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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give someone a chance.Tenants

71 replies

Teenangels · 05/10/2023 17:49

Tenants

Our last tenants have just left our property.
They left with rent arrears if 2 months (they could not pay because in their words they had their wedding to pay for, both in full time employment).
A neighbour that we know, from when we lived at the property, is being evicted on a section 21, we know she is a great tenant but their landlord is terrible think no carpet etc, repairs not being done.

We knocked on her door and said that we are looking for a tenant, would she like to rent ours for less than she is currently paying, we showed her around and said that we would decorate and put new carpets in as the tenants ruined the new ones we put in our letting agent is saying that we are stupid.

We would like the new tenant to make it her home for her and her kids.

We trust her and know that she will look after the house.

Are we being unreasonable to trust someone after the shitshow we have just been through.

OP posts:
FunnyFox · 05/10/2023 19:09

I think you should go ahead.

She is more of a known quantity than many, many potential tenants you could find who may be prepared to pay more, may pass credit checks but then may turn out to be really awful once in the property. She's been in situ for 8 years, she has children, she's clearly stable etc. It's a s21 notice to end a tenancy not an eviction and not a s8 notice for non payment of rent and/or some other breach of tenancy.

Your letting agent is probably cheesed off because you won't be paying them a fee this time to find a tenant.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 05/10/2023 19:16

Just check that your insurance is happy to still insure you if the tenant is on benefits.

Most will but a few won't.

Original poster
Teenangels · 05/10/2023 19:19

DelightfullyDotty · 05/10/2023 18:43

I think this is completely the wrong place to ask. MN hates landlords. I don’t agree with the housing situation in the uk and I don’t think that people should be able to buy multiple homes but I’ve been a landlord and tenant simultaneously so I’m quite neutral.

I’d be careful. This woman has rented for eight years but then so have most tenants who are currently being evicted. Most people are living in reduced circumstances at the moment. What is the plan if she can’t pay rent? You’re being lovely but some people will take advantage.

I would find a landlord’s forum and ask on there.

Mumsnets hate rouge landlords and I quite agree they are terrible!

We have rented and we don't own multiple properties just this one and our main home, we only own this one because we could not sell it in time when we were buying our home.

We currently did not buy a property to make money. We just want to give someone a chance, if we don't make money, it worth less than what we paid for it. We will break even just.

OP posts:
FunnyFox · 05/10/2023 19:20

And I don't think you are being very naive. Certainly carry out a tenancy credit check - but not sure how many landlords ever get to "check inside [a prospective tenants'] current home...😆

Motomum23 · 05/10/2023 19:22

I've been a tenant for 25 years - always pay my rent on time, fix what I can and don't take the pee. Twice in the last 10 years I've been given notice to leave due to the landlords wanting their property back... once when heavily pregnant and once with a 1 year old. You could be this lady's life line like my current landlady was to us.
Good for you x

Nurget · 05/10/2023 19:27

pieinthesky10 · 05/10/2023 18:13

Op you are being very naive, you do need a solid reference check, and l would ask for a reference from a workplace and a previous LL.
Just because you have 'seen her around for 8 years' does not make her a good tenant.
What would is;
Ability to pay the going rent with a margin.
Excellent credit score
References and security of job.
Seeing inside her current home, the LL may be awful ...or she could be too.

learn from the close call on the other tenant, once you have a bad tenant it is extremely hard to remove them.

Seeing inside her current home?! What?

What absolute rubbish. My credit score is shite and I’ve never paid my rent late (which is why my credit score is shite!). I’m also really messy and always on a series of temporary work contracts. But I’ve been living in the same private rental for 14 years, have brought my kids up here and decorated / completely transformed the garden / done all minor repairs myself. And I have 3 cats 😂

Don’t be so judgy. You can’t tell a person’s character from a credit report and it’s not the landlord’s business how tidy they are.

Go for it OP.

Choccyoclocky · 05/10/2023 19:29

We were evicted after 11 years, landlord (also family friend) sold the house. A friend of a family member took a chance on us and we are now in a much better house and so much happier. I really am so pleased they did that for us.

FunnyFox · 05/10/2023 19:29

@Nurget

I'm a landlord and I agree with Nurget

YachtMistress · 05/10/2023 19:39

Have you managed a rental before or always used an agent?

If you are new to managing the rental, I would recommend joining the NRLA, there is a checklist to make sure you have all your ducks in a row regarding the regulatory checks and documents.
You can carry out tenant checks via them and use their downloads for essential documents such as tenancy agreements and inventories. They have an advice service ( hopefully not needed).

Original poster
Teenangels · 05/10/2023 19:45

FunnyFox · 05/10/2023 19:29

@Nurget

I'm a landlord and I agree with Nurget

I have to say I agree with them as well.

Our last tenants were professional people earning over 70K, passed all the checks and knew how to play the system, paying £1 more than being in 2 months arrears.

i would rather give someone a chance and provide a home than the last tenants.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 05/10/2023 19:56

@Teenangels blimey- they sound charmers!

We rent and pay a lot too - but even when we've had tight times have always prioritised the rent-

I think it's a lovely thing to do OP and to be frank the lady is more likely to value the home. As someone else said I possibly would do a6 month fixed to start but make it clear the plan is to then extend that- that way you will at least get a feel for how it's going

user12345678912334 · 05/10/2023 20:05

As someone who might be homeless very soon: can I just say how lovely your gesture is.

Original poster
Teenangels · 05/10/2023 20:07

user12345678912334 · 05/10/2023 20:05

As someone who might be homeless very soon: can I just say how lovely your gesture is.

I am so sorry to hear about your situation, I hope that you find somewhere soon.

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 05/10/2023 20:11

The thing is that you say you don't know her but that you trust her 99%. I really hope your generosity does work out.

HamBone · 05/10/2023 20:12

I think you’re doing a good thing and it could also work out well for you.

But, I would still do a credit check and most importantly, check references. Ultimately this is a business arrangement and you need to treat it as such.

ActDottie · 05/10/2023 20:13

I’d do this.

One of the best tenants my parents had was a single man without consistent employment and on housing benefit. He’d struggled to find a home as landlords just refused him as he didn’t have good employment. My parents gave him a chance and he was excellent. Even asked if he could redecorate (my parents paid for the materials) and he did an amazing job!

Original poster
Teenangels · 05/10/2023 20:20

determinedtomakethiswork · 05/10/2023 20:11

The thing is that you say you don't know her but that you trust her 99%. I really hope your generosity does work out.

We showed her around today, and she cried as our place was a palace compared to her palace in terms of the kitchen and bathroom and the fact it had carpet that fitted (alas filthy and ruined from the last tenants and bloody house rabbit we did not know about).

Her landlord she is with now has just emailed to say that she has never missed a payment and is a good tenant he is selling up.

If she is lying then she should be an actress as she has fooled me.

OP posts:
user12345678912334 · 05/10/2023 20:22

@Teenangels ❤️❤️❤️

quietlycontent · 05/10/2023 20:23

Sounds great to me

dizzygirl1 · 05/10/2023 20:26

FloweryName · 05/10/2023 17:56

I wouldn’t take a chance on someone who is being evicted. Plenty of tenants claim the landlord is at fault when the reality is there is fault on both sides, or they are just disrespectful tenants.

Will it make a difference on your insurance?

Ridiculous behaviour and so typical.

OP you sound like a brilliant landlord. Your agents think you're daft because they want more money. It's actually a brilliant idea so long as you're content with how the tenant has been in their current house. You could always ask to pop in or speak to the current landlord.

As a tenant who was evicted for no reason (well other than greed) I say thank you to you for the tenant. Please don't underestimate how big this is to her, she won't have to completely change her and her childrens life and school and plans. It will mean more than a lot of people can understand.

ThinWomansBrain · 05/10/2023 20:27

Letting agent was probably counting on a large finders fee for getting new tenants.
Same letting agent that found you the pair that prioritised paying for a fancy wedding over paying you their rent perchance?
Probably now concerned whether you'll continue paying commission for him to 'manage' collecting rent from the tenant that you've recruited.

You know and trust the ex-neighbour, what reason do you have to trust the estate agent?

BiscuitsandPuffin · 05/10/2023 20:57

FunnyFox · 05/10/2023 19:20

And I don't think you are being very naive. Certainly carry out a tenancy credit check - but not sure how many landlords ever get to "check inside [a prospective tenants'] current home...😆

Yeah or get an employment reference. LMAO what would those of us who have been self employed do? 🤣

Go for it OP. We took a chance on tenants and they were fine. Not outstanding but fine. They were foreign students so no credit rating and no LL reference (or employment reference 🤣) and I couldn't see inside their house as it was 6000 miles away but funnily enough all that was totally irrelevant because I knew them personally and that was enough for me to know what sort of people they were.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 05/10/2023 21:26

pieinthesky10 · 05/10/2023 18:13

Op you are being very naive, you do need a solid reference check, and l would ask for a reference from a workplace and a previous LL.
Just because you have 'seen her around for 8 years' does not make her a good tenant.
What would is;
Ability to pay the going rent with a margin.
Excellent credit score
References and security of job.
Seeing inside her current home, the LL may be awful ...or she could be too.

learn from the close call on the other tenant, once you have a bad tenant it is extremely hard to remove them.

Agree

caringcarer · 05/10/2023 23:04

I usually get a credit check to check for bankruptcy, CCJ's or similar and ask who they work for and ask to see a recent wage slip or check with the employer that they do employ them. I must admit I tend to offer couples where both work as my first choice but that is because if one lost their job the other would still get money coming in. I don't mind if they get a UC top up and I prefer families with children as more likely to settle longer term. Sometimes you just get a gut feeling. I let one 3 bedroom house to a single Dad with a teen with severe SEN. The agent suggested an electrician and his gf were more suitable but I look after a SEN child so I know they do often get discriminated against. He asked why I picked him as EA told him there were more suitable candidates, and I told him because his son had SEN and his son was really happy it was because of him. They have been great tenants for almost 2 years now. They have always paid the rent on time. He gets a UC top up and they look after the house well.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/10/2023 23:50

@Teenangels thank you on behalf of that little family x

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