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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How much does my tenant owe me?

521 replies

Golaz · 10/02/2023 12:25

Hi all,

I’ve had a tenant in my flat on for a few years. She’s been on a rolling contract since the first six months. She normally pays rent on the 11th of the month for the month ahead.

I gave her notice on 22nd January, that I would need the flat back by 16th April. (Under a rolling contract I need to give 2 months notice, but I wanted to let her know earlier rather than later, to give her some time to sort something).

On the 4th February she informed me she had found somewhere and would be moving out probably around the middle of February. I followed up today and asked if she had a date. She told me yes- she’s moving out on the 18th and will return on the 20th to clean the place.

How much rent does she owe me? She’s already paid until the 11th. She seems to think she only needs to pay for an extra week until the 18th , but in the rolling contract she’s supposed to give me one months notice so I feel like she should pay until the 4th March.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Ultraninja · 10/02/2023 12:26

I'd just be relieved that she's going without any fuss and is even going to come back and clean.

mauvish · 10/02/2023 12:27

I don't know the answer, but if she's coming back on the 20th to clean the place and you can't begin the process of reletting it (if you want to) until after that, then surely she should be paying until at least the 20?

spottie · 10/02/2023 12:27

Are you joking? You'd already served her notice. Let it go.

DRS1970 · 10/02/2023 12:28

She doesn't have to give you any notice as you have already given her notice. I would say she owes a week at best.

Original poster
Golaz · 10/02/2023 12:28

spottie · 10/02/2023 12:27

Are you joking? You'd already served her notice. Let it go.

Nope not joking!

OP posts:
Original poster
Golaz · 10/02/2023 12:29

DRS1970 · 10/02/2023 12:28

She doesn't have to give you any notice as you have already given her notice. I would say she owes a week at best.

What do you mean “at best” you think I should let her stay for free ? I’m looking for grown up opinions here.

OP posts:
mewkins · 10/02/2023 12:30

I don't think you can have it all ways (although legally you may be able to push for it). I'd count myself lucky that she's found somewhere pretty quickly and without fuss. Are you moving in/selling?

Dareisayimonetoo · 10/02/2023 12:31

LL here, TBH why can’t you be nice, yes contract says one thing, but she’s going and sounds like going without bother. Get her to pay till her last day, whenever she cleans, as others say, be glad she found somewhere and is going and is going to clean as well. If it was me that’s what I’d do, it’s difficult enough being a tenant without the worry of paying for something twice.

woodhill · 10/02/2023 12:32

Why can't she pay till the 18th OP?

FourBoysAndAFeline · 10/02/2023 12:32

When I have rented, as per the rolling contract I couldn't just leave at the end of the month.

This often meant that for about 2 weeks I would be renting to places at a time while one ended and one began.

So I'm with you OP. She pays until the 4th as per the contract.

TreadLight · 10/02/2023 12:32

If you push your luck on this one, she could cost you far more than a few weeks rent. She's probably already paid you tens of thousands pounds in rent and you've given her notice of eviction. Is a few hundred pounds worth the risk of sullying the relationship and having an unliveable flat?

CatOnTheChair · 10/02/2023 12:32

I think I'd sigh in relief that you are getting the house back before you need it, and not charge her the full month's notice. BUT, if she is coming back to clean on the 20th, she definitely owes you more than one week.
I'd do a daily charge until you get the keys back.

FourBoysAndAFeline · 10/02/2023 12:32

*Two places

Original poster
Golaz · 10/02/2023 12:32

mewkins · 10/02/2023 12:30

I don't think you can have it all ways (although legally you may be able to push for it). I'd count myself lucky that she's found somewhere pretty quickly and without fuss. Are you moving in/selling?

I’m moving in. But not until the end of the summer . I don’t want to have it all ways, i genuinely want to be fair (without screwing myself over- I’m not good at holding boundaries). So looking for advice on what’s normal/ considered fair.

OP posts:
Quitelikeit · 10/02/2023 12:33

She owes you a week?!

you muddied the waters by allowing her 4 months instead of serving two months.

id just let it go

Quitelikeit · 10/02/2023 12:33

Or at worst she owes you until 4th March

MadeForThis · 10/02/2023 12:34

She's owes you until the date she hands the keys back. 20th.

ArmchairAnarchist2 · 10/02/2023 12:34

You're not after grown up replies, you're after posters to agree with you. Be grateful she is moving without trouble. If she was homeless as a result of your giving notice the advice would be to stay put until you went through the very expensive eviction process.

FourBoysAndAFeline · 10/02/2023 12:34

TreadLight · 10/02/2023 12:32

If you push your luck on this one, she could cost you far more than a few weeks rent. She's probably already paid you tens of thousands pounds in rent and you've given her notice of eviction. Is a few hundred pounds worth the risk of sullying the relationship and having an unliveable flat?

WTF?

You do realise that is not how life works dont you?

many people who rent properties to people have to pay the mortgage with the rent that take.

FourBoysAndAFeline · 10/02/2023 12:34

MadeForThis · 10/02/2023 12:34

She's owes you until the date she hands the keys back. 20th.

Not according to the contract.

Do contracts not count on Mumsnet?!

ellieshadfun · 10/02/2023 12:35

you’re taking the piss OP

MrNook · 10/02/2023 12:35

So looking for advice on what’s normal/ considered fair

Asking her to pay until 18th is fair, she's not made a fuss and found somewhere to go quickly, I wouldn't push it

Stuffynosetime · 10/02/2023 12:35

She owes you a week. What you trying to do, extort money out her for a month?

Hydie · 10/02/2023 12:36

20th. But you're moving in and not til end of summer....I smell a reverse. Surely you're not really this stupid to want rent for a month when you gave her the notice and she has moved out no issues....definitely a reverse.

Clymene · 10/02/2023 12:37

Fucking hell, you've kicked her out of her home and you're moaning about two weeks' rent.

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