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Original poster

Just got to keys to rental house in awful state...

191 replies

ParkingFeud · 12/03/2021 13:41

I've just got keys to a rental house and popped in on my lunch time. There is junk, overflowing bins and old garden furniture all over the Garden. The property was marked unfinished and we verbally checked it would be when looking round but there are 4 large pieces of awful furniture left in which are not to my taste at all. The kitchen is still full of appliances and all sorts else so definitly hasn't had cupboards wiped out or anything like that. The walls are COVERED in filthy marks. I have not been given an inventory, what can I do?! Awful posters left on wall etc.

OP posts:
Easterbunnygettingready · 12/03/2021 13:42

Private or local authority?

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 12/03/2021 13:42

Speak to who you rented it from?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 12/03/2021 13:44

Sounds awful, take photos, go back to whomever you're renting from.

VettiyaIruken · 12/03/2021 13:45

Hopefully you can contact them and they'll deal with it but also get the owner / agent round and take pictures and get it in writing that this is the condition it was rented to you in.

Otherwise you risk them stitching you up for your deposit.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 12/03/2021 13:46

Are you renting from an agent or private? Go back and complain. See what they can do. You might need to stay somewhere else tonight. This is totally unacceptable.

FoggyDay58 · 12/03/2021 13:46

Photograph EVERYTHING.

Alwaysandforeverhere · 12/03/2021 13:47

Take time stamped photos of everything and keep them forever for a start to prove the bad condition for when you leave.

Then complain to whoever you are renting from.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 12/03/2021 13:47

Who are you renting from? Why don't you have an inventory? I hope your deposit is protected.

Alwaysandforeverhere · 12/03/2021 13:48

Also make sure you complain in an email as well as over the phone keep a paper trail. A agent or landlord willing to let in this condition will try and screw you over.

Gliblet · 12/03/2021 13:51

Were they expecting you to go round? It could be they have cleaning/clearance booked and it hasn't happened yet. Either way:

Take photos.

Email listing the things that need sorting out (the problem, and the solution that's needed e.g. this item of furniture has been left behind, it needs to be removed. The kitchen has unused food items in the cupboards, they need to be removed and the kitchen needs to be cleaned) and ask for a clear response about EITHER the date they'll be sorted, or how they plan to reimburse you for getting them sorted.

Ask for an inventory and a rental agreement that clearly sets out where your deposit will be held and the conditions for its return.

Original poster
ParkingFeud · 12/03/2021 13:55

Thanks all, it's private and the deposit is secured. I'm shocked, even my student house years ago was better than this. I did pick up they keys an hour early but there is probably a day or twos work there....

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 12/03/2021 14:17

Why don’t you have an inventory?

SnackSizeRaisin · 12/03/2021 14:22

We rented one that was dirty although not as bad as you describe. We were given a rent reduction for the first month.
Take photos and report the condition. Does it say anything in the tenancy agreement about the condition the property should be in?

Dazedandconfused10 · 12/03/2021 14:24

Did you request the property to be professionally cleaned prior to moving in? If not, they don't need to provide the house in that state (not saying its acceptable - just this standard) has check in been completed?

Felifox · 12/03/2021 14:31

Are you renting as an individual, family or shared? If there's more than one of you I would video with two of you going round showing the areas that need addressing. I hope you manage to get an allowance

PopAyetheSailorMam · 12/03/2021 14:44

Councils usually offer a pick up for 4 or five large items for a fixed charge, from the property line. Check out their website. Take pictures of problems and general condition. Read the meters by taking pictures on your phone. Don't forget water if on a meter too. Use something standard like a coke can for scale if there are stains, large marks etc.

ThrowingAShellstrop · 12/03/2021 14:47

You need to get an inventory the. Go round the whole house ticking things off and noting down things that are wrong. Send it back to LL/EA and tel them furniture and appliances have been left and you’d like them removed.

ThrowingAShellstrop · 12/03/2021 14:48

And yes, photograph everything with a time and date stamp

sweetnessnfight · 12/03/2021 14:51

Video record it as you walk around and send that in

Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 12/03/2021 15:42

Has it been empty for a while and been squatted in?
Either way you need to contact the landlord/agency and get them to take a look and suggest a way of sitting it out.

Curtainsclosedplease · 12/03/2021 18:36

Poor you. Looks like your landlord is another one who wants a pure profit business and can't even be bothered to get the property in a decent, clean state before you move in. But will happily take your deposit and rent. What are they saying about this?

Original poster
ParkingFeud · 13/03/2021 09:10

Landlords seem very surprised that I think it is a state...!! They are coming to collect the furniture and have said I can repaint if I like to cover all the dirty walls. But I don't really want to spend money on paint knowing they could kick us out in 6 months.
I'm so pissed off with this country and it's property situation :(

OP posts:
wandawombat · 13/03/2021 09:12

It should be clean and tidy with a proper check-in & inventory.

Don't accept it in this state.

If this is how they present the property, I'd be very wary of them as landlords.

Is your deposit protected in the Deposit Scheme?

cansu · 13/03/2021 09:48

Take photos of all dirt including walls carpets garden dirt in cupboards etc. Take a video. Get it dated and take a copy for you. Send it to landlord and agent recorded. I had simar and the landlord tried to take my deposit to replace carpets Nd decorate his dirty house after I had been there seven years with nothing done

Savethewhales · 13/03/2021 09:57

The house should have been clean and tidy for you moving into.. Hope you photographed it and sent to landlord as you would have signed a contract that the house is to be kept to a reasonable level of cleaniless, which you can't do as home was a mess prior to you even moving in.. Get the photos sent and make a reasonable demand for home to be cleaned