Email from tenant refusing to pay rent tomorrow. AIBU to give notice by return?

[birdladyfromhomealone]

Osting here for traffic also in Legal
Gave notice in September that we would be increasing rent £27 pcm. From Jan 3rd 17.
This is the first increase and they have been tenants for over three years.
Tonight we had an email that they have not signed the new contract or changed their direct debit as although they they agreed to this increase in Sept they now say they want repairs done first.
We had new DG windows fitted just before they moved in 3 years ago. They have managed to break 3 window locks in that time. The first one we replaced within the guarantee but these further two were broken in the summer.
We said they broke them so they should pay to replace them.
There was also a leak from the shower which was fixed at our expense.
We also had to have the ceiling re plastered due to the leak. We went round as planned to paint the new ceiling and the tenant a SAHM had forgotten and was out. A wasted 25mile round trip for us.
We texted and she apologised and has never come back with another convenient time so we left it.
Now they are saying they are not paying the increase tomorrow until we do the repairs.
Thoughts please

I dont want to sell as it was my Mums house!

Lovely jubbly
This time next year you'll be millionaires

forgot to change the direct debit.

In which case, surely the original amount would have gone through? Or did she "remember" to cancel that, but "forget" to set up a new amount?

Just because the OP has a second property doesn't mean she should act as a charity for some idiot who thinks they can damage the place and live there rent free! Why on earth should the OP sell?

Yes its odd - she was trying to hold you to ransom over the sake of £27. If she had really forgotten the DD she would have got in touch last night

"I'm so sorry I've just realised I have forgotten to update the DD, the rent will be hitting in two parts this month, the original DD and the £27".

I wouldn't fix for a year with these people - in fact check the terms of your BTL as that may not be permitted

Lovely jubbly
This time next year you'll be millionaires
Really? How so?

I would still want her out, she is trying to dictate to you and this will happen again. You will regret not following through with the S21.

Of course the fact that it is going up and up in value and you can get someone else to pay you to live there has nothing to do with it

If you had to pay some sort of land tax you'd sell up pdq

I think the section 21 freaked her out.

I cant believe they have had the cheek to ask you to provide a dishwasher and tumble dryer...who the fucks expects that ?

pigwrestler the OP will likely be being taxed on the income. From April she can no longer offset the mortgage interest again at tax. She inherited the house - why should she have to sell it?

Formerpigwrestler9
It has gone up about 40k since my Mum died 5 years ago which is less than we spent on it!
Millionaires how on a house worth less than 250k?

we allow private individuals to have such power over other, less fortunate, people. More social housing, and so much it ends the ability of private individuals to profit from other people needing a basic human right - a place to live. WTF is wrong with us that we're allowing this to happen in this country? Slap a section 21 on someone who has paid rent, wants repairs done by the people who ought to be doing them (and seems to resent it), and why on earth should they pay a hike in rent if repairs are not done?

Well said!🙆

I would still evict.

Birdlady Ignore. There's some sort of class envy thing going on with pigwrestler.

Joffrey the OP hasn't "resented" making repairs and, if you RTFT properly, has paid for things that technically should have been the tenant's liability. She mentioned those things for the sake of clarity on the thread.

I think the millionaire comment was tongue in cheek for all those accusing you of making huge profits

pigwrestler are you conveniently missing the parts where the OP arrived to do work as agreed and the tenant forgot?

Bollocks pigwrestler - this tenant expects the LL to pay for things she, the tenant, and her family have broken or damaged. Those things are not the LL's responsibility. I don't like the term, but she's the very definition of an entitled madam. If she's in your neck of the woods, you could offer her a house share with you.

you can get someone else to pay you to live there

So, what are you suggesting, pigwrestler? The tenants need to rent somewhere to live as they can't afford to buy. The OP has a property that is empty. Should she let them live there for free?

Joffrey, before you start building barricades and sing the Internationale, you should consider that OP as the landlady also has some rights.
The ceiling was not painted because the tenant forgot. Honestly, it's up to the tenant to make the move and arrange for a second date which she will not "forget".
The OP has done all in her powers as a landlady to make the house suitable for living and provided all repairs.
It's not only the landlords but also tenants who have their duties to pay the rent in time and arrange for suitable times for repairs. Where is the responsibility of the tenant in your post? Nowhere. It's like describing a little silly toddler who needs to have their hand held at all times.

So the rent wasn't actually late but you still served a s21 notice on them? I agree with previous posters that you aren't cut out to be a landlord. You seem to view anything you do in regard to the property as a personal inconvenience, you don't even do the basics such as investigating why their window locks keep breaking, you issued a notice to evict two days before your tenants had even missed a payment and you are utterly clueless about your legal responsibilities. You should not be in the position where people rely on you for shelter.

Slap a section 21 on someone who has paid rent, wants repairs done by the people who ought to be doing them (and seems to resent it), and why on earth should they pay a hike in rent if repairs are not done?

So you would be happy to keep paying for repairs of locks that tenant's child has broken 3 times? The tenant should be responsible for repairs in this situation.

OP, don't engage with the LL-haters.

In your shoes, if you don't want to sell, I'd consider appointing an agent to manage the property. Some will take existing tenants on. And a whole lot less stress for you. Ask around locally for a decent agent, get a recommendation if possible.

It's up to you if you follow through with the s21.

charles the OP's opening post stated the tenants had informed her they were withholding the rent.

No "investigation" needed for the broken locks - their toddler broke them - the tenant acknowledged that. And the "leak" was due to negligence on their part.

You should not be in the position where people rely on you for shelter.

Oh ffs, she's not a charity!! These people are responsible for their own shelter. They are paying well under the market rate for this house that happens to belong to the OP. They should damn well look after it and pay the rent on time.