Landlord responsibilities

[feelinlucky]

Not sure if this is the right section to post but I'm renting out my flat and managing the rental myself rather than using an agent. I'm concerned that my tenant isn't clear about her responsibilities and that she has expectations of me that aren't realistic but I've never done this before so I'm looking for some advice please? For example she rang me tonight at home, she has no electricity and expected me to sort it out. Apparently her meter ran out and she thinks the electricity company have mixed up the boards with a neighbours! I'm generally confused and tried to explain to her that she would have to take it up with the electricity company. She was very hostile and I'm fed up with her ringing me all hours! Any advice would be very gratefully received.

As a trainee solicitor who specialises in landlord and tenant disputes, I would recommend that you get some legal advice asap.

Other posters are correct about the harsh sanctions that can apply if you don't protect the deposit within 30 days of receiving it. Your tenant can claim for the return of the deposit and up to three times its value in damages.

More importantly you won't be able to lawfully evict your tenant until the deposit issue has been resolved (unless your tenant breaches her obligations i.e. stops paying rent)

I would suggest that you return the deposit to your tenant. Although your tenant may still claim against you, it makes it less likely and it means you can serve notice.

If you intend to continue being a landlord you may want to consider using a letting agent or getting some advice regarding your obligations. It's all well and good having a something informal in place but you can really come unstuck if you fall out with your tenant.

I repeat, I WORKED to buy this property. For two decades.

There is no such thing as luck.

and yes, of course it is all done properly and any problems will be sorted ASAP. It is indeed a business and a service.

so many on here think it is a crime to make money from providing a human need. They must all grow their own food and live in houses where they pay no rent or mortgage.

those who pay mortgages pay for other people. We all pay for other people. It is how it works.

BTW a few years back it was cheaper to rent than to pay a mortgage on the same property. Now it is the other way round, if of course you can get the mortgage (funding for lending? Ha!)

renters are not a lower form of life, although again that seems to be an opinion held here. I think my tenant could buy if he wished to, but he doesn't wish to.