To be suspicious of many people living in my house?

[Pineau]

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.

[ivykaty44]

Toothbrushes in bathroom need counting, this along with milk cartons

Two fridges though is the giveaway to two families one fridge for each and both bring used with butter and milk in each.

[PersianCatLady]

Phone the Council for advice.
Personally I would be wary of doing that just yet until the OP has worked out what is going on.

[TortoiseVTurtle]

Anyone can be listed as a permitted occupier- a non earning spouse for example.

[poreme]

To be fair OP, looking at this from the tenant's point of view, they have (if its true) had a few things go wrong with the house (rotten/ leaking bathroom floor, condensation in the kitchen, broken appliances). Its important to remember that modern appliances are not built to last. For example, during a two year period when we rented a house (two adults and one child) we had an upstairs shower that didn't work properly, the same shower caused a leak into the downstairs ceiling when the plumber worked on it, the fridge broke (before breaking for good it did break and miraculously start working again several times), the dishwasher and washing machine both broke (they were quite a few years old at the point when we moved in). We also had several issues with the boiler and central heating system. All of this in a relatively new house! You are right to look further into the issue of the number of tenants but there could be innocent explanations for the other issues.

[PersianCatLady]

Anyone can be listed as a permitted occupier- a non earning spouse for example.
Yes that is true. Quite often in a couple where one passes the credit check and the other doesn't, the one who passes will be listed as a tenant and the other as a permitted occupier.

And in the case of rent arrears (for example) the landlord could only come after the tenant and not the permitted occupier.

[Lindy2]

There have been some problems with rental properties here where a family sized house is legitimately let out to a family or 2 couples. Within a short space of time there are 10+ adults in there. One of my friends has a rental either side if her being in this situation. The tenants are Romanians in these particular cases.

[PersianCatLady]

the fridge broke (before breaking for good it did break and miraculously start working again several times), the dishwasher and washing machine both broke (they were quite a few years old at the point when we moved in).
This is why a lot of LLs don't bother providing white goods any more because one or another of them always need repairing or replacing.

From a LL's point of view it is much better to let the tenant provide their own white goods.

[Pineau]

Poreme, the bathroom, appliances are just two years old, I understand that things do break down but if my hunch is right that the house is overcrowded then it can't cope with heavy, constant use.
When I lived there with my family I cooked all the time, never had condensation problems.

[PersianCatLady]

appliances are just two years old
Household appliances are intended for usual domestic use. The fact that they may be being used on a regular basis by two families is not usual domestic use.

[KittensandKnitting]

I live in a brand new house with all new appliances and my washing machine died a death.... Just two adults and two children living here

[KittensandKnitting]

Been here 18mts when it happened

[Pineau]

Persiancatlady, I did not want to leave white goods but all the agents I saw really pushed for me to leave them, I said I was happy to let them have them but would not replace but no, if I left them, and all tenants expect them, I would have to replace them. Should of sold them for a tenner lol

[PersianCatLady]

I would have to replace them
You were misled there, you could have stated in the AST that white goods were being provided but you would not be prepared to repair or replace them in the event they went wrong.

This is a common misconception that what is provided must be maintained and it is not true. You are under a legal duty to ensure the safety of any white goods that you supply which to most LLs is another reason for not supplying them.

It may be different where you live but where I live I would never expect white goods to be provided in the sort of property you describe.

Another reason which I was racking my brain to remember is that HMRC confirms that there is no tax relief for replacing stand-alone white goods.

Have you tried doing some online research about your agent because from what you have said here I am seriously dubious of them.

Also did the agent seem to personally know the tenant that you let to?

[Badbadtromance]

So what happened op

[Vvlgari]

Yes, would be interested in an update if the OP doesn't mind.

I left white goods in my flat. The washing machine had to be replaced but nothing else so far. I'm going to get the kitchen and bathroom redone next year though as they've been in there 10 years now.

When I rented, I wouldn't have considered a flat without white goods so I'm surprised that people are saying not to have them. As a tenant, it's too much of a PITA to shift a fridge/freezer, washing machine and potentially dryer and dishwasher every time you move. I remember looking at one house which didn't even have an oven/hob, let alone any white goods and I rejected it on the spot.

[Batteriesallgone]

Vv I think it must depend where you are. I can't imagine a rented property without white goods either but you learn something new everyday on Mumsnet

[Pineau]

Hi, the agent went round yesterday to do floor plans ready for marketing it, with instructions to check on milk and toothbrushes..
His agency does have all 5 star reviews.
Anyway heard nothing back from him, despite asking for an update this morning.
And just got a right move email with my house on!
Apart from some of the striped pine skirtings and cupboards painted black! and another small white freezer or fridge added, it looks tidy. The master bedroom which is huge is just photographed at one end with a bed shoved in the corner and the smallest double is not shown.

[PersianCatLady]

I wouldn't have considered a flat without white goods so I'm surprised that people are saying not to have them.
I have found out that including white goods often depends on the area that you are renting in.

Where I live there are so many more potential tenants than properties so LLs are do not have to try and “attract” tenants as tenants are falling over themselves trying to rent properties.

I can see that in areas where properties outnumber potential tenants that LLs would have to make their particular properties more desirable than someone else’s and therefore including white goods is a good idea.

On the whole though from an LLs perspective the provision of white goods causes more hassle than it is worth.

[redgoat]

Someone told me that the provision of white goods makes it easier to evict/get type property back should you need to. I'm not sure why or if that is actually true.

[CitySnicker]

Get them all moved out as bathroom will need redone. Then re advertise through another company.

[CitySnicker]

Make sure you take price to have wood re stripped from deposit.

[KittyKrap]

Weird. When we rented we had to list everyone living there and then when my son turned 18 he also had to be listed. Sounds a nightmare.

[KP86]

Were you planning on advertising for new tenants? Your original post didn't mention that...

[HmmmHashtag]

What's HMO???

[scaryteacher]

My letting agent advised no white goods, I let my 4 bed detached whilst we are abroad.