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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have a bad feeling about this LL?

24 replies

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 13:07

I’m moving house tomorrow. Whole house packed up. Removal lorry booked. I have to be out of my house by Tuesday. (My LL is moving in).

The house I’m moving into the current tenant was being let out of her lease early due to health reasons according to the agent. This didn’t initially raise any concerns with me. I called on Monday to confirm the agent had keys as she implied the tenant would mess them around and I needed to know if I could book the removal company. The agent said they had the keys but no inventory had been done as the LL had since changed their mind about buying the vertical blinds the tenant had installed. So they were waiting to get that resolved. The tenant has moved to another country and so was arranging for her sister to come and remove the blinds but can’t come until next week which the LL apparently said was fine (I will be living there next week!!) but the agent objected saying this can’t happen with a new tenant in the property so they need to be removed before I move in. There was also new vinyl flooring to be fitted in the kitchen as existing flooring has a massive tear in it. So I phoned today to confirm a time for signing contract and getting keys today. I’m going in an hour however no inventory has been done and no new flooring has been fitted, no reason given as to why but apparently it will be done when the LL gets back from the Dominican Republic in 10 days. so I have to move in and the move all my appliances and kitchen furniture again to have this fitted. But I have to say I’m not convinced it will actually be fitted.

I’ve had shitty LLs before and this is just all echoing their behaviours. I feel sick. I’m stuck. I have no choice but to sign this year long lease at 2pm as I have to be out of my current home.

OP posts:

SpamChaudFroid · 18/04/2019 13:13

I think I'd have reservations too. Can you get it in writing from the LL/agent that the flooring is to be replaced by such and such a date? re. the blinds, could the agent remove them?

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 13:19

I can certainly ask for that but they can say no and I still have no option but to move in. Will definitely be asking for it though.

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CuriousaboutSamphire · 18/04/2019 13:21

I'd have reservations too but actually that works in your favour! Apart from the fact thaat any damage you do between now and the inventory being completed will not be allocated to you - and the last tenant will also get a free pass - no independent clerk would touch that job, so it would be a Landlord Special - another plus point for you should you need to go to arbitration or court!

Check that there is a break clause in the lease, at 6 months. HAND WRITE ON THE LEASE that you are signing in anticipation of the floor being replaced, that will make it part of the contract.

Good luck!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 18/04/2019 13:23

DON'T ASK them to provide you with anything, just write it in there, directly above the place where you and the witness sign! It needs to be part of the AST, not an addendum, something they can forget about!

If they won't let you then you will know all you need to know about the landlord...

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 13:31

Thanks curious that is helpful.

I’m just worried about being stuck without a boiler or electric or something should the LL be permanently unavailable to authorise emergency repairs. I’ve lived like that before and it was awful.

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MRex · 18/04/2019 13:37

Can you put your stuff in storage and stay with a friend for a couple of weeks while you get somewhere else?

If you really can't then I would want to write on the lease that it is signed in anticipation of the floor, blinds and anything else, that you can unilaterally give 2 weeks notice if it isn't resolved by X date and will then move out with full refund of your deposit and remaining rent.

user1493413286 · 18/04/2019 13:40

Ask the agent what happens if the landlord is away for emergencies like that. Write on the contract what it said; in that situation we got an electrician out and deducted the money from our rent with a signed thing from the electrician stating it was an emergency

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 13:46

I’m taking note of all this. Thank you.

I don’t see why being in the DR is a barrier to getting flooring installed. It’s a phone call to local floor shop and tell them where to go to fit it. LL doesn’t need to be in the country to supervise as the agent has keys and has had them since Monday.

OP posts:

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 16:09

Urgh.

So the agent gave me some story about the LL not being sure if they wanted to put down vinyl or laminate. I said, well they’ve have loads of time to think about that and had the keys since Monday to do it. I asked the agent to phone the LL while I was there to get a date for the flooring. LL said they would get a man to phone me to arrange coming round to measure this afternoon, still waiting on phonecall. I wrote the part onto the contract about signing in anticipation of flirting being replaced by 30th of April. There is NO 6 month break clause so I’m there for a year. Agent says that’s standard. All my previous tenancies were 6 months AST. Went round to the property and there is a load of junk dumped in the back garden, dog shit everywhere and a bed left in one of the bedrooms. Wheelie bins jammed full of electrical stuff and other junk. Phoned the agent to say it needed lifted. Next thing LL is on the phone saying “what’s all this about junk? I was in the house and there was no junk” I had to send photos to prove it!!

This is not looking good.

OP posts:

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 16:11

Flooring! There’ll be no bloody flirting!

OP posts:

Shitonthebloodything · 18/04/2019 16:43

Whatever check out inventory was going to be done will be null and void as soon as you step through the door. That also means that you'll not have a starting inventory so they'll find it almost impossible to claim any damages from your deposit so more fool them.
Photograph absolutely everything. Doesn't look great but I'm hoping that it was just a tight turnaround time for the LL and they'll get their act together for you quickly.
Get some advice from Shelter re the condition you put on the contract and how that'll stand up. Best of luck OP.

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 16:53

I’m not convinced the condition I added will stand up at all. The agent was far too relaxed about me adding it. I actually said to her “so if that’s not done by the 30th that’s a breach of the contract and I will leave” and she said “yeah of course” but I wasn’t convinced she was actually concerned.

I’ve taken loads of photos.

OP posts:

MRex · 18/04/2019 19:23

I think you should look for a new place. No flooring reminders and just tell them on 30th that you're leaving. You're right that they're going to be a lot of hassle.

BycullahRoad · 18/04/2019 19:58

Good evening, this may be a little late for you, but for others in similar circumstances, do not sign the contract, do not pay any rent and do not move until your new property is entirely to your satisfaction.

Given the circumstances your existing landlord may be able to give you a little more time, but even if he can't, as long as you keep paying rent there is little he can do in the short term if you are making your best efforts to move somewhere else.

SpamChaudFroid · 18/04/2019 20:32

It wasn't Leaders EA was it? I only ask because they're nationwide and have a truly shocking reputation.

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 18/04/2019 21:54

No it’s just a local estate agents.

I’m so sodding angry. I’ve lived through all that shit before and my current LL is an absolute star. Fixes everything immediately, never any problems. Left me a moving in present when I moved in. I’m dreading having a shit landlord again. I spoke to my dad this evening and he said that as my mum has acted as guarantor if i leave the property on the 30th then they’ll just go after my mum for the rent for a year.

OP posts:

Segmentationfault · 19/04/2019 17:24

Shite landlords are a far too common problem.

Someoneonlyyouknow · 19/04/2019 17:39

Well the fact that the LL phoned you (from Dominican Republic) is a good sign! I don't know whether crap agents or crap LL is worse but both are a hassle. Just keep nagging until everything is done to your satisfaction. If necessary get advice from Shelter or CAB.

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 19/04/2019 20:26

Well I moved in and had a knock at the door this evening, it was the LL. so clearly not in the Dominican Republic as agent said! I’m guessing agent couldn’t be bothered trying to contact them about the flooring. LL has cleared all the crap from the garden and flooring man came this evening to measure up. I’m feeling a lot happier about this LL now having met her and she has done what she said she would.

OP posts:

Thehop · 19/04/2019 20:36

That’s promising! Hope you settle in quickly and no more run ins with crap agent.

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 19/04/2019 20:45

Thanks! Me too thehop!

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MRex · 20/04/2019 10:21

Thanks for sharing your good news, I hope the tenancy all goes well for you.

Wauden · 20/04/2019 10:41

So it's the agent who is the problem. Maybe tell the LL about all this, as I am guessing that she has a right to know. Then she can get another agent.

Original poster

ILoveMaxiBondi · 20/04/2019 13:36

Yes I think I will. It’s managed by the agent and they said to Call them if there are any problems, i’ll Give them a chance but I have her number now if the agents aren’t doing their jobs though.

MRex thank you.

OP posts:

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