cannot go to the office and confront them face to face as the it is quite far from the house.

OP posts:
Studious · 11/07/2016 10:59

The irony is that most tenants have to pay for the checkout report which is not to a company of their choice and they get the times dictated to them Hmm

specialsubject · 11/07/2016 11:34

this is a bit odd. Plan for my tenant is that they leave on the day when their monthly rent expires (IYSWIM) and the checkout is scheduled for next working day. But I would not expect them to pay rent after they've vacated the property!

as the landlord I pay for the checkout too.

OlennasWimple · 11/07/2016 11:37

Bear in mind check out can take an hour - so starting at 6pm would mean it would be 7pm before its complete, which is unreasonable if the checkout clerk works normal 9-5 hours

NickyEds · 11/07/2016 11:42

But op offered to check out on the 19th late afternoon Olenna and they refused. If they're going to make you check out on the 20th, charge you £65 for the extra day you should get the extra day.

Isitactuallyjustme · 11/07/2016 11:51

We are moving out of the rental property on 18/07, our normal pay day is 19 of each month. The agreement was that the checkout will be on 20/07. The agency wants us to pay £65.00 for that additional day.

I assume from this you pay rent on the 19th so the month/contract ends on 18th (hence why you are moving out that day)
In which case I wouldn't be paying a penny more, unless it's a (pre-agreed) fee for the checkout (I know some agencies charge the tenant for the inventory on check out)

That said I haven't been present for a checkout on any of our rentals, but have taken pics and noted condition once we emptied the house and never had/used tds to get back deductions from deposit

I know our check outs have been done some days after we moved out (which is a pain for us as it delays our deposit being returned) but surely it's down to the agent to arrange, and if they can't do it straight away that's their problem why should you pay for the inconvenience

Original poster
Zhabr · 11/07/2016 11:53

Yes, Studious, we are paying £100.00 for the check out.

Olenna, I know that the checkout will last for a long time (3 story 4 bed house), I have asked for 4pm and did lot's of the other suggestions, but the agency is insisting on 2pm, which we cannot make.

That's a good plan for your tenants, Special, I would expect to be treated in the same reasonable way. you must be a private landlord.

Exactly, NickyEds.

OP posts:
Creampastry · 11/07/2016 11:55

Video the property in the day you leave, just in case it's needed as evidence.

Studious · 11/07/2016 11:59

I agree Isit and its standard with most letting agencies to charge the tenant for the checkout. I never did as a landlord but had to for the past ten years with many different agencies as a tenant.

19lottie82 · 11/07/2016 12:04

weird!

Surely common sense would dictate that the check out takes place on the day you leave? If the LA can't facilitate this, and it has to be later, then that's their problem, not yours. I don't see why you should pay?

19lottie82 · 11/07/2016 12:04

what happens if you refuse to pay the extra? I can't see how they can force you to, or deduct it from your deposit.

does your lease mention anything about this? (not that it would necessarily make this enforceable)

SouperSal · 11/07/2016 12:05

I think most agencies outsource the checkout so they'll be bound by the diary commitments of the inventory clerk.

LivingOnTheDancefloor · 11/07/2016 12:20

Last time we moved out of a rented property, we paid until the end of the month, then arranged for check-out inspection to be carried shortly after (next couple of days) but weren't asked to pay anything extra.
Would you consider dropping off the keys at the agency on the day you move out? This way you are proving that you have vacated the property.

LivingOnTheDancefloor · 11/07/2016 12:21

Also, your lease should say who is supposed to pay for the inventory.

OurBlanche · 11/07/2016 12:21

Probably. I am a clerk and if I can't be there at 4pm then I can't be there at 4pm. 4 bed 3 storeys would take a couple of hours, to be sure the tenant feels they have had there say, got everything noted. And even out here in the sticks, my fee is much the same.

I do usually go in on the afternoon of the last day of the lease... I also do vacant Check Outs a day or so later (please don't, it always makes me nervous, who really did leave that mud stain? Tenant or LLs contractor?). So I would expect to be there at 2pm on the 19th... in the best case scenario!

However... OP - say yes to the 2pm and get there as soon as possible. The Clerk will appreciate not having you watching/breathing down their neck and I usually only take their comments when I have finished anyway.

19lottie82 · 11/07/2016 12:23

soupersal, that is correct, but why should that be the OP's problem?
What happens if they couldn't do the check out for a week? Surely the OP wouldn't be charged a weeks rent?

The agency must have had at least a months notice that the OP was vacating. I'm sure they could have arranged it for a more convenient time.

mamamea · 11/07/2016 12:35

This seems straightforward to me:

(1) The landlord pays for the inventory check typically on check-out, I am not sure why you are paying £100. Did you pay also on check-in? If so, I would not pay again.
(2) You do not pay a penny for anything after the 18th, since you have vacated the property at the end of the month
(3) You do not get to dictate the time or date of the check-out. (Except that it should take place as soon as possible after leaving, e.g., the next day at 10am.) If you do want to do so, they can charge you whatever they like as a 'fee'. If you can't make it, that's tough.
(4) You do not have to be present at the check-out. If a third party clerk is doing it, you probably don't need to be there. In any case, you can compile your own evidence/photos etc. now

mamamea · 11/07/2016 12:36

To be clear, you shouldn't vacate the property on the 20th. You should vacate on the 18th.

BillSykesDog · 11/07/2016 12:49

If you post the keys send them Special Delivery, not recorded. Recorded is very unreliable, often doesn't get a signature and doesn't have a financial penalty onRoyal Mail if not delivered. You will have nothing to cover you if they don't arrive (or the agency chooses to say they haven't arrived) and it could jeopardise your deposit as they could charge you for changed locks etc.

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