Page 4 | 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?

justanothermanicmonday1 · 15/11/2023 04:42

Oh please.

Another terrible landlord looking to rinse people of their money and so close to Christmas.

Even if it was weed, you're massive over exaggerating the expense. Get a Detol spray and just wipe everything down. Won't cost you hundreds of pounds. Get a grip.

Oh ...... and good luck with the air b&b venture. You'll definitely be in for a rough ride 😂

EmmaGrundyForPM · 15/11/2023 04:43

@LivFG so you're upset by your tenants possible illegal behaviour but your (much more serious) illegal behaviour is ok? Why are you in tears (really?) about someone possibly smoking dope, but perfectly happy to not protect the deposit?

I really hope your ex tenants claim compensation from you. You have acted appallingly.

Original poster

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:44

For goodness sake - this post wasn't about the morals of renting. I am a very good landlord and we were renting below market value IMO. But that isn't the point. And to be honest, I am pretty shocked that this sort of behaviour is apparently so acceptable to most of you.

OP posts:

YerArseInParsley · 15/11/2023 04:45

maybejustonemoretime · 15/11/2023 04:34

Some times they might have said swear words too and done big shits in the toilet.

Oh no, not the swear words. Are you deliberately trying to give op a breakdown 🤣

goababy · 15/11/2023 04:48

This must be a reverse? Surely?

You don't know it's weed. Even if it is, it sounds like it's just a bit spilled on a surface and no any major damage? What exactly do you think "bleaching everything" would do if there had been weed in the property, and why don't you do this anyway?

You haven't put their deposit in the scheme (which is is requirement of being a landlord).

And as others have said, if you think a bit of weed is bad, wait until you Airbnb...

justanothermanicmonday1 · 15/11/2023 04:48

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:44

For goodness sake - this post wasn't about the morals of renting. I am a very good landlord and we were renting below market value IMO. But that isn't the point. And to be honest, I am pretty shocked that this sort of behaviour is apparently so acceptable to most of you.

You don't know for a fact it was weed residue. Get a grip and pull yourself together.

Fourlegsandatail · 15/11/2023 04:49

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:44

For goodness sake - this post wasn't about the morals of renting. I am a very good landlord and we were renting below market value IMO. But that isn't the point. And to be honest, I am pretty shocked that this sort of behaviour is apparently so acceptable to most of you.

But you aren’t a very good landlord if you are failing to protect their deposit. That’s the most basic legal requirement and you failed.

daisychain01 · 15/11/2023 04:49

The point isn't the cleaning! It's the fact illegal activities have taken place in a property I own .

Did you make it abundantly clear you would not tolerate any form of drug use in the property in advance of renting it to them?

If not you'd be very unreasonable to retain their deposit.

Deposits aren't there to enforce legislation they are to compensate damage so if you're saying its to punish them for breaking the law that doesn't have direct implications on the fabric of your property you aren't acting in the spirit of the deposit scheme You're going about it the wrong way. It's the reason why a 3rd party normally holds the deposit to ensure landlords don't use any old excuse to keep it.

miri1985 · 15/11/2023 04:51

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:44

For goodness sake - this post wasn't about the morals of renting. I am a very good landlord and we were renting below market value IMO. But that isn't the point. And to be honest, I am pretty shocked that this sort of behaviour is apparently so acceptable to most of you.

I think much worse of you and your DH for your airbnb plans than I do of your tenants for maybe doing illegal drugs.

I lived next door to an airbnb without planning permission, several times I could smell weed from people smoking out the back garden.

creamteaandfishcakes · 15/11/2023 04:51

Crazy... get a grip. It may be weed, it may not. just any old excuse to keep their deposit.

SomersetDreams · 15/11/2023 04:53

Concentrate on making a mint with your Airbnb and take hubby out for nice meal.

You will soon foret this worry :)

Its more acceptable now but police arent ivestigating these minor things, so to speak ven if still illegal.

Ownedbyabeagle · 15/11/2023 04:53

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:44

For goodness sake - this post wasn't about the morals of renting. I am a very good landlord and we were renting below market value IMO. But that isn't the point. And to be honest, I am pretty shocked that this sort of behaviour is apparently so acceptable to most of you.

You're not a very good landlord though are you? You seem to keep skimming over the bit where you have broken the law.
You're not even sure that it is weed but we are 100% sure you broke the law by not putting their deposit in the scheme.

Original poster

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:53

@daisychain01 I do understand this (and thank you for putting it clearly like this). As I have said, clearly I am now aware that I will have to give back the deposit, and I am certainly not going to act illegally.

I don't think the contract will have referenced drug use (DH did all of the admin stuff) but will check. But even if it doesn't - what am I supposed to do? State every illegal activity in the contract and ask for a signature?

OP posts:

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 04:55

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:44

For goodness sake - this post wasn't about the morals of renting. I am a very good landlord and we were renting below market value IMO. But that isn't the point. And to be honest, I am pretty shocked that this sort of behaviour is apparently so acceptable to most of you.

You are not a very good landlord!!

Fourlegsandatail · 15/11/2023 04:56

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:53

@daisychain01 I do understand this (and thank you for putting it clearly like this). As I have said, clearly I am now aware that I will have to give back the deposit, and I am certainly not going to act illegally.

I don't think the contract will have referenced drug use (DH did all of the admin stuff) but will check. But even if it doesn't - what am I supposed to do? State every illegal activity in the contract and ask for a signature?

No. Clauses regarding illegal activities are there to make it easier to evict problem tenants during the tenancy, not to be a nice little earner for you to hang on to their deposit once it’s ended.

Whiteday · 15/11/2023 04:58

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:22

I was in tears earlier. It might not come across well, but this has all really shaken and upset me.

Surely doing anything illegal in the property would count as a breach of tenancy? Or you can just rent anything, start doing illegal activities, and that's okay now?

Could you explain how keeping their deposit would stop you being upset? How would it help? How would it stop your tears?

Do you think having an Airbnb with your nervous disposition is a wise idea?
Imagine what could go on with a steak if people you don't know going through the property?

JustJoinedRightNow · 15/11/2023 05:00

Are you even feeling guilty for bumping them out of their home just so you can rent it out as an air bnb for more money, in your own words?
This is the problem with the housing crisis. These homes all sit there waiting for air bnb renters and families are left without homes.
Wake up to yourself. Absolute money grabbing landlords.

AelinGalathynius · 15/11/2023 05:02

Are you for real? The way you talk about their illicit drug related activities you’d think you found their meth lab in the basement. Even if it is weed residue (how are you so certain?) it’s highly unlikely they used the house as the base for a huge drug dealing operation. Clean up whatever residue was left behind and forget about it. You won’t be arrested because your ex-tenants smoked weed in your property.

Gotta say though, you’re in for a big shock on AirBnB if you think this is bad. People renting short term for holidays are much more likely to be there to party. Weed is about the tamest thing they’ll be doing in your property!

Missymooo322133 · 15/11/2023 05:03

God help the shock you'll have when you start cleaning after your Air BnB guests.

FiveShelties · 15/11/2023 05:06

LivFG · 15/11/2023 04:22

I was in tears earlier. It might not come across well, but this has all really shaken and upset me.

Surely doing anything illegal in the property would count as a breach of tenancy? Or you can just rent anything, start doing illegal activities, and that's okay now?

Talk about jumping the shark.

Great effort though. But a little too much imagination😂

Giggorata · 15/11/2023 05:06

I think you should calm down.
What makes you think this “residue” is anything to do with marijuana? Would you even recognise it if you saw it?

And if you are upset to this degree over something so trivial (because it is, in the scheme of things) you really won't enjoy running an Air B and B.

CherryMyBrandy · 15/11/2023 05:07

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??

You're worrying about their "illegal activity" when you have acted illegally by not putting their deposit in a protection scheme!?! Your crime is way worse. Have your head a wobble! And return their bloody deposit.

Notwhatyouwanttohear · 15/11/2023 05:07

You are not a good landlord if you can't even follow the rules and protect their deposit and then kick them out to make it an air b&b

Please withhold their deposit because of your hysteria and I hope they take you for THREE TIMES it's worth because of your incompetence

Moogoopixie · 15/11/2023 05:09

Ridiculous it's their money not yours

monsteramunch · 15/11/2023 05:11

If you withhold it then you'd better hope they don't have a quick google OP.,,