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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at letting agent

29 replies

Dodosareextinct · 22/12/2023 15:01

Currently in the process of renting our house out as we are moving abroad for work for a year. The decorating in the kids rooms (toddlers) was quite bright but (imo) tastefully decorated and only done 6 months ago (before we realised we'd be moving). Letting agent said we would likely need to redecorate as any tenants would probably want neutral decor. However, we explicitly told them not to carry out the work until we had tenants lined up as we may find someone who had similar aged kids who wanted to keep the decor. Decor was nothing mad, it was some pastel rainbows and pink paint. The LA confirmed they wouldn't do the work. We haven't even moved our stuff out of the house properly yet and we are still using it part time until we move fully abroad in the New Year. Our plan if we can't rent it was to sell it.
We have been invoiced today for redecorating...rang the LA and it turns out they never told their decorating team who have gone in, removed all the wallpaper and painted everywhere white! I'm devastated! I know we were moving out anyway but I'd hoped we wouldn't have to redecorate and the fact someone went unto our house without our permission where a lot of our stuff is still there makes me feel uneasy.

So, is there anything we can do? I don't think we should pay the invoice but I also feel like there should be some compensation from the LAs

OP posts:
QuitMoaning · 22/12/2023 15:04

I can understand why you are angry but what exactly do you want compensation for? I agree about not paying the invoice if you explicitly told them not to.

Original poster
Dodosareextinct · 22/12/2023 15:08

I was thinking maybe compensation in respect of what we paid the decorators who did the decorating 6 months ago?

OP posts:
Tiredbehyondbelief · 22/12/2023 15:08

If you decide to sell neutral colour is better. If you refuse to pay and there is nothing in the contract and nothing in writing they will have to take you to the small claims court. Do you have an alternative agent to instruct should the need arise?

FuzzyPuffling · 22/12/2023 15:11

Dodosareextinct · 22/12/2023 15:08

I was thinking maybe compensation in respect of what we paid the decorators who did the decorating 6 months ago?

🤣🤣🤣
No chance. You're moving out. It's one of those things.
( I'd hate pink and rainbows and wouldn't find it tasteful at all but a very personal choice).

Z1hun · 22/12/2023 15:12

Good luck getting any money back from the LA! Why where they involved in redecoration anyway? When I let my property they didn't care what it looked like. That was with Countrywide.

purpleme12 · 22/12/2023 15:16

Well I wouldn't be paying the invoice

Mummyofthewildones · 22/12/2023 15:18

I dont think you will get any compensation, but I certainly wouldn't be paying the invoice when you expressly told them not to change the decor.

MrsMoastyToasty · 22/12/2023 15:19

Tell them you're reporting them to the Property Ombudsman.

dontgobaconmyheart · 22/12/2023 15:23

Decorating team? Never heard of this?

How exactly did they gain access to the property? That would be my primary concern. Accessing a property without permission and effectively damaging it is not legal.

I wouldn't pay for the works, no and would be meeting with whoever was in charge to understand quite what on earth has happened here.

It is an aside but ultimately they are right that clinging on to the decor is a bit daft and you are making the property less appealing. If you rent it out, it's the home of whoever has signed that contract to enjoy. They aren't your placeholders or housesitters maintaining your home as is until you want it back.

SnowsFalling · 22/12/2023 15:27

"Not paying the bill" is an empty threat if they are managing the house for you (and with you being abroad, I hope you are going for fully managed).
Our letting agent just deducted any invoices from the rent recieved before passing the balance on.

Original poster
Dodosareextinct · 22/12/2023 15:27

Totally agree that it's up to whatever tenants we find on how they want the decor. And if it was the case that a tenant had asked to redecorate I would have been absolutely fine with it. So I think it's more the principle that they went in and did it when no tenants have requested it, they haven't even found a tenant to rent it yet and we told them not to do it! They have a key to conduct viewings which is how they gained access

OP posts:
TurnthePotatoes · 22/12/2023 15:30

Don't know about compensation but you cannot be charged for something not agreed to. I'd report them to the Ombudsman and find new agents.
It's not just about the money it's about trust. If they did this against your word what else are they going to do when you're abroad and know nothing about it?

friendlyflicka · 22/12/2023 15:32

I find letting agents are totally incompetent and unreliable and I have tried every firm in our town. I would write a letter of complaint and make it very clear you will complain to ombudsman if they take any money for the redecorating

GabriellaMontez · 22/12/2023 15:35

Yes I'd expect them to pay to put it back to how it was. Perhaps they'll be more careful in future.

Greenpolkadot · 22/12/2023 15:35

Never mind compensation.id be raising one big kick arse session. Theyv done work that you didn't authorise..so don't pay for it

sparkellie · 22/12/2023 16:46

TurnthePotatoes · 22/12/2023 15:30

Don't know about compensation but you cannot be charged for something not agreed to. I'd report them to the Ombudsman and find new agents.
It's not just about the money it's about trust. If they did this against your word what else are they going to do when you're abroad and know nothing about it?

This

Catza · 22/12/2023 18:02

This is wrong on so many levels..
You are not obligated to pay invoice for the work you haven't explicitly agreed to and the cost of which has not been made clear to you prior to the work being carried out.
The LA essentially entered your property under a false pretense (which can possibly constitute breaking and entering). Did you sign any agreement with them? What does it say about property access.
On a personal note, "neutral décor" is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. You cannot get any property that is anything either than "neutrally decorated" so I am not sure that tenants have much of a choice. We rent through an independent landlord and have tastefully but very colourfully decorated house and we absolutely love it. I can't handle another white wall after renting for 20 years!
I would contact CAB in the first instance to see what legal rights you have as far as unauthorised access and works being carried out.

jammysocks · 22/12/2023 18:07

That's very silly of the LA. I rent and they will not do a single thing without the Landlords consent. And I mean when I called and said there was a leak and it was coming through my wardrobe. They didn't even send an emergency plumber without the landlords consent. Which I thought was even more mad as it ruined the ceiling and some of the built in wardrobes... doesn't seem to be a balance when it comes to LAs.

Daphnis156 · 22/12/2023 18:15

Good luck in getting anything back from the agents.
But whoever did you think would like a pink room with rainbows- whether they have children or not?
In the end the agents have merely done what you would have had to do.
Will you be exporting your decorating tastes with you....?

Popcorn23 · 23/12/2023 00:02

The letting agent should not have had the room redecorated without your permission but they do understand that you are more likely to find tenants if you have neutral walls. It was always unlikely you would find tenants who would be keen on pink with rainbows decor.

But I agree they shouldn't invoice you when they made a mistake.

Popcorn23 · 23/12/2023 00:02

The letting agent should not have had the room redecorated without your permission but they do understand that you are more likely to find tenants if you have neutral walls. It was always unlikely you would find tenants who would be keen on pink with rainbows decor.

But I agree they shouldn't invoice you when they made a mistake.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 31/12/2023 08:57

QuitMoaning · 22/12/2023 15:04

I can understand why you are angry but what exactly do you want compensation for? I agree about not paying the invoice if you explicitly told them not to.

The cost of returning it to how OP had it!

OP I’d also be changing letting agents-remember they’re working for you!

MrsDrSpencerReid · 31/12/2023 09:01

I’d be livid OP. No way would I trust them to manage your property while abroad.

When we were selling our first home, our DD’s room had 4 different coloured walls and one was a mural of the sky with a big rainbow and clouds. Every agent we had come through said we’d have to repaint before we sold.
It ended up being the selling point for the family that bought it!

Sodndashitall · 31/12/2023 09:12

Compensation is a bit OTT. But you can challenge the invoice for the work if you clearly told them, ideally in writing, not to do the work. Then they did it at their risk.

Ginnnny · 31/12/2023 09:46

Definitely fight that invoice. The LA shouldn’t be doing anything to your property - apart from emergency works - without your approval. I’d also consider a different LA if your current one was so careless not to contact a decorating team to cancel a job!

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