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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would a fussy landlord put you off renting somewhere?

118 replies

mondaze10 · 02/10/2018 08:52

I'm in love with a house and we're currently waiting for the landlord to 'approve' us. It's a one off house that most people wouldn't ever get a chance to live in, it's absolutely stunning and I feel lucky to even be able to 'apply' so to speak.

Anyway, the landlords are very particular and I don't know if it's worth it...

They vet who can live there (standard procedure but turn down a lot of people like they turned down a family that they thought the children would be too 'playful' with footballs etc). They live up the lane behind the house so not far from the back garden. The agent has hinted that it's all very community so it seems as though they wouldn't be your normal 'silent' landlords but ones that would very much want to know you, and they'd have to drive past the house everytime they left their own house.

Would that put you off?

OP posts:
WhenISnappedAndFarted · 02/10/2018 09:27

Yes it was, my landlord lived across the road from me and he kept on entering the property without my permission or knowledge. Once when I was coming out the shower and he was stood in the kitchen.

He was also an absolute nightmare.

kaldefotter · 02/10/2018 09:29

I rented a property where the landlord lived next door. Theoretically, I dealt with the agency, so I thought it would be okay. No. If I ever called the agency about an issue, the landlord appeared on the doorstep to do a bodge-it "fix". Never, ever again.

dueanotherchange · 02/10/2018 09:32

Will they be managing the property or an agent? If there was an agent as a go-between, I think I'd be ok with it.

Feelings · 02/10/2018 09:32

But once you're in it what can they really do or say? As long as you're paying the rent on time and you're not destroying the property they can't force you out the house.

Talith · 02/10/2018 09:33

Hell yes it would put me off. I lived in a property where the landlords best mate lived upstairs and she watched me like a hawk, reporting every minor transgression back to base.

Original poster
mondaze10 · 02/10/2018 09:34

Snow White - I'm reading that at the moment!

OP posts:
MumOfTwoMasterOfNone · 02/10/2018 09:35

We had this in a holiday home for one week and that was bad enough (we didn't know when we booked it). I certainly would not do this long term.

dangermouseisace · 02/10/2018 09:37

Yes it would put me off- I had one like that.

It was always stressed it was his house, not my home and if things weren’t done a particular way he’d get annoyed. Eg I got rid of all the black mildew round the stone window frames (tons, took ages) but he would complain if the grass was what he considered slightly too long.

I was evicted in the end, despite doing nothing wrong.

keepingbees · 02/10/2018 09:40

I would meet them to allow the 'vetting' to work both ways. On one hand, it's natural if they have a lovely property to be fussy and cautious over who rents it. On the other hand, they could be a total pain in the ass. Don't forget they will also have your deposit, so if they are precious over every little thing in the house you might not get it back!

If you are only looking to stay about a year or so I suppose that's better than if you wanted somewhere long term. But I think you need to judge it on the kind of people they seem to be.

starfishmummy · 02/10/2018 09:42

Have had over invested landlords in the past and they didnt even live nearby. So it would need to be a very exceptional property for me...

Original poster
mondaze10 · 02/10/2018 09:42

Minnie - cash isn't an issue we have a huge deposit - my DP has credit issues due to mortgage problems caused by his ex when they split :(

OP posts:
Gardai · 02/10/2018 09:43

There’s a beautiful gothic style refurbed gate lodge near where I live, like fairytale style, yet every year it’s up for rent. No one lasts longer than a year.
I have deduced it’s something to do with the owner Smile

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 02/10/2018 09:44

It would put me off massively, but it’s the price of living in a historic property. If you are confident can live up to their standards it could be a wonderful experience but don’t do it otherwise.

FrenchHen · 02/10/2018 09:45

@SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace Ha! I thought exactly the same thing!

OP - you need to read that book!

Original poster
mondaze10 · 02/10/2018 09:45

Gardai - that sounds similar to this it's very much a fairytale/movie house but I just can't figure out if it's worth it

OP posts:
Original poster
mondaze10 · 02/10/2018 09:46

FrenchHen - I'm about 1/4 in!

OP posts:
Gabilan · 02/10/2018 09:48

They live up the lane behind the house so not far from the back garden. The agent has hinted that it's all very community so it seems as though they wouldn't be your normal 'silent' landlords but ones that would very much want to know you, and they'd have to drive past the house everytime they left their own house

No, absolutely not. I once lived in a property the landlords were planning to retire into. They were an utter fucking nightmare and the reason I moved. They could not get the point that it was my home and wanted to invite their friends over for a look round, repeatedly. This is not reasonable access, nor quiet enjoyment. It never, ever felt like my home, it always felt as if I was lodging in their place.

The only thing is, in your case you are only planning to be there a relatively short time. So if it is lovely it might be worth at least meeting them and seeing how you get on. I wouldn't worry too much about the deposit. Make sure you get a good inventory, take photos when you move in and when you move out. Otherwise the deposit will be with a deposit protection scheme and they need to prove you shouldn't have it back, not vice versa.

SD1978 · 02/10/2018 09:53

How long did the previous tenants stay? I've lived on the same block as the land lord- didn't bother me. How long is the initial lease for? Personally, wouldn't bother me. And if it bothers you, you could always look to move again at the end of the initial lease period.

Roomba · 02/10/2018 09:59

It would put me right off tbh. I had to rent a house where the landlord lived just up the road and had to walk past our home to get to her car (small village, she had a massive 4x4 that didn't fit up the lane to their house! No choice over house as my insurers who were paying rent had a deal with the letting agents).

I had the landlady bollocking me in the local Spar shop because she'd seen that I left some dirty pots in the sink all day once - she'd have to have her nose pressed right up to the window to spot that! Five minute rant about how she worked too but 'I still do all my own cleaning'. Never again!

53rdWay · 02/10/2018 10:01

My over-involved “we love to be friends with our tenants!” landlords were a nightmare. Let themselves in whenever they liked, insisted rooms laid out as they preferred, lost it with us at one point because the bedding didn’t match the wallpaper.

So I would generally run a mile. But... if it’s a really REALLY lovely house and you know that you’ll only be staying there a short time anyway, might be worth putting up with it as the price of the house. I would go in with eyes wide open though, if the letting agents picked up on it enough to warn you.

Cindersdonegood · 02/10/2018 10:02

See if you can find out who lived there before you. Is it a village? Are there neighbours you could chat to? There are two ways to find out what kind of LLs they are. Speak to someone who was their tenant or bite the bullet and give it a shot yourself.
I had a cottage on the same grounds that the LLs lived. Other than a friendly wave, chat or popping parcels in we barely interacted with them. It was nice. We could speak to them about issues but for the most part they left us alone. Hopefully it's the same for your dream rental here.

chatwoo · 02/10/2018 10:02

I would definitely be wary in your position.

Depends on how much you love the house, but are they going to end being all 'oh, we just walked by and noticed...', or ringing on the door 'just to check...'.

OutPinked · 02/10/2018 10:03

Yes that would put me off. I couldnt stand them living around the corner at all. They will be keeping an eye on the property and you’ll never be able to relax. Forget letting the lawn grow out occasionally when you’re busy, they’ll be round telling you it’s half an inch higher than they’d like it.

No way, no how would I be living there.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 02/10/2018 10:06

I'd hate it, I couldn't bear the control over me. Although in turn I'm quite fussy- I'd be a bad landlady if I wasn't careful!!

CookieDoughKid · 02/10/2018 10:07

I would want to establish clear boundaries and expectations up front. Rules as well. And clear means of communication. Only then you can make a proper evaluation

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