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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect my tenants to understand?

354 replies

Littleelffriend · 24/10/2017 18:45

I own a flat which I rent out. I wanted to sell it but no takers so I’m stuck . The rent doesn’t cover the mortgage but better than nothing. I got new tenants 5 months ago, lovely couple no issues.
Since they moved in there have been numerous problems. The roof started leaking, I got it fixed within 3 days. The cooker broke, I ordered them a new one straight away. They blocked the toilet with wipes, I paid for an emergency plumber the same day.
They called Friday and said they had no heating or hot water. I had an engineer out within 2 hours. He said he had to order a part which would be here today. It’s the wrong part, and it won’t be fixed until Friday now so a week of no heating or hot water. Totally shit, no argument from me. But my tenants are now being crap about it, going on about how frustrating it is. I know it’s frustrating, but these things happen and I’ve done my best. Aibu to wish they would be a bit more understanding?

OP posts:
manicmij · 25/10/2017 23:25

Provided you offered temporary form of heating and as the engineer mucked up following your speedy action for repair I would consider your tenants have been treated fairly. What do they expect, a repair to happen instantly. A lot of folk have to cope with those kind of circumstances whether rented or not. It's life.

Baaba · 26/10/2017 00:15

grannysmiff

You should have made sure your flat was flawless before renting it out

Because you would know in advance that these things happen? Op would have anticipated tenants to be stupid enough to flush wiped down the toilet and block it?! Yes tenants have rights but as a landlord you have no legal obligation to put them up elsewhere. If this happened to you in your own home what would you do, check into an Airbnb? No you'd deal with it!!

JonSnowsWife · 26/10/2017 07:04

Because you would know in advance that these things happen? Op would have anticipated tenants to be stupid enough to flush wiped down the toilet and block it?!

No of course you wouldn't anticipate tenants to be stupid enough to block it.

But you absolutely should anticipate things like a boiler breaking, that's why there's such a thing called Insurance. Because it's actually not that unusual an occurrence.

JonSnowsWife · 26/10/2017 07:06

@mustbemad17 have you been without since last Thursday? Flowers

StealthPolarBear · 26/10/2017 07:09

We were without heating and hot water last week. House got down to 13 degrees

Shortstuff82 · 26/10/2017 07:29

Least you tried to get it sorted at your earliest convenience my landlords plumber condemned my boiler and was left with no heat or hot water for 3 months when I asked him to reduce the rent he laughed at me ... then replied I still have a mortgage to pay I have 5 girls and a clean freak partner it was horrendous he did however supply me with a plug in rad that cost a fortune to run and in the past offered me his old leaky conservatory as he was getting a new one I told him why the hell would you want to put it on this house if it leaks ... dumb ass !! He is an absolute nightmare so if you were my landlord I would be very happy that you are so prompt in fixing things I could go on an on about mine an the list of repairs that still need doing after 8 years and still waiting haha

Ginseng1 · 26/10/2017 08:34

I think you doing v best you can op what more do people expect you cant conjure up a boiler repair company out of thin air?!

StealthPolarBear · 26/10/2017 08:41

Other boiler repair companies do presumably exist in the normal air

KevinSpacey · 26/10/2017 09:58

JonSnowsWife

Nope, we were tenants when we had no heating or hot water for six months. This was years ago so I can't remember the details but we were pretty young and naive and made do without. It was the first flat we ever rented so we had no idea how these things went! Funnily enough, I still seem to remember our landlord as quite a nice guy. Grin Clearly enough time has passed!

PenelopeFlintstone · 26/10/2017 10:01

But you absolutely should anticipate things like a boiler breaking, that's why there's such a thing called Insurance. Because it's actually not that unusual an occurrence.
The OP didn't need insurance. She had enough money! Money isn't the issue.

Creambun2 · 26/10/2017 10:09

The worst exploiters of tenants are midde class "accidental" landlords.

JonSnowsWife · 26/10/2017 10:26

Completely agree @creambun2

brasty · 26/10/2017 12:13

I think if you have done what you would do if your own boiler broke down, fine. So if my own boiler broke down, I would see if someone else could fix it sooner. If not, then I would use plug in heaters.

JosieJasper · 26/10/2017 12:15

I think some of you are being harsh on OP. The delay is not down to her lack of action but a cock up by the gas company so what can she do other than apologise and give them a couple of heaters to use (oil filled probably better as fan heaters eat the electricity!!) The tenants will have to do what we all have to do if we're let down by trades affecting hot water and boil a kettle to have a strip wash. I would mention the wipes thing too as surely EVERYONE knows they don't flush.....as it's not their toilet maybe they didn't care....but I'm not going to assume that and will also entertain the idea that it could have been a genuine mistake on their part.

Willow2017 · 26/10/2017 13:51

Nobody is exploiting these tennants!

Op fixed the toilet issue (and should have charged tennants for it) and had someone to the boiler in 2 hours. Its not het fault the wrong part was sent.

ToEarlyForDecorations · 26/10/2017 13:59

To bad the counterpoint thread got deleted as a TAAT.

MummysBusy · 26/10/2017 19:43

A week without heating or water in cold weather and I'd expect to be given some type of temporary measures (can you get little generators?). At the very least, a deal with the neighbours so we could use the shower. Probably sounds harsh, but as a renter I expect my landlord to be solvent and attentive. I've had landlord with financial problems and it's incredibly stressful.

We also got put up in a hotel when we were a student because of pest problems, so I think you could probably do more for them.

Willow2017 · 26/10/2017 21:42

Mummy
Op has offered heaters but tennants said they didnt need them as it wasnt cold enough so not ops fault they have no heating.

Its not much trouble to heat water on a cooker to wash in

Op can hardly go knocking on random neighbours doors to ask if her tennants can use thier shower. They might not even know them nor want people traipsing into their house when they are relaxing at night.

Fantasticmissfoxy · 26/10/2017 21:55
  1. You should have billed them for the toilet issue.
  1. Make sure they have some heaters (plug in / oil fillled) and possibly an electric blanket
  1. Tell them you appreciate their patience in getting the boiler fixed, acknowledge it is frustrating, and give them a 50% rent reduction for the period the boiler is out of commission.

These things happen, it's not personal, and has to be a bit of give and take on both sides.

Fantasticmissfoxy · 26/10/2017 22:13

Sorry missed that you had already offered heaters. In that case see 1. And 3. 😂

Dailystuck71 · 27/10/2017 07:44

But you absolutely should anticipate things like a boiler breaking, that's why there's such a thing called Insurance. Because it's actually not that unusual an occurrence.

Even with insurance there is no guarantee it would have been fixed any quicker. What a stupid comment.

DopeyDazy · 27/10/2017 12:21

there is insurance and insurance. our tenants is with the boiler manufacturer Potterton and they come out next day with enough of the right parts to rebuild the boiler if necessary. They will attend on a Saturday so you would never be without it for long

scaryteacher · 27/10/2017 12:42

The worst exploiters of tenants are midde class "accidental" landlords

As a middle class accidental landlord whose shit hot letting agent even gets someone out to reset the range after a power cut (because the tenants can't read the instructions on the inside of the door, that even I can follow), I object to that.

As an accidental landlord, there is an alternative hot water source in the form of an immersion should the range (boiler) pack up; a spare induction hob if the range stops working (as it's only 3 years old, it shouldn't) and a woodburning stove as an alternative source of heat. If you crank that up you can boil a kettle and fry an egg in a pan on the top.

specialsubject · 27/10/2017 14:29

While there is no such thing as an accidental landlord, that is a fuckwitted statement even for mn.

Grenfell tower?

Nakedavenger74 · 28/10/2017 08:30

When you are paying a lot of money as a tenant it can be really galling when basic services don't work. One or two days is fine. Parts missing etc, I totally understand. But please have the good grace as a landlord to apologise profusely and keep the tenant up to date. Try to understand that it's simply not their problem, it could be having a huge impact on their life and do everything in your ability to sort it out.

Whoever has said 'how difficult is it to boil some pans to wash in the morning'. Really?! How lovely to have to wake up 45 minutes earlier than you already do (5.30am) to boil bloody water to have a chilly pot wash. I have to wash my hair every day or I look like a goblin. Not good look in professional roles and I wouldn't relish doing it with a bunch of pans for a day never mind a week.

I'd expect my landlord to be moving heaven and earth to make sure I had suitable alternatives, checking I have facilities at work or gym or if not paying for a temp gym membership or at least a reduction in rent.

At the end of the day I am paying £3000 a month to pay for your asset. At least make the water run hot. If it doesn't, feel suitability embarrassed and sort it. Maybe a bottle of wine to apologise.

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