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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Think she's trying it on?

22 replies

nearlyfullycooked · 04/11/2019 21:52

So...tenants have been in flat for about 16 months. The fridge/freezer was bought new when they moved in. A year and a month after, they said the door was dodgy and looked likely to fall off. I promptly got an engineer out and then paid for another fallout/labour/parts visit. It was the world's most expensive hinge. I then received a text on Saturday afternoon saying the fridge door had fallen off and would I get it sorted by Monday. I told them that the shop was shut, but have emailed them and will chase up this morning when they open (which I did). The shop said that the engineer had put it down last time to tenant misuse and that if it was a faulty repair, then it would have fallen off sooner - ditto for a faulty fridge. I swallowed the cost again as I can't "prove" it was tenants.

I checked my balance today and only one of the tenants have paid. I sent a polite text to let them know and received this "We have a fridge full of gone off food and I’ve had to go to the doctors with my shoulder so have to take time off work as I can’t drive. So will total up how much that all comes to and get back to you! Many thanks." I think she's trying it on so am now tempted to bill or go halves on the cost. She's meant to pay by 4th of month, doesn't have a regular direct debit set up, so surely this payment should have already been made. In addition she did not pay a deposit and we came to an agreement recently that she would pay some of this each month - this hadn't been paid either. I think she's trying it on. Also, surely she should prewarn if rent will be late. I have a 5 day old baby, so can really do without feeling fucked off over this.

OP posts:
nearlyfullycooked · 04/11/2019 21:54

Sorry posted too soon. Would I also be unreasonable to cancel the next repair until rent is paid (have already paid shop).

OP posts:
PepsiLola · 04/11/2019 21:54

I would ask her to leave in all honesty!

Fool you not taking a deposit

PepsiLola · 04/11/2019 21:55

Can you get it in writing that the repairman said it was likely down to misuse?

Lockheart · 04/11/2019 21:57

You can't do tit for tat. You need to repair or replace the fridge, she needs to pay her rent (and pay you the deposit per her contract as a matter of urgency).

nearlyfullycooked · 04/11/2019 22:00

She's due to leave in December - think this may be a way of skipping rent. I know re deposit. They asked if I could hold off whilst they got their old deposit back. It dragged on until she said she wanted to stay there rent free (is on a reduced rent at moment as flat has since had subsidence). I said no to no rent, listed a number of concessions I had made, said she was welcome to move out and then pushed for the deposit.

OP posts:
Chloe84 · 04/11/2019 22:05

OMG get rid now, cheeky butch.

Lockheart · 04/11/2019 22:05

You should never have let her move in without a deposit. Have you been a landlord for very long?

Your insurance may cover your losses but without a deposit you have little recourse for both the fridge and the rent unless you want to pursue through small claims court.

As an aside, if your property has subsidence I'm not sure it should be being rented to anyone until you get that fixed...

earlymorningfog · 04/11/2019 22:09

@nearlyfullycooked YANBU, but good luck getting her out!

If you didn't take a deposit, I think it's more difficult to evict people when you don't take a deposit. I could be chatting shit though!

nearlyfullycooked · 04/11/2019 22:46

Any tips on wording the reply?

OP posts:
PepsiLola · 05/11/2019 07:55

I would state something like

With regards to you holding off rent payment, if rent is not received by X I will be seeking legal action and your contract will be terminated with immediate effect. Additionally I will not provide a reference at any request in the future.

Our repairman has stated that the fridge door repair carried out last time was as result of misuse.

You might want to add names and dates. A small legal company will usually charge about £75 to send a debt collection letter around where I live

Troels · 05/11/2019 08:02

Maybe issue her with a Section 21 notice seeing she's leaving, just to make sure she does go when she says she will.

justilou1 · 05/11/2019 08:12

Tell her you will take it from her bond money!!!

Russell19 · 05/11/2019 08:29

@justilou the OP clearly says that no deposit was paid.

justilou1 · 05/11/2019 10:05

Whoops! Need to read more attentively! Definitely a CF!!!

nearlyfullycooked · 05/11/2019 15:45

She's now paid rent

OP posts:
smegsmeg · 05/11/2019 15:50

YANBU get rid OP!

She's taking you for a ride.

DontCallMeShitley · 05/11/2019 15:51

Even with the rent paid I would issue the Section 21.

Did you send the e.mail above?

PepsiLola · 05/11/2019 18:08

Did you end up having to speak to her in order to get your rent paid? Or did she just pay it?

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 05/11/2019 18:13

Do you even have a tenancy agreement? You don’t sound like you have a clue what you’re doing.

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 05/11/2019 18:14

I will be seeking legal action and your contract will be terminated with immediate effect.

Lol

CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/11/2019 18:21

Go to Landlordzone, find the residential letting forum and post there. You'll get told off by the resident curmudgeons, but they will point you in the right direction. Most are seasoned landlords and a couple of the others are legal experts, quailifed and all!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/11/2019 18:22

your contract will be terminated with immediate effect Please do not do that! That would not be a good, wise or legal move to make!

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