TRying to sell the house with tenants in - undisclosed dog

[Newbrummie]

So had a viewing at the house yesterday and the patio was covered in dog shit, as was the garden. I figured it would take a few months to sell so was happy for them to stay whilst it was on the market. Am now starting to think this is going to be impossible isn't it ?
Can I afl them to remove the dog for the rest of the tenancy ?

[MadisonMontgomery]

I'm really surprised at some of the comments here - are tenants really heartbroken if the LL has to sell the house? If you rent then it isn't really your home so would you be that attached instead of just moving elsewhere?

[Trainspotting1984]

I don't blame you at all (although the crap in their garden is neither here nor there- being a tenant doesn't bring with it any basic hygiene standards you must adhere to)

[Trainspotting1984]

Oh I don't know Madison.... Could it be the finding thousands of pounds cash it costs to move house? Yep that's probably it

[Newbrummie]

I guess if that's how they want to live it's up to them but yuk

[RortyCrankle]

OP if you have been on MN any length of time at all you will know that according to a lot of people on here, all landlords are evil monsters who deserve any misfortune that comes their way. If it wasn't for all the nasty LL's buying homes to rent, the renters would be able to buy them instead.... oh, wait, except of course they can't because they don't have a deposit to put down on a house, duh.

It's unfortunate you didn't include a no pets clause in the contract but I don't honestly think you can ask them to rehome the dog. However surely it's within your rights to tell them to clean up the dog crap. It's disgusting.

I wish you luck selling.

[Newbrummie]

They did always know the house was going to be sold, they actually were hoping to buy it but it didn't work out for them. None of this has been sprung on them btw

[user1477282676]

Madison Are you being serious? Of course they're bloody heartbroken! You get attached, your DC make friends, they attend local schools....it's terribly upsetting! No control...made to move.

When you rent, it's understood that it MIGHT happen but you pray it won;t. Not everyone can afford to buy a house you know.

And then when you are told they're selling, you have the nightmare of trying to find a new place and all the costs which go along that.

You don't get your deposit back in time to use it on another place...so need to save/beg/borrow to get another one.

[Newbrummie]

Well if they aren't arseholes I will give them their deposit back in good time and a reference. That is the way to part company not all the other stuff suggested. I rent, we all know the score.

[Frillyhorseyknickers]

Who has drawn up the tenancy agreement - is it a standard AST? Did an agency do it?

Go through it, there are very standard clauses regarding maintaining gardens, property, cleaning etc etc. Find the exact clauses and write to them enforcing them with relation to shit in the garden - give them a deadline to do it by. If you have protected their deposit properly you will be able to threaten cleaning fees deducted from the deposit for the dog shit.

I can only imagine that the posters berating to OP don't own their own property. When you pay hundreds of thousands of pounds to own property, it's really annoying people don't look after it. If you are a tenant on a standard AST, oh will always have to be prepared for your notice, especially if you keep someone else's property covered in shit.

[Trainspotting1984]

You'd be stupid to do that brummie. They could take the deposit then trash the house or refuse to move

[lalalalyra]

If you rent then it isn't really your home

Yes it is. It's not a tenants house, but it is their home.

Its not always as simple as "just move elsewhere" - have you seen the costs associated with moving then someone rents? I've just lent my BIL the best part of £600 for references and fees for his move - something he had to pay before he gets his deposit back from his current LL. He's had to save two months rent as well.


OP - you are mad trying to sell with bankrupt tenants in situ. Especially if you know they are going to struggle to find somewhere else. A) They may try and put people off buying to extend their stay in your house and B) if they (and their parents) decide that the best way out of their situation is social housing they may choose to stay until they are evicted. Even if you charge their guarantor the legal fees that you are allowed (which isn't all of them) it may still work out better for them long term to secure social housing and pay back the parents.

That's what happened to me with my tenants. They realised that even if I billed the costs that I could the lower rent and more security (and less admin fees and agency fees with every move) would pay for itself in 3/4 years.

[Newbrummie]

Trainspotting1984 they honestly aren't the trash the place type. I was going to do the bank transfer as they leave and the locks are changed though

[Foureyesarebetterthantwo]

I'm really surprised at some of the comments here - are tenants really heartbroken if the LL has to sell the house? If you rent then it isn't really your home so would you be that attached instead of just moving elsewhere?

Can't believe this stupid comment. We rent a house and it's our home, where we live, we like stability, we have friends and family and schools all arranged around it, of course people renting get attached to their surroundings, you know, just like buyers do too.

[Roomster101]

I think that it would be best just to give them notice and put the house up for sale after they have gone. You can't insist that they allow viewing or that the tidy/clean for viewing including dog shit. It will sell more quickly and probably for more money if you don't have tenants as it is bound to put many potential buyers off.

[Trainspotting1984]

You can't enforce those clauses frilly. OP can give them their 2 month
Notice though, she doesn't need a reason

And yes I am a homeowner and have been both tenant and landlord. You rent your house out you hope for the best but you need to expect your house being trashed/ rent but being paid. That's what being a landlord is about

[LouBlue1507]

Newbrummie Who the fudge do you think you are? You can't with hold someone's deposit just because you feel like it because they're 'arseholes'! Is it in a deposit scheme? They can refer it up to the scheme who will sort it out.
I hope you haven't and they sue your arse

[EdenX]

You were the one that said they won't be able to get another tenancy OP. If that's the case they will have to stay put until evicted or they will have made themselves homeless.

[Libitina]

OP, you didn't answer the question of if the deposit is in a protected scheme? Is it?

[gunting]

I rent and although I think you've been a bit naive with the contract and eviction process, OP, I absolutely wouldn't have a dog in a rented home without mentioning it to the landlord. I contact mine when I put a picture up on the wall, let alone a dog!

[Newbrummie]

LouBlue1507 I didn't say I would hold their deposit if they were arseholes, if they damage the property or don't pay rent then their home owning parents will be the ones having their arses sued. Why whip yourself into such a frenzy ? I just want to sell my house ffs

[PixieMiss]

It definitely isn't in the DPS...

[Newbrummie]

EdenX who knows, hopefully there's another me out there that'll help them out

[Newbrummie]

PixieMiss Actually it is

[RayofFuckingSunshine]

Newbrummie - Can I just ask, the deposit is protected isn't it? As if it's not, this is all irrelevant anyway as a section 21 notice is invalid and there is a heck of a find to pay to the tenants (which they will be advised about).

[PixieMiss]

So how do you think you'll transfer it back? That isn't your concern. Neither is witholding it if they are "arseholes". The DPS was created so petty people like you DON'T screw tenants this way.