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Original poster

Are we are unreasonable landlords?

238 replies

Leavingonajetplane33 · 13/09/2023 09:16

We moved out of London recently, but have kept our house and we are renting it out.

Our tenants moved in last week and so far we are finding them very difficult. On day one they called and the wife was shouting down the phone to my husband with a whole list of things that she was unhappy about.

There are too many things to mention, but she described the house as being filthy, dirty and covered in stains. Firstly the house is rented unfurnished with wooden floors throughout so not sure what could really be stained. Secondly, we had our much trusted long term cleaner spend 8 hours cleaning the property after we moved out and the check in report we have since since seen describes the property as domestically clean throughout. Nevertheless, we subsequently agreed to arrange a professional clean of the house. When the cleaning company arrived they called us to say that there was so much stuff everywhere that they could not even access some rooms and as some boxes etc were piled precariously they considered it a health and safety hazard. They cancelled the clean (with a £50 cancellation fee) which our tenants are very unhappy about.

Before moving in the tenants demanded that we install a washer dryer (we only had a washing machine) which we reluctantly agreed to. We did not have time to do this before we moved out and then needed someone to be at the property to take delivery. We had thought the tenants would be OK for this to happen shortly after they moved in. On day 1 the wife went ballistic at my husband about it and asked how she was going to be able to do washing. We pointed out that she could use the existing (perfectly fine) washing machine and put clothes out to dry in the 30 degree heat, but apparently that was unacceptable. We arranged a washer dryer to be delivered 2 days later (the quickest possible delivery slot) and then the night before (after we had had already received a 2 hour delivery slot message) they told us no one would be around to take delivery. We have again incurred a charge to rearrange the delivery.

There is a whole host of other things but I would be here writing for days to detail them all. Funniest was they told us that the boiler is inadequate because it does not have a water tank (it is a combi boiler).

We have asked to go round at some point this weekend to look at a couple of the smaller “issues” and collect a parcel addressed to us that has been accidentally delivered to the house. They are refusing because it is the anniversary of the death of the wife‘s mother.

We are trying our best to help them, but nothing ever seems to be right / good enough for them and frankly is is exhausting!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 13/09/2023 17:18

@FirstYouGetTheMoney This is a bit like the Tory MP who said we all needed to store a bit of petrol in our outbuildings when there were fuel issues- I rent a nice house for several thousand a month- we don't have a laundry room and I doubt many on here do !! Hence I have a washer dryer (prefer separates but hey ho) and a rotary dryer outside for when weather is good - ironically when we lived in Denmark I had an amazing basement laundry room about 15 ft square

Crikeyalmighty · 13/09/2023 17:19

@Royanne you beat me to it!! And I rent a lovely 4 bed Edwardian semi

UsernameWentAWOL · 13/09/2023 17:24

This is the thin end of the wedge. Just because they're high earners doesn't mean they'll pay rent given how they have started the tenancy. Have you got a break clause in the contract?

Royanne · 13/09/2023 17:29

Crikeyalmighty · 13/09/2023 17:18

@FirstYouGetTheMoney This is a bit like the Tory MP who said we all needed to store a bit of petrol in our outbuildings when there were fuel issues- I rent a nice house for several thousand a month- we don't have a laundry room and I doubt many on here do !! Hence I have a washer dryer (prefer separates but hey ho) and a rotary dryer outside for when weather is good - ironically when we lived in Denmark I had an amazing basement laundry room about 15 ft square

Yep and also factoring in the cost of living...mould is becoming more of a problem now as people are heating their homes less. But that's something that somebody with a laundry room probably doesn't need to worry about.

Zebedee55 · 13/09/2023 17:42

I'm not usually on the side of private landlords, but, in your case, I'd get an agency in to manage this, and, at the first opportunity, issue whatever eviction notice you can.

These tenants have"trouble" stamped all over them.

Even with a high end property in London, there are better tenants,

Wiii · 13/09/2023 17:47

I would tell them this isn't going to work long term and terminate the agreement as soon as you can (is 6 months the minimum these days?)

Parsley1234 · 13/09/2023 17:48

It’s not going to get better offer them £ to go speaking as a seasoned landlord

Throwncrumbs · 13/09/2023 18:11

When a relative moved into her council property she asked when them when they would be around to cut her grass…some people really are this stupid, she really thought that they would do this, same person has never worked a day in their life and has milked the system for decades. It’s continued with her kids too…the ‘ I’m entitled brigade ‘ and it’s in every walk of life from the rich downwards!

Lemmony · 13/09/2023 19:51

No, they sound awful! I am a tenant and would never do any of that!

ReadingSoManyThreads · 13/09/2023 20:00

"Dear Tenants,

You are clearly not happy with the property, therefore, we are happy to release you from your contract without penalty. Please let me know if you wish to do this and we can agree on a moving date.

Regards

Mr. & Mrs. Leavingonajetplane"

Do not stand for their bullshit any longer. They have done the new landlord test on you and you have failed the test (by pandering to them). They will continue to push boundaries until you are so stressed that you cannot sleep at night. Get rid now. They will either calm down once you send them the "happy clause" i.e. what I've written above, or they will leave. Please join FB forum UK Landlords Support Group, there is lots of advice on there from experienced landlords. I really hope as a new landlord that you are fully compliant with all the required legislation that you have to abide by. If not, you could end up with problems when you try to evict them. The rental market is booming at the minute, so as landlords you really can pick and choose to get the best tenants at the minute, so they will shoot themselves in the foot by being high-maintenance. It's also not recommended to supply white goods. They are a pain in the ass. Best of luck.

Stacybrown · 14/09/2023 08:12

Why are you accommodating them! You can find other tenants. If they’re not happy they can leave. Honestly they sound awful.
Have you gone through an estate agent? It might be worth refusing any contact except through them as they are going to harass you so much.

OhmygodDont · 14/09/2023 08:20

We live in an older property and technically have space we could use as a laundry room we don’t as it’s the inside part of the catio got me thinking though. As we don’t have a tumble dryer so in winter dry inside with windows open in rooms clothes are or hang on the curtain rails directly in front of open window.. Can’t say mould was a problem.

Allthewords · 14/09/2023 11:36

If you don’t want to deal with the tenant, pay for the agent to manage it or use a property management company. They are used to tenant demands. You’ll lose rental income but you’ll save your sanity.

Gwenhwyfar · 14/09/2023 12:50

Throwncrumbs · 13/09/2023 18:11

When a relative moved into her council property she asked when them when they would be around to cut her grass…some people really are this stupid, she really thought that they would do this, same person has never worked a day in their life and has milked the system for decades. It’s continued with her kids too…the ‘ I’m entitled brigade ‘ and it’s in every walk of life from the rich downwards!

I once rented a place where the LL continued to do the gardening so it's not impossible. He liked gardening and we didn't and he lived next door.

Gwenhwyfar · 14/09/2023 12:56

"And its odd not to have a dryer in the UK "

I disagree with that. A lot of people only have a washing machine or if they do have a dryer it's a combined washer dryer.

"how are they meant to get clothes dry in winter? drying it on radiators causes condensation problems. "

This is true so the LL can't then be blaming the tenant for causing humidity in this way.

Reugny · 14/09/2023 13:01

Royanne · 13/09/2023 16:45

So on the one hand, tumble dryers apparently are a ridiculous request from a tenant and hardly anybody in the UK has such a frivolous appliance

But on the other hand, if you don't have one and end up with mould from drying clothes indoors (unavoidable in some properties) then you've damaged the property and should be evicted

Thanks for confirming my original point 😂

Show quote history

Very few rental properties have dryers though a lot more have dishwashers.

If you want a dryer as a tenant and there is space, you buy one yourself.

I dry my laundry on airers with the window open when it is raining. In winter I close the window and use a dehumdifier as it gets my clothes dryer quicker.

Cosyblankets · 14/09/2023 14:06

Gwenhwyfar · 14/09/2023 12:56

"And its odd not to have a dryer in the UK "

I disagree with that. A lot of people only have a washing machine or if they do have a dryer it's a combined washer dryer.

"how are they meant to get clothes dry in winter? drying it on radiators causes condensation problems. "

This is true so the LL can't then be blaming the tenant for causing humidity in this way.

I have neither a drier nor mould.
So no, it isn't true.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/09/2023 18:26

I’m a tenant.

they are nuts.
get a management company and I wish you luck with them

NickyWiresSunnies · 14/09/2023 19:04

I write as a tenant, and witness to my lovely late stepdads struggles with selfish, entitled, renters: get them gone.

pineapplecrushed · 14/09/2023 19:10

People are crying out for a good rental, ditch these two when you can.

Crikeyalmighty · 14/09/2023 19:36

@pineapplecrushed not necessarily at this level- we rent moderately high level and whilst there is sometimes competition , it's really not the same level of competition as it is for a 2bed flat or 3 bed house for under£2k etc. ( and that's in more expensive areas)

mylifestory · 14/09/2023 20:11

I am a landlord and share your pain. Tenants this side of covid are a pain, i think they have gotten used to not having anything to do and moaning at their landlord has become a sport. Things ive learned to cope with them is - dont answer too soon if its not an urgent matter. If you dont actually need to deal with it at all then just dont reply. I found this was the only way I could stop my tenants in their course to get an olympic medal for complaining. No reply at all. If you give an inch they will take a mile!

With things like a delivery, make sure you have an email saying they will be in for something then you can say they agreed so have to make arrangements. If they demand a washing machine then they will jolly well be there to deal with it! Try not to ask them if a day or time is suitable for anything they ask for, just tell them when it is and let them sort themselves out around it. Some ppl just like to be difficult & it sounds like u have 1. In fact, pls msg me in confidence and tell me where you are in London as I think I know yr tenants?!

VeraMay · 14/09/2023 20:27

What rights do you have as a landlord? Did they see the place before taking it? Will they pay the rent?
I had to rent for a while. Houses were as good as they could be given that they had been rented out before. I left them better than when I moved in.
These people sound horrible.
I do hope there is a clause that enables you to cancel the contract. I wish you luck

newtoallthisshizzle · 14/09/2023 21:15

I would get rid of them asap even if it means losing a bit of money. It’s just not worth the hassle in my opinion. There are far nicer tenants to be had, though possibly not if it’s in a very expensive area. That might just attract a particularly demanding clientele. Good luck!

PetuniaT · 14/09/2023 22:15

This is how it starts. Next they'll be withholding rent and you'll be out £thousands by the time you get them out and recover your trashed home. Renting out is not the investment panacea that amateur landlords though it would be.