Page 19 | To keep their deposit!!

LivFG · 2023-11-15T03:20:42+00:00

DH and I have a couple of properties we rent out. We have been renting to a young couple who always seemed like good tenants. We gave them notice a couple of months ago as we are going to start renting on AirBnB instead as DH thinks we will get more money (don't get me started). Anyway, they moved out on Saturday and everything seemed fine. Today I went to get everything cleaned and I found (what I think to be) weed residue next to the sink. I'm Furious. I feel completely violated and uncomfortable being inside the property. I'm sick with worry that they have been using illegal drugs in my home and what the legal ramifications could be!! Obviously we have their deposit. I was planning to refund it this week. After my discovery today, I now feel incredibly reluctant to make any sort of refund. The idea of supporting/funding their lifestyle makes me very uncomfortable. And they never would have been given permission to abuse my property in this way. DH seems to think none of this is a problem and seems to completely miss the point - it isn't about cleaning it up - it's about the abuse of our trust. AIBU?

TBOM · 15/11/2023 13:54

@LivFG You do understand that you acted illegally by not protecting the deposit, and your tenants could claim compensation from you? Y

MargotBamborough · 15/11/2023 13:56

LivFG · 15/11/2023 13:50

I'm not sure whether it is sensible to reply as everything I say seems to be twisted against me. This whole situation was completely unexpected, and yes it has upset me. I absolutely hate thinking about what was going on in the property and there is no way I'd ever have allowed this behaviour. I do feel very let down by it all and was incredibly upset yesterday (I still am). I was at the property until midnight cleaning, so contrary to what some may think, I do take cleaning between tenants seriously.

I referred to having to thoroughly sterilise the property because I do not want any other tenants entering and finding an illegal substance!! I certainly don't want them to think that DH or I are the ones who left it - or that we condone illegal behaviours.

As I have now said twice, the deposit will be refunded and I will be doing it today. I still don't think it's right that tenants can engage in illegal activities (for which they could be imprisoned!) and apparently do so without consequence. I wonder how many people here would be happy in a similar situation? But of course it's easy to criticise me.

I agree that the airBnB plan is questionable. I have had words with DH about it again today and have told him numerous times before that I have doubts. I was persuaded by the potentially higher returns, as well as better provisions for any damage or abuse but tbh I expect it will be a nightmare and I'll be the one left to deal with it.

OP, you don't even know that what you found was weed.

Have you ever smoked weed? Do you even know what it looks or smells like?

Nobody is twisting anything against you. This is your thread, on which you posted asking if you were unreasonable to deduct money from their deposit, not for property damage but as punishment for what you believe, but can't prove, they were doing in your property when they lived there. And then you admitted that you didn't comply with your legal obligation to put their deposit in the Deposit Protection Scheme.

You should not be allowed to let out your property. You don't understand the first thing about your legal obligations.

That's why you're getting flack from people on here. Nothing has been twisted.

CloverHilla · 15/11/2023 13:58

there is no way I'd ever have allowed this behaviour

They're not children, and you're not their parent!

You keep going on and on about the illegality of what you perceive to be weed residue, but won't acknowledge that you and your DH actually did something illegal. If you're so innocent, how do you know what weed residue like like?

@LivFG
I really want an answer to the question, have you protected the deposits of your other tenants??? Doubt it. 😡

princefamilypaper · 15/11/2023 13:58

hopeishere · 15/11/2023 13:08

If you're getting this upset about the possibility of weed you will not be able to cope with AirbnB.

Agreed. I don't think it's right for you OP.

Do you have a picture of this weed residue?

MiamiWindMachine · 15/11/2023 14:01

I still don't think it's right that tenants can engage in illegal activities (for which they could be imprisoned!) and apparently do so without consequence. I wonder how many people here would be happy in a similar situation? But of course it's easy to criticise me.

But being imprisoned (if they actually were dealing, which is a massive assumption) WOULD be the consequence! You can’t decide to take the law into your own hands by keeping their deposit.

Yes, if you’d caught them engaging in illegal activities in your property, you could have legitimately chucked them out. But you didn’t. You have some vague suspicions but no proof - and in any case, you’re rid of those tenants anyway. Why do you want to, or think you can, retrospectively penalise them for something you can’t even be sure happened?

MargotBamborough · 15/11/2023 14:02

The idea that people are imprisoned for smoking a bit of weed at home is hilarious.

I very much doubt the police would even care if someone called them and informed them that someone is smoking weed in their home.

TBOM · 15/11/2023 14:03

@LivFG You say you're a good landlord but you really aren't if you don't even understand your legal obligations to your tenant, however "informal" you think your rental agreement is. Even though they have moved out they can still claim compensation from you for not protecting their deposit. You'd better hope they're as ignorant of their rights as you are https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/how_to_make_a_tenancy_deposit_compensation_claim

Make a tenancy deposit compensation claim - Shelter England

A court can order a landlord or agent to return your deposit and pay compensation of up to 3 times the deposit if they break tenancy deposit protection rules.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/how_to_make_a_tenancy_deposit_compensation_claim

SocksAndTheCity · 15/11/2023 14:04

'Sterilise' doesn't mean what you think it means.

Why won't you acknowledge that you and your husband are the criminals here and that your (luckily for them) ex tenants are more than likely not?

JellyMops · 15/11/2023 14:07

'I still don't think it's right that tenants can engage in illegal activities (for which they could be imprisoned!) and apparently do so without consequence. I wonder how many people here would be happy in a similar situation?'

And I assume you hold yourself to the same standard and will be writing a letter of apology to the tenant and sending them 3 times their deposit...? Good for you.

On a more realistic note, it's unlikely you found weed. Your description doesn't sound right at all. If you actually want to know if they were smoking weed ask the neighbours, the smell is extremely strong so they'd have known about it.

Sallyh87 · 15/11/2023 14:08

YABU and I think it’s terrible you didn’t put the deposit in the scheme. Pay it back.

I say that as someone who hates drugs in any form.

LubaLuca · 15/11/2023 14:11

Assuming this is weed you've found, why do you need to sterilise the entire house? A bit of residue near a sink can be washed with soapy water. They haven't been jizzing on every solid surface in the the place. Well, they might have been I suppose...

Strawberrypicnic · 15/11/2023 14:11

This must be a joke

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 14:18

LivFG · 15/11/2023 13:50

I'm not sure whether it is sensible to reply as everything I say seems to be twisted against me. This whole situation was completely unexpected, and yes it has upset me. I absolutely hate thinking about what was going on in the property and there is no way I'd ever have allowed this behaviour. I do feel very let down by it all and was incredibly upset yesterday (I still am). I was at the property until midnight cleaning, so contrary to what some may think, I do take cleaning between tenants seriously.

I referred to having to thoroughly sterilise the property because I do not want any other tenants entering and finding an illegal substance!! I certainly don't want them to think that DH or I are the ones who left it - or that we condone illegal behaviours.

As I have now said twice, the deposit will be refunded and I will be doing it today. I still don't think it's right that tenants can engage in illegal activities (for which they could be imprisoned!) and apparently do so without consequence. I wonder how many people here would be happy in a similar situation? But of course it's easy to criticise me.

I agree that the airBnB plan is questionable. I have had words with DH about it again today and have told him numerous times before that I have doubts. I was persuaded by the potentially higher returns, as well as better provisions for any damage or abuse but tbh I expect it will be a nightmare and I'll be the one left to deal with it.

You and your DH act illegally and immorally, does that not upset you?

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 14:19

LubaLuca · 15/11/2023 14:11

Assuming this is weed you've found, why do you need to sterilise the entire house? A bit of residue near a sink can be washed with soapy water. They haven't been jizzing on every solid surface in the the place. Well, they might have been I suppose...

They most likely have! Why wouldn't they?

Chickychoccyegg · 15/11/2023 14:23

This post is hilarious 😂, it surely must be fake

bringbacksideburns · 15/11/2023 14:26

It has to be!!

Aurasauras · 15/11/2023 14:29

YABVU and you are thieving.

listsandbudgets · 15/11/2023 14:30

LivFG · 15/11/2023 03:34

We rented to them on more of an informal basis. DH didn't get round to putting it in the scheme (I told him it needed to be done).

What about the fact we'll now need to get it cleaned from top to bottom? Surely this is something the deposit should protect??

give deposit back, hope they never discover it wasn't in a scheme and move.on. you're lucky they moved out easily it could have cost you a fortune to evict.them so you're winning

Original poster

LivFG · 15/11/2023 14:31

Let me say it again, the deposit will be refunded. As such, I can't be accused of being the immoral one or behaving illegally. It's amazing just how this has been twisted so that I am apparently the one in the wrong when the post was about illegal drug use in my property!!

I understand the point about the deposit scheme - and DH has been firmly told to do the admin properly and to make sure in future everything is done correctly. It certainly wasn't an attempt to 'steal' their deposit. We've had 101 things to deal with over the last year.

It is attitudes like some of those shared here that have resulted in the normalisation of illegal behaviours. I find it all very concerning tbh.

OP posts:

x2boys · 15/11/2023 14:33

LivFG · 15/11/2023 13:50

I'm not sure whether it is sensible to reply as everything I say seems to be twisted against me. This whole situation was completely unexpected, and yes it has upset me. I absolutely hate thinking about what was going on in the property and there is no way I'd ever have allowed this behaviour. I do feel very let down by it all and was incredibly upset yesterday (I still am). I was at the property until midnight cleaning, so contrary to what some may think, I do take cleaning between tenants seriously.

I referred to having to thoroughly sterilise the property because I do not want any other tenants entering and finding an illegal substance!! I certainly don't want them to think that DH or I are the ones who left it - or that we condone illegal behaviours.

As I have now said twice, the deposit will be refunded and I will be doing it today. I still don't think it's right that tenants can engage in illegal activities (for which they could be imprisoned!) and apparently do so without consequence. I wonder how many people here would be happy in a similar situation? But of course it's easy to criticise me.

I agree that the airBnB plan is questionable. I have had words with DH about it again today and have told him numerous times before that I have doubts. I was persuaded by the potentially higher returns, as well as better provisions for any damage or abuse but tbh I expect it will be a nightmare and I'll be the one left to deal with it.

Bless you ,nobody is going to be imprisoned for smoking a bit of weed if that is what it is 😂😂

TBOM · 15/11/2023 14:34

LivFG · 15/11/2023 14:31

Let me say it again, the deposit will be refunded. As such, I can't be accused of being the immoral one or behaving illegally. It's amazing just how this has been twisted so that I am apparently the one in the wrong when the post was about illegal drug use in my property!!

I understand the point about the deposit scheme - and DH has been firmly told to do the admin properly and to make sure in future everything is done correctly. It certainly wasn't an attempt to 'steal' their deposit. We've had 101 things to deal with over the last year.

It is attitudes like some of those shared here that have resulted in the normalisation of illegal behaviours. I find it all very concerning tbh.

I don't think you're understanding the law - even if you refund the deposit now, you acted illegally by not protecting it. So yes you, broke the law.

People like you shouldn't be landlords. You give them a bad name.

justteanbiscuits · 15/11/2023 14:35

You have NO idea, by your own admission, if there was illegal drug taking happening in the property.

You found a sticky residue and some herb like material. Weed generally wouldn't leave a sticky residue for things to stick to on a surface for a start. You have built an entire fantasy, got yourself all worked up over it, and then told us all about your own immoral dealings but get upset when that is pointed out to you.

monicagellerbing · 15/11/2023 14:35

Jesus. Unclench

DeadButDelicious · 15/11/2023 14:36

LivFG · 15/11/2023 14:31

Let me say it again, the deposit will be refunded. As such, I can't be accused of being the immoral one or behaving illegally. It's amazing just how this has been twisted so that I am apparently the one in the wrong when the post was about illegal drug use in my property!!

I understand the point about the deposit scheme - and DH has been firmly told to do the admin properly and to make sure in future everything is done correctly. It certainly wasn't an attempt to 'steal' their deposit. We've had 101 things to deal with over the last year.

It is attitudes like some of those shared here that have resulted in the normalisation of illegal behaviours. I find it all very concerning tbh.

Paying it back doesn't mean you didn't break the law OP. You were meant to protect their deposit, you did not. That's the only confirmed 'illegal activity' that's gone on here. It's not 'admin' it's your duty as a landlord. I wonder what else he doesn't bother doing? You haven't said anything about gas checks etc.

You can fixate on your ex tenants supposed drug use all you like. It's you and your husband who are in the wrong here.

Einszwei · 15/11/2023 14:37

Why bother posting in AIBU if you proceed to ignore the general consensus?