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

[ParkingFeud]

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.

My son's tenants left so much stuff and should haev left zero. I did about 9 trips taking junk to the tip! They even left seven massive wooden crates in the garden they had brought there and thought looked like nice seating area (it was just junk). I had to use an electric saw to cut them in two even to get them in the car., We had to take apart and take to the tip 2 massive wardrobes and then moved to the loft - masses and masses and masses of stuff up there too! A neighbour asked for an almost new child's bike - I was very glad to hand that over.

I don't[ know why tenants think it is okay to leave a single thing of theirs there!

I think I spent about 20 hours clearing stuff all in all including travelling and not helped by having to make in advance trips to the council tip

Some tenants have a cheek!

lots of the usual horse-shit on here in between good advice.

they can't kick you out in 6 months, it is at least 2 years at the moment if England. But you should not even start this tenancy. I bet you haven't had your how to rent guide let alone all the other legals.

This is where Shelter can make themselves useful as you need urgent advice about how to get out of this. The landlords are telling you that they are crap, you must NOT get involved.

The landlord should have the place professionally cleaned between tenants.

that REALLY should become the law.

Was it already in such an awful state when you viewed it OP? Is it long-time neglect and dirt, or just carelessness before moving?

Sounds awful.

You don't normally need an inventory in an unfurnished flat. That's my job gone then!

I suspect that the poster meant, as most do, an inventory and schedule of condition, aka, an ingoing inventory!

Some tenants have a cheek!

true also.
That's why there should be higher deposit, and much stricter obligation (priced more accurately) for professional cleaning/ rubbish removal if needed.
It would protect both sides.

@CuriousaboutSamphire

You don't normally need an inventory in an unfurnished flat. That's my job gone then!

I suspect that the poster meant, as most do, an inventory and schedule of condition, aka, an ingoing inventory!

A report on the condition makes sense, but an inventory is a list of items isn't it? Not relevant if unfurnished. These reports are a big thing where I live now, but I didn't have one in my last flat in the UK.

Since new budget Chancellor said - ''Treasury is offering 95% loan to value mortgage scheme'' when someone with steady job can only pay 5% deposit to buy a house and if they can't pay the mortgage the govt. steps in and pays it - so lenders are not worried about possible defaults. It is supposes to help young people get on the housing ladder and bolster the bottom tiers of the market. (Hope it does not end in tears.)

I wouldn’t even move in. I’d demand your deposit back immediately and look for an air bnb or a cheap travelodge until you get something longer term sorted out.

Photograph everything. Make a list of all repairs/issues that need addressing. Send both to the landlord/managing agent and ask that they are attended to. If they refuse or don't address them in a reasonable amount of time contact your local council.

@debbiegotthejobandwelldone

The landlord should have the place professionally cleaned between tenants.

that REALLY should become the law.

Was it already in such an awful state when you viewed it OP? Is it long-time neglect and dirt, or just carelessness before moving?

Sounds awful.

This is the norm as far as I can see. I've never moved into a completely clean place. It's strange because if I don't leave a place totally clean, I'm penalised, but other tenants are obviously doing it. Are their landlords taking part of the deposits but not then spending it on cleaning? I think it might depend on the rental market where you live as well. Where I lived last most renters of cheap places like mine were either students or very low income people so I suppose not the kind to be able to argue with landlords.

"I don't[ know why tenants think it is okay to leave a single thing of theirs there!"

I had a bag full of cleaning products with quite a high value added all up that I didn't want to throw away so I left them in the hallway for someone else to use. I was fined for this.

At my last move, I agreed with neighbours that they would take them. They were very glad to have them.

My tenants always got an immaculate place, even the ones who moved in after the previous ones trashed it.

Landlords don't trash places, some tenants do,but landlords have to maintain and clean between tenancies. The op is not compelled to rent a shithole which this looks to be. It will not get better and nor will the crap landlord.

I will be interested to see if the legals have been followed - yeah, right...

Even if the landlord has done a professional clean, if the place has been left empty there will be dust and cobwebs.

Do not accept the window that won't close.
Ask her to come round and together you will write a list or inventory of the property so that it is clear what it is expected at the end of the tenancy. Ie you will not clean it and repaint for the next tenants. Arrange what must be repaired ie window and anything else non negotiable. Check that heating and shower and everything works now. If she is going to be an arse you may have to walk away and demand first month and deposit back. Put everything in writing.

Did you view it before signing the agreement? Just wondering if the previous tenants have left it in a mess and the landlord is not aware or something.

You don't normally need an inventory in an unfurnished flat

An inventory is often used to record, in detail the condition of the property as well as any fixtures and fittings that are present.

@nordica

Did you view it before signing the agreement? Just wondering if the previous tenants have left it in a mess and the landlord is not aware or something.

That's not acceptable. The landlord should have cleaned it after the last tenant.

Take photos of absolutely everything. Clear enough to live there for the minimum time, and look for somewhere else ASAP.

I had this. Landlord-lived in property, and he hadn't cleaned the property in months and pretty much all of his stuff remained in situ, including food in the fridge and dirty plates in the sink. This is despite the fact my rental agreement clearly stated the property would be deep cleaned and premises empty for me, as well as several small repair jobs would be made. None of the repairs were done when I moved in.

Photograph everything and refuse to take possession until it is cleared and cleaned. Insist they put you up in a hotel (at their expense) until the property is in a suitable state for you to move into.

Do not let them tell you they will sort it out after you move in. You need to make a lot of noise about this and keep on at them.

As it is a deposit secured property, you should be able to refuse to move in and have the deposit (and rent) returned in full.

Good luck.

I don't understand, OP. We are home owners now but I've rented various places in the past. I always viewed the property before I agreed to take a property and pay a deposit, I thought everyone did? Didn't you look around and see all the issues?

@Gwenhwyfar I know! But the inventory includes walls, doors, windows, carpets, kitchen units, included white goods, bathroom suite too.

A lot of landlords who DIY their own inventories make the same mistake and then can't claim for holes in the walls because they can't ptove they were not present at the beginning of the tenancy! But they come to me, or another clerk, the first trime they get bitten at check out

It's just a shortening of the terminology. All of my inventories are formally called inventory and schedule of conditions and all my checkouts are inventory and schedule of condition and dilapidations.

@Gwenhwyfar

Even if the landlord has done a professional clean, if the place has been left empty there will be dust and cobwebs.

Yep! and as a clerk I would make comment "Cleaned to a good standard* thoughout, however there are now some areas with cobwebs and/or light dust"

*That's the highest level of clean I give. As suggested by the various deposit schemes.

Whatever you decide to do, you need to get an inventory with photos before you move in.

Otherwise the cost of any mess/repairs you decide to live with will be deducted from your deposit upon your departure, and you won't have a leg to stand on. Make sure you get everything written down. Email is best. Email the landlady with photos of the whole flat, tell her you're not ok with the state of it, tell her what you want her to do, and make an inventory yourself to attach, for her to sign, if she responds without saying she'll deal with it all.

What is st the bottom of the window in the photo?

@Eckhart

Whatever you decide to do, you need to get an inventory with photos before you move in.

Otherwise the cost of any mess/repairs you decide to live with will be deducted from your deposit upon your departure, and you won't have a leg to stand on. Make sure you get everything written down. Email is best. Email the landlady with photos of the whole flat, tell her you're not ok with the state of it, tell her what you want her to do, and make an inventory yourself to attach, for her to sign, if she responds without saying she'll deal with it all.

No! NO! NO!

As I always say to tenant when they call me - if you aren't given an inventory, take your own pictures by all means, send them if you want to, especially if it is cleaning. And triple check the legal documents you have been given, deposit scheme certificate etc. BUT DO NOT DEMAND AN INVENTORY!

Without one it is the landlord who cannot prove any dilapidations and therefore cannot try to retain any of your deposit. It is down to them to prove they are out of pocket.

Honest! This is my job!