A LL-tenant relationship is both a legal relationship but also a human one.
During a tenancy, especially a long one, it can take a number of twists and turns. There can be maintenance problems that arise, rent payment issues, contract issues and renewals. Tenants can turn out to be excellent and always pay on time, report any problems quickly and not raise unnecessary issues. Or they can stop paying, damage the property or not report naturally occurring maintenance issues. They can legally refuse to leave when given notice and hang onto the bitter end of the eviction process. Likewise, LLs can be excellent - providing a well-maintained property at the start, clear information about how to contact if a problem arises and fully understanding and meeting their legal obligations, whilst allowing the tenant full quiet enjoyment of the property and treating them like a sensible trusted adult. But equally, they can be disinterested and not respond to communication or to legitimate maintenance requests, to behave illegally, unreasonably hike rents or harass the tenants so the property does not feel like their home.
Besides the legal requirements, both tenants and LLs have a sense of the relationship between them. When a tenancy nears its end, whoever has instigated that, there’s often especial awareness of that. Finishing well and on good terms is better for everyone. For a tenant, it probably means good references, speedy deposit return and quite simply a feeling of being treated reasonably….that after they’ve paid tens of thousands in rent, the LL hasn’t wanted to haggle about a missing lightbulb, or a dusty interior in one cupboard. They’ve shown an understanding of the stresses of moving. However, too often, tenants feel that they’ve outlived their usefulness as a cash cow and feel aggrieved that an estate agent has wanted them to be ready to show prospective buyers around, or to vacate the property regularly for viewings. They can feel that requirements for moving out are unclear or shifting, and that expectations are unreasonable, with LLs wanting the property back in a better state than it was provided in, and that unreasonable deductions from the deposit are threatened or upheld, along with threats about references. Even if the tenancy has been good until this point, it can all leave a very sour taste.
Ultimately, as a LL, I think it’s vital to treat people right, with respect, consideration and empathy. And actually, most of this doesn’t cost anything financially at all. Simply understanding and acknowledging what some of the issues and difficulties can be for tenants, especially as tenancies end if instigated by the LL, is so important. A little bit of thought, communication and decency can make the difference between a truly horrible experience, and one which whilst still not pleasant is manageable and okay.
I take the view with my tenants, that as they come to move out, I will not be overly rigid. If they’ve paid their last rent and paid rent on time through the tenancy, and the property is emptied and left without damage, I have done really well. As others say, these things don’t always happen and part of being a LL is then picking up the pieces. If you don’t have to, you shouldn’t just think ‘that’s what I’m entitled to’ but recognise things have turned out well…because in a LLs career, there will be times when it doesn’t turn out well and you have to deal with it and be prepared for it.
So if a tenant asks about leaving a few days early or later, and that isn’t going to significantly impact me, I’d say ‘yes’ to accommodate them. If the house hasn’t been cleaned to professional standards but is looking cleanish after a long tenancy, I wouldn’t pursue that issue and likewise with the garden. If they were mean to be gone by midday but weren’t gone until 5pm, I’d let it go.
I’d expect to have to sound money on the property between tenancies….it’s just the cost of running the business, so it doesn’t actually matter if it’s not pristine. It’s not worth sweating the tiny things, and actually a couple of days rent is a tiny thing in the bigger picture of years of rent. If any LL is in a financial position where they can’t let a couple of days rent go, things are just too tight and they haven’t managed their resources well enough. It suggests that if the boiler had broken down a few weeks before, they would have struggled to find £3k to replace it. And that’s not acceptable. And screwing the last penny out of tenants for an extra day, or some lightbulbs or an hours cleaning, is also not right either. It’s when LLs are looking for where they can squeeze a few extra quid out if their tenant that I’m concerned…..some look to find something, anything in the maintenance to justify keeping £100, or to be as awakward as possible about the move out arrangements. Why? There is no need.