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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my landlord is taking the piss?

55 replies

ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 19:14

We came home from holiday today to a letter from the letting agent saying that the landlord had contacted them and asked them to write to us to make sure we are maintaining the garden well.

So they are now asking us to send a photo of our garden to show the landlord.

I'm actually really angry about this, we have lived here for less than 2 months, and I feel that it's really intrusive. We will likely do it, but isn't it really cheeky for them to ask us to do this? I've rented for 21 years and this is a new one on me!

OP posts:
BabsGanoush · 05/08/2017 19:17

Is this the letting agent pulling a fast one because they can't be bothered to come and have a look themselves.

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 19:21

Maybe. I've met the landlady once and can quite imagine that she would ask for a photo though. They're definitely landlords through situation rather than choice so don't know how experienced they are.
It's not normal though is it!

OP posts:
Toysaurus · 05/08/2017 19:22

I actually would have sent a photo of something by Capability Brown to show them what I thought of this request.

BishopBrennansArse · 05/08/2017 19:24

Here you go, OP

To think my landlord is taking the piss?
Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 19:24

Now there's an idea!!
DH thinks we should send a close up shot of the freshly cut grass...I'm tempted.

OP posts:
scaryteacher · 05/08/2017 19:25

My landlady emails to remind me that the hedges need cutting. Given that we own a house, are landlords ourselves, but are working abroad, as are our landlords, this annoys me a bit. I took to sending her photos and telling her when we'd had the gardeners in, and she stopped.

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 19:26

The funny thing is, it's a really small garden. The only thing to do really is weed and cut the tiny little lawn. What the fuck do they want from me?

OP posts:
Alpacaandgo · 05/08/2017 19:35

It might be the agent more than the landlord. My landlord right now is absolutely fine. The agents are total arse holes however. They did an inspection after 2 months regardless of the fact the landlord had been over painting the exterior windows the week before and had been in for coffee. He was quite perplexed when I spoke to him. Could that be it?

StatisticallyChallenged · 05/08/2017 19:35

I'm afraid I'd take the piss with incredibly detailed photos - cut the grass and then put a ruler next to it to show the height, close up of gaps in the path to show the absence of weeds...

They'd never ask me for garden photos again!

Original poster
ThatIsNachoCheese · 05/08/2017 19:40

It's definitely the landlords, I met them for the first time the other week and they asked me if I liked gardening and told me it was a nice weekend for it. I thought it was a nice weekend for not gardening after that comment...
I think I may have to go with your suggestion statistically.
Thankfully we aren't here for long, I couldn't cope with this shit long-term.

OP posts:
Maidofastolat30744 · 05/08/2017 19:44

Years ago we had the agents visit us the day after we had returned from a 3 week holiday (those were the days!)

We explained we were just back and would be cutting the grass at the weekend once we had got ourselves sorted.

They then wrote to us to say they had been to see the house and were concerned the grass needed cutting...

Needless to say they got a phone call telling them what I thought in no uncertain terms. They never visited again until we moved out to do the house check, which they messed up too.

Sounds to me like the estate agents are doing this.

Supermagicsmile · 05/08/2017 19:52

YANBU! Text a pic of the glass and ignore any future texts.

Maelstrop · 05/08/2017 19:54

Took me three calls/emails to stop the bloody agent demanding to do a property visit and then they threatened to go round using their own key if the tenants were out! I was fuming and I've finally told the agent to do one.

I couldn't care less if the grass is a foot long, mine is!

ivykaty44 · 05/08/2017 20:00

Send them this

Dear estate agent

Thank you for your kind note, but I feel a photograph just wouldn't do the garden justice. Therefore I'm inviting you to visit us at a prearranged time to suit both parties.

I shall try to make sure there is sun, will definitely provide hot beverages and maybe a few biscuits.

You will be of course welcome to use your own camera with whichever lense you feel suitable, to take your own garden photographs.
Kind regards

Chees

Trb17 · 05/08/2017 20:03

I'd spam them with garden pics if every angle and minute detail. They'll think twice next time.

CremeFresh · 05/08/2017 20:04

Send them this and say they're welcome to come round and take cuttings of your carefully cultivated plants .

Guepe · 05/08/2017 20:04

A couple of years ago when I returned from a long holiday (a 40 hour journey and couldn't wait to go to bed) my landlord had let himself in, rummaged through my stuff (so he could fix a cupboard), had been doing various works (so there was rubble and compost in the kitchen), had been cooking for himself (using my food) and had used the shower.

And he was still better than my subsequent landlords...

Not sure if that's relevant to the thread but wanted to vent Grin

ivykaty44 · 05/08/2017 20:05

Just remember. - the estate agent is paid for their time (whether it be the agent or LL asking for the photographs) you are not paid by the agent ,- let them earn their own money

Roomster101 · 05/08/2017 20:07

I'd invite them to visit. That will inconvenience them and perhaps put them off asking for pictures again.

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/08/2017 20:09

Tell the agent to book an inspection. I wouldn't start putting up with these demands as they may never end. If the ll wants to see, they can either view themselves or pay for an inspection.

thepumpk1neater · 05/08/2017 20:16

What cheek!

The son of the landlord, while we were on summer break from university, had been staying in my room and watching my TV. My boyfriend, who was staying in the area, popped round to get something for me and discovered him. Apparently because we weren't paying full rent in the holidays (it may have been half, I can't remember now) they felt they could do what they liked.

Another student landlord sat and counted teaspoons, and other crockery, in front of us. We'd packed it all away as we'd decided it was so grotty, so it hadn't been touched since start of year.
Horrible.

horsefeathers · 05/08/2017 20:18

Ugh, nothing worse than a landlord who doesn't really want to be letting the property and continually frets about whether you're treasuring their precious home properly. On the other hand, sending a photo is less faff than having the buggers round for an inspection.

Does your tenancy agreement specify how often they can inspect? I'd be willing to send a photo on one occasion, and if they ask again start making noises about your quiet enjoyment of the property. If you're not damaging anything, they don't get to be controlling about exactly which weekend you choose to cut the bloody grass.

DeadDoorpost · 05/08/2017 20:19

Our landlord always checked up on us as well. Because it was part of our contract, we had to keep it in check (we did anyway but apparently didn't do it as often as he wanted us to). I'd send a close-up and a regular one just so you don't piss them off.

MeanAger · 05/08/2017 20:20

I would completely ignore that letter. Unless you agreed to provide monthly photo evidence of the state of the garden you don't have to do sod all. If you agree to this the next thing they'll want is photos of the inside of the house. bollocks to that. The agent can call round and take a photo of the garden from the street if they want. They don't need you to do anything.

Libitina · 05/08/2017 20:22

Sent them this photo and say it's all coming along nicely thanks and did they want to buy some?

To think my landlord is taking the piss?
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