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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Advice for a new landlord, compensation

45 replies

missoj · 10/09/2017 17:04

Can I ask for advice from landlords and tenants?

The door lock broke in my old flat that I rent out, meaning the tenants had to miss half a day of work waiting for the locksmith to come. The lock was fixed quickly so that's not the problem. The tenant had asked for £200 compensation for the time missed from work, and wrote a threatening email saying 'I know my rights'. I can't find any legal advice or recommendations online for what to do. If they weren't so rude I probably would have just said yes! Worried that I will set a precedent and get walked over. Does anyone have any advice? Many Thanks!

OP posts:

wowfudge · 10/09/2017 18:36

If this had happened in a home they owned themselves they would have had to wait in for the locksmith. This is no different, it was resolved quickly. They are trying it on and can take a running jump, though you may want to put it more politely . What does the tenancy agreement say? Refer to that and leave it there.

chickenowner · 10/09/2017 18:54

Experienced landlord here.

Get them out as soon as is legally possible. How long is their tenancy? Hopefully it's 6 months so you can serve a section 21 notice 2 months before.

They sound like previous tenants I've suffered who complained constantly, broke things and expected me to pay for repairs, and then stopped paying their rent.

Get rid of them!

Urubu · 10/09/2017 19:18

No way. Do you think they ask the same from big companies when they have to wait for an electricity/broadband supplier? They are just trying their luck with you.

SnowBallsAreHere · 10/09/2017 19:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

19lottie82 · 10/09/2017 19:28

Don't entertain their nonsense.
Everyone has to deal with household issues and wait in for tradesmen ect now and again. It's not your fault, so you're not responsible.

They obviously don't "know their rights".

notanotherNC · 10/09/2017 19:39

Loads of people earn that sort of money! My husband is a contractor and earns £500 a day, it is very common! I don't think you should have to pay out though, but I am not so sure why people are so shocked people earn that sort of money.

Glumglowworm · 10/09/2017 19:42

I'm a renter and I would expect the letting agent to sort repairs and access, but I'm not precious about insisting on being there while work is done. The letting agency should be the ones to let workmen in unless the tennant insists on being there in which case they do it but it's their choice so wouldn't expect any compensation for it.

Cheby · 10/09/2017 19:46

I'm the first to call out unscrupulous landlords but these tenants are taking the piss. I've rented loads of places over a couple of decades and stuff like this happens occasionally. Boilers have broken, work has needed doing. If it's a choice between getting it done quickly and rearranging my schedule or itvtaking longer, I'd choose the former every time.

I've asked for compensation (i.e. A rent reduction) when we have been without heating and hot water for weeks and when we have been forced to live in a building site, but staying in for the locks to be changed is just one of those things that needs dealing with.

Sorry to say I would also not renew their tenancy next time.

Original poster

missoj · 11/09/2017 09:53

Thank you everyone for your messages! It's really helped me. I felt the situation wasn't quite right and you gave me the confidence to challenge the agent and the tenant! 💪🏻 I wrote an email back full of the questions and advice from you all and am waiting for feed back. It's a slow reply I notice, usually they are quick 😜

OP posts:

BlackStars · 11/09/2017 10:47

Probably because they expect someone who earns that much to have a mortgage (i know some people chose t rent regardless)

TimingIsEverything · 11/09/2017 12:04

Good for you op. Good luck!

Motoko · 11/09/2017 13:00

OP, if you don't know what rights tenants have, I suggest you have a look on the Shelter website. As a landlord, even if you use a letting agent, it is your responsibility to understand yours and the tenants rights.

As an example, if your tenants paid a deposit to the letting agents, but the LA didn't pay it into a protection scheme, the tenants could take YOU (not the LA) to court, and you could be fined a penalty of up to 3 x the deposit.

So, it's in your best interests to understand the rules and regulations, even if you do use an agent.

These do sound like difficult tenants, so I agree about serving an S21 two months before the end of the term.

5rivers7hills · 11/09/2017 13:06

Don't entertain their nonsense.
Everyone has to deal with household issues and wait in for tradesmen ect now and again. It's not your fault, so you're not responsible.

Actually the tenants do not have any responsibility to wait in for tradespeople. The letting agent should have tradespeople who come and pick up keys, or agents meet them at the property.

Unless the tenants want to be there to supervise.

Probably because they expect someone who earns that much to have a mortgage

God some people are so thick and unimaginative.

wowfudge · 11/09/2017 13:06

I wonder if the tenants think they might end up with the bill for sorting out the lock and have therefore put their twopenneth in first. Whatever the reason, I wouldn't entertain it.

alreadytaken · 11/09/2017 13:19

some landlords would argue that the tenants broke the lock and they should pay the cost of a new lock and locksmith.

I think this is time for one of the MN classics - No is a complete sentence.

Tenants are not obliged to let workmen in but i they dont do so repairs can take longer. Unless they were trapped in the property you owe them nothing - and even if they were you wouldnt owe them loss of earnings unless you had been warned the lock was faulty and had taken no action.

Join a landlords association and get some training.

Ninabean17 · 11/09/2017 13:31

Don't pay them a penny, op. Have you heard back from anyone?

TabbyCatPaws · 11/09/2017 13:43

Sounds ridiculous. The lock was fixed quickly, they could have said that they wanted the agent to be there but presumably they didn't. I would avoid much conversation with them OP and if this is their attitude consider whether this is a relationship worth continuing

BlackStars · 11/09/2017 14:12

God some people are so thick and unimaginative.

and richer than you:)

AprilLady4 · 11/09/2017 19:36

Juicyfruitloop · 11/09/2017 22:28

I am a renter and I have had to schedule some shifts around repairs. I would never dream of expecting my landlord to reimburse me.

Especially with the huge demand on rented properties. Having a decent landlord that will fix things, is a blessing.

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