Frustrated with tenants?

[thankunextex]

I’m trying to view a house and the tenants have refused to let me view it both times. Appointments been booked in advance and then they say it’s not a good time an hour before.

I get it if you don’t want to actually leave the property (not sure if that’s the situation or not) but I’m just being messed around now.

@HarrysOwl

I really don't care if the lawn isn't mowed and the toilet seat is broken.

Re the above surely as a tenant if you rent a house with a garden you expect to have to cut the grass, and replace anything you break?

Imo the housing shortage will worsen as more landlords sell up due to the increased costs and legislation. I'm thinking of selling and buying a holiday let.

so when it comes to carpets and walls, tenants should be expected to be treated as differently as homeowners. When it comes to entering the property, they should however be treated just v the cssne

You’re not seeing the situation properly.

It’s a business to a LL. It’s a home to tenants. Because they’re paying, laws cover rights and responsibilities for both sides. It’s not about ‘treating the same’, it’s different. The law states tenants are entitled to quiet enjoyment and to be free from disruption. It is a home. It’s not the exact same as owning your own home and I don’t think anyone has suggested it is.

Nobody said a single thing about new carpets every year!! How often you replace them is largely up to you, but deposit schemes if used will not give you any deposit deductions if you haven’t replaced within a reasonable timeframe, it’s about expected life of a carpet. For decoration like painting etc then it’s every 6 years or no damage claim will be awarded. If the carpet is dangerous, then you would be required to.

You seem extremely resentful and I would hate to be your tenant! But I’d guess you’d have trouble finding them if you put your rent up way beyond market rates just because you chose to unnecessarily replace carpets every year. Your comments make absolutely no sense.

I don't think frequent new carpets are the norm in the rental sector TBH.

But it is the tenants home (as a few people have pointed out on here) so I expect (or wish) they'd treat it the way I treat my own home

But in your home, you can redecorate any time you want. You can put pictures and shelves up. You can replace a carpet if you burn it, or not as you choose. Tenants cant often.
Personally I would live with a burn mark in a bedroom for quite some time living room not so much. I also have lived with my hall requiring redecorating for two years now.

surely as a tenant if you rent a house with a garden you expect to have to cut the grass, and replace anything you break

Personally, my rentals were always left exactly as the day as I moved in. But I didn't have kids or pets. It's harder to keep a house damage free if you've got DC and accidents do happen.

As a landlord you really have to learn to let the small things go. It's not personal, you have to accept the risk and inevitable cost of repairs/damage. Tenants rarely maliciously cause damage. And if they do, well that's part and parcel of the risk of renting.

I calculate a percentage of the rent that's put aside for repairs, new carpets, paint, replacement smoke alarms, etc. I don't begrudge spending money on the properties - I install new Worcester boilers and make them as energy efficient as possible for their energy bills and electrics are upgraded to be certified safe. Modern kitchen/bathrooms and new carpets between long-term tenancies.

Because I respect my tenants and I genuinely care that they're happy, safe and warm in the property (like I want to be in mine) I feel I've always been given respect back. And the houses have been looked after.

Renting isn't 100 percent 'easy' profit, I think a lot of LL expect it to be.

If a tenant pays £750pcm and stays for 2 years, that's £18,000 received. Am I going to pursue them for a £25 loo seat or moan they haven't weeded? No. Especially if they paid on time, allowed inspections and, as I said, didn't burn the place down!

I wouldn't replace a carpet if there were a few small marks but if there are large stains or burns then I would.

@JessicaWakefieldSVH

As for it being a business to a LL I think the stats are approx. 60% of landlords are "accidental" so many are not renting out properties as a business. As stated earlier there are various reasons someone might need to rent their property out. I'm not running a business but I am fully aware of my responsibilities.

@HarrysOwl

I agree with what you've said, as I stated earlier I tend to just suck it up when it comes to the less than great condition my property has been left in. I'm just thankful if the house is in generally ok condition and that the tenants always paid the rent.

If anyone I know mentions keeping their current house as a btl when moving I always advise against it. Imo unless you have a large amount of savings (to cover voids and repairs) and would be clearing a large profit from the rent it's just not worth the hassle.

Totally agree if you’ve got a family sized home in a nice area that is in good condition it’s not worth the hassle at all.

We don’t always inherit gardens in good condition in our rentals, but regardless we always improve or upkeep it. It cost £350 to clear up a garden when we moved to a big nice property, it had never been loved and bamboo had spread inc into neighbours, and trees were well overgrown. I don’t get why you would rent a property with a garden, which costs more, and not maintain and use it.

If you want a house (not a flat), it nearly always comes with a garden.

We were advised that you choose to rent or sell, not both at the same time. It's hugely intrusive to the people living there, who will have a contractual right to quiet enjoyment of their home. So I would say the current owner is at fault.

Hi

I have not read all previous messages and I am not british-meaning I do not know the legal situation.

The thing ist- buying a house is usually the biggest expense of your life- so you have to see it before. I bought some properties and above I alwways asked for an expert's opinion on the property's condition because mistakes can drive you into bankruptcy.

So, if the tenants refuse to let you in, what can you do, what should you do???

I would ask myself if it is really the property I want to buy- or are there other houses????

If not- the tenants behaviour is not personal they will be that way to all viewers. So I would ask the seller for a huge discount, counting in all evil you could possibly discover in the house which would have to be fixed. Wet basement, spoilt floors usw usw usw. Do you have photos?

If you want to buy- your situation with these tenants is bad. But the owners position is worse…..Please let me know how you proceed… I love real estate stories