To think the tenants are taking the mick?

[Horriblehistories]

We let a property, accidental landlords so not making any money out of it.

Before the property was let it had been completely renovated, including new kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring throughout, insulated, garden done, new boiler, fitted wardrobes all decorated neutral, you name it it had been done.

Managed to rent it out straight away at a competitive price, furthermore although it was rented as unfurnished, we gave the tenants several items of furniture including a brand new bed, fridge and washing machine, on the understanding that we weren't responsible for replacing them.

3 years on and not only have they broke the contract as we specified no pets, and it turns out they have several pets, we said non smokers but they are smokers, but never mind. On inspecting the house it is dirty and cluttered, they've painted walls they weren't supposed to and changed wardrobe doors. Ok, nothing that can't be put right.

Then they started demanding new flooring 1.5 years in because they said that the carpets were dirty and dusty. We said no, because the carpets were brand new when they moved in and it was their responsibility to keep them clean.

Then the fridge broke down and they demanded we repair it, dh tried to fix it but couldn't, it was in the contract that this wasn't our responsibility, they complained that they wanted a new one.

3 years on we've never increased the rent, but we have said we are now going to increase only by £10 a week, they are refusing to pay because of the carpets.

They are taking the piss right?

Get them out.

They are taking the piss. They have broken contract re pets and decorating I would serve notice to them. But be prepared to put up a fight to get them out

Serve notice, tell them wardrobes and walls to be put back to original colour, retain deposit to cover all cleaning etc required.

Sell up.

Why be accidental landlords?

Yep, give them notice. They have already caused significant damage to the property - I hope you have their deposit in the right place, as you'll probably have to retain a lot of it.

I lived in numerous rental properties before I bought my house, never once did it even occur to me to ask the LL to change carpets or fix things that weren't their responsibility. If the house is filthy and they've caused damage (pets and fags will do it) then I'd get them out asap.

Serve them notice. But properly, or you'll find like my mum that you have to take them to court. (their letting agent put the wrong date on the notice)

Put your hard hat on as well, because MN is full of NIMBY do-gooders who will descend like dementors saying "it's their home". Fuck that. It's yours.

I really want to sell now we are more in a position to do so. I think dh is worried about it sitting empty for a time and having to cover the mortgage on top of our living costs.

I've rented and it's never occurred to me either to ask the landlord to replace flooring either. I've never rented anywhere as nice as that house was.

And yes we did it all properly, through an agent and deposit in the deposit scheme.

Serve a notice, make sure you go over and over and the contract you and they signed to make sure you have played by the contract, try your best to 'right any wrongs' that are in the contract (e.g if they have asked for something to be done that is your responsibility then video/get evidence if you doing it/trying to do it)

Once they leave take them to court for damages, again make sure you can prove this with the contract

If they don't move out take them to court for both unpaid rent plus damages. Good luck, tenants like this have a reputation to drag on court proceeding for months and even years, draining the landlord/homeowner both financially and mentally x

I'm generally a NIMBY do-gooder/dementor who says 'it's their home.'

They are taking the piss.

We rented prior to buying last year. The place had threadbare carpets throughout and stripped boards in the sitting room. The LL would neither replace the carpets nor allow us to do so. He wouldn't let us put a carpet down in the freezing sitting room. The contract was unfurnished.

If you do sell, as it isn't your current address you have to give the taxman a large chunk of the money.

I may be incorrect, but I think it's around 50%

It's unearned income.

Yes, your tenant is taking the piss. Some do, I could write a book, but you will get "do gooders" on mn who hate landlords and think all tenants are angels.

They shouldn't have redecorated without your permission. And it's quite cheeky of them to ask for new flooring,. And having pets when not allowed. Who'd be a landlord. But if it's furnished aren't you responsible for items like a fridge. Not sure though. Do what's best for you as they haven't exactly been model tenants.

NIMBY is short for Not In My Back Yard, and is used to criticise people who don't want anything negative in their own neighbourhood, but who are happy to see such things happening further away. It's pretty much the opposite of a do-gooder so your post,perfume, makes no sense.

Yes, you are incorrect WindyWednesday.
You're talking about Capital Gains and it's nowhere near 50%.

LittleWitch - just curious, why didn't you put down rugs? Or have carpets that weren't fitted, that you could just take away with you? Or wouldn't the landlord allow that either?

(I'm a tenant with a landlord who allowed me to redecorate and paint throughout and put down new carpets, and hasn't turned a hair at my dogs and cats though, so I'm aware I'm very very lucky).

I'm also a soft touch but even I think you should give them notice.

If they have pets and they weren't supposed to then any damage done by the pets can be deducted from the deposit, it's a bigger problem for landlords who allow pets it can sometimes be classed as wear and tear. Same with smoking.

They can't demand new carpets after 3 years and should actually have the carpets cleaned professionally before they leave and again any damage beyond general wear and tear can be deducted from the deposit,

get rid now! If you tenancy agreement clearly stated what is yours and their responsibility then they shouldnt have any issues. i would say send a cleaner to do the carpets and add the cost to their rent. I'm sure theres something with the council or something that will help you if you dont get your rent payments, definitely look into that and definitely start looking for new tenants

It's rented as unfurnished Mary. The appliances were freestanding it stated in the contract we were only responsible for the oven and hob.

We stupidly thought they look after it all.

Jta, if you've got renter's insurance you might be able to get help with all this.

maolvitt to you know the correct amount of capital gains tax? my accountant said it was about 50%

Oh and you can deduct the cost of having the walls repainted from the deposit too. Basically anything which is not general wear and tear gets deducted, that's what deposits are for.