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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure how to answer tenant’s question

232 replies

Silverflake · 04/12/2019 07:51

I’m renting my flat out from today, the tenants (couple, 2 bed flat) are moving in this afternoon. I’ve not been a landlord before so this is all new to me.

I’ve had a message from the letting agent today: “The tenant reached out to us asking once they move in and been there for a couple of weeks how it would work with having friends over and if you allowed them how long it for them to stay?”

I’m not sure how to answer this. I rented myself for 20 years and it wouldn’t have occurred to me to ask this - I had friends or relatives to stay on odd occasions for a night or two, maybe every few weeks.

I wouldn’t want people staying there all the time as I have to think of my neighbours downstairs (small block of 4 flats) and additional noise. And wear and tear on the flat to a certain extent I suppose? Do I even have the right to specify this though? And if so, what is reasonable? Are they trying to get me to agree to a certain amount so that it becomes a regular arrangement/partial sublet thing and then I can’t complain at a later date? Or am I overthinking it?

WIBU to say they can have one or two people to stay no more than once a week? Really not sure what the done thing is here so any advice would be great, thanks

OP posts:
JolieOBrien · 06/12/2019 14:40

Do you live in a rented house?

JolieOBrien · 06/12/2019 14:44

@RhinoskinhaveI

I don't think that they owe me rent and if call the bailiffs in they will lose that big tv which I don't want to do.

Sometimes I do feel like selling all the houses and making them all homeless ... I could do that but I won't because I would not be able to live with myself.. I am a good Landlord.

Taddda · 06/12/2019 15:41

@JolieOBrien.... really dont know where to start with your posts.... I actually do think you should sell your houses/flats/whatever as you certainly should not be a landlord....

If you turned up at my house to 'confront' me I'd have you arrested (at best!), also order you with an immediate 'cease and desist'- . You do know that intimidation (bully tactics) are illegal don't you?

There is a very good reason legal contracts are put in place, if your tenant does not abide, follow the correct protocol, your not only breaking the law, your putting yourself at risk by your own actions-

Btw, why does it matter to you if I rent....if I said I did would you think your were in a hierarchy and my opinion counts for nothing...How about if I told you I was also a landlord but treat my tenants with the respect they not only deserve but pay me for!! And if they didnt, they'd have to follow the legalities and unfortunately leave the premises.....it happens!

Some people (you) should not be landlords....the system needs changing

RhinoskinhaveI · 06/12/2019 16:40

Sometimes I do feel like selling all the houses and making them all homeless
you should sell up, things are slow now so you'd need to sell at a low price, hopefully to someone who can be a homeowner, that would mean more houses in the hands of people who can then invest their hard earned money into their own future instead of being forced to work for greedy, high and mighty landlords.

Taddda · 06/12/2019 16:47

@JolieOBrien you also stated you were 'livid' with her....so you think turning up at her property to confront her (infront of her children!?) is a 'nicer' thing for her to have to deal with over Balliffs, like you were doing her a favour, because she might loose her 'bigger than yours' TV!!? Unbelievable.

And if you sometimes think about 'making all your tenants homeless' what sort of warped superiority complex do you have!?

Duchesscheshire · 06/12/2019 17:50

Perfectly put hotnmess...saddened by the ignorant comments in here. Worth remembering as well....agents have bo legal liability to landlord or tenant. Landlord and tenant are in contract. Asking an agent for advice on how to manage your legal responsibilities as a landlord is naive at best. Good advice here about joining rla. Being a landlord does not mean you can dictate what your customers do in their own homes, so long as they pay rent and stick to the contract, that is it.

ReanimatedSGB · 07/12/2019 00:11

If the tenants are dealing crack from the property or having nightly loud parties that mean the neighbours are constantly wailing to Environmental Health then, yes, those are problem tenants and you would be entirely reasonable to evict them (though you would still have to follow the correct legal procedures.) If the tenants stop paying the rent with no explanation (or even with an explanation, if it goes beyond a certain point) YANBU to evict them.
Other than that, though, they don't owe you obedience and the way they live is none of your business.

lyralalala · 07/12/2019 01:21

I’ve been asked a few times. I think it’s because there are some landlords who will try and say that visitors are not allowed at all. There’s a flat in the block that I rent mine out in whose landlord has stated they aren’t allowed more than 5 people in the flat at any time. He’s always surprised his tenants escape him ASAP as well!

I always just say that as it is your home family and friends visiting is entirely normal. Paying guests from the likes of Airbnb or Rent a Room are not allowed. Anyone who uses it as their main home or a regular weeknight residence needs to be on the tenancy.

I’ve always found that reassuring them that it’s their home (which is it, my house, but their home) makes people more open with you and then they’ll say “X’s Mum lives in Australia so we’d like her to visit for a month” or the likes.

Also, don’t take your LA’s word as gospel. First of all you are legally responsible so you need to know what you can and can’t do. Secondly many of them are absolute and utter shite.

JolieOBrien · 07/12/2019 05:31

@Taddda

Are you one of my tenants? you sound like one

JolieOBrien · 07/12/2019 05:33

If you rent a you have to pay your rent or your Landlord will have no alternative but to evict you. My properties are buy to let and I have to pay mortgages on them every month as well as my own mortgage. Everyone has bills to pay including Landlords.

JolieOBrien · 07/12/2019 05:34

@RhinoskinhaveI

You sound very bitter ... why is that?

JolieOBrien · 07/12/2019 05:36

@ReanimatedSGB

I have a few single mums who have drug dealer boyfriends in my houses and I have had to get the police involved and unfortunately some children were taken into care because of this. It is not easy being a Landlord believe me!

lyralalala · 07/12/2019 05:39

I have a few single mums who have drug dealer boyfriends in my houses and I have had to get the police involved and unfortunately some children were taken into care because of this. It is not easy being a Landlord believe me!

If that’s a regular thing perhaps you should re-evaluate your lettings procedures

JolieOBrien · 07/12/2019 05:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

JolieOBrien · 07/12/2019 05:46

@Tadadada

I am married to a property lawyer so I do know the law btw

lyralalala · 07/12/2019 06:07

@JolieOBrien

We have but the last mum seemed nice she had 2 little boys and was living in a council house which we visited before giving her a tenancy agreement. After 2 years she abandoned the property and we found she had been growing cannabis in the loft for her gypsy boyfriend. We had to replace the ceiling. I did not tell the police because I did not want her to lose her children.

So, your tenant turned her children’s home into a cannabis factory and then disappeared, but you decided that you have enough info to not bother alerting anyone who could check on her children?

I can see now why my abusive parents got away with so much

ferntwist · 07/12/2019 08:47

I’m a landlord and also a private renter myself because of personal circumstances. It’s not that easy to make any money at all if you keep properties well maintained and rents competitive. It’s not that different from any other business.

Inliverpool1 · 07/12/2019 08:48

As landlords you are not responsible for all of societies problems. Personally I would have tracked down the cannabis grower and made her pay, she no doubt had more money than you.

But seems nice cannot be your criteria for deciding who to rent to

RhinoskinhaveI · 07/12/2019 10:56

I'm not sure what you mean by bitter, can you explain Jolie

Taddda · 07/12/2019 19:41

@JolieOBrien No, thankfully, I'm not one of your tenants....but what I find disturbing is by calling you out on your underhand actions you actually think I 'sound like one of your tenants'....?? I'm honestly sad to be proved right on this occasion- it also sounds like your targeting a certain type of (vunerable) tenant, perhaps because of the sort of properties you let out, or the state of repair.....? For whatever reason, be it financial gain (or apparent narcissism), I really hope you do sell up and pursue a different 'career'...good luck to your tenants

Devora13 · 07/12/2019 23:11

Sounds like they could be looking at a sublet and trying to cover themselves just in case they're caught out? Sorry for sounding cynical, it's called life experience...

Devora13 · 07/12/2019 23:23

Private landlords exist in abundance due to necessity. This is due to government policy dating back to the 80s which allowed tenants to buy their homes, but which failed to use the revenue to invest in building sufficient replacement social housing.
I do think it is worth bearing in mind when said landlords are bleating about their lack of profit, however, that the tenants are in fact paying the mortgages for the which results in their outright ownership of said properties.

Devora13 · 07/12/2019 23:38

Actually just been reading through some more comments. There are really awful examples of both extremes here, aren't there? From the 'I should just make them all homeless' to the 'I know my rights and will make the landlord's life hell' types. Unsurprisingly, there is bitterness and cynicism from both parties, being unreasonable in equal measure.

Taddda · 08/12/2019 07:41

@Devora13 and that's why legalities and contracts are put in to place....no ones life on either side should be 'made a hell' - I think it's more accurate to add that on the end of the above Landlords statement of 'I'll make them all homeless' rather than a Tenant 'knowing their rights'....many of which don't know their legal rights unfortunately and put up with dire living circumstances as a consequence - add on to that the homeless threat and many won't even enforce their rights out of fear.

The power will always be with the homeowner at the end of the day who can choose to sell up or pull the plug at anytime- and that's their right to do so-

Both sides have rights...and are both allowed to act upon them, that's why there called 'rights' (not wrongs!) -

Taddda · 08/12/2019 07:49

@Devora13 Also, do you think private landlords really exist in abundance due to necessity? I very much doubt the majority think 'I'll buy up all these homes because people need to rent off me or they'll have no where else to go...' out of the kindness of their hearts!!?? It's a business! It also makes it impossible for renters to buy their own home....??