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Original poster

Tenants taking the p*** or is it me?

22 replies

gingergran · 12/12/2011 08:17

Have just re-rented out a house for the second year to a family with four young children. It is a let to a company. The house was completely renovated before they moved in including new kitchen, bathroom, gas, electrics, painted throughout etc.

Whenever there have been problems they have been fixed straight away by professionals.

They have now told me they are going on holiday for 3 weeks and have given me a list of things that they consider need doing, some of which I have no problem with but...they have broken the toilet seat and are asking me to replace it (surely that is their responsibility) and they are asking for the house to be redecorated - only one year after it was last decorated.

What would you do?

OP posts:
dexter73 · 12/12/2011 08:38

I would replace the toilet seat just to be nice but I wouldn't redecorate after a year.

LIZS · 12/12/2011 08:42

Sounds like they have high expectations and if they are a company let they may simply be used to making such requests, and in other coutnries it may come under insurance. Can you liaise with the company rather than the occupiers ? Decor should last up to 5 years so you could ask for a contribution but you may have to accept toilet seat as wear and tear as you (presumably) have accepted a family that size.

MoreBeta · 12/12/2011 09:05

Typically, a company let will pay something of a premium to the LL and are very good long term tenants so are attractive but usually they do want a lot in return.

However, redecorating every year is not a usual part of that package unless agreed up front. If they break things then they should be paying to replace them (or the company should) and if they have trashed the house so much it needs redecorating that also should be paid for by them.

Personally, I think your managing agent needs to sort this out. It is not your job. Is it possible your managing agent is actually really working for the firm and not for you so is really doing the firm's bidding to keep them happy even though you are paying the management fee?

HollyGhost · 12/12/2011 10:57

A new toilet seat can cost

HappyAsEyeAm · 12/12/2011 11:33

What does your lease say about such things?

nocake · 12/12/2011 18:37

I would fix the toilet seat but make it clear that you're doing it out of good will and they will be responsible for any further damage (that isn't wear and tear). I wouldn't redecorate and would suggest that if it needs decorating after a year then they have damaged the walls and should be paying for the damage.

Do you let through a managing agent? MoreBeta is right that they should be telling the tenants what is reasonable and what isn't.

stuffedauberginexmasdinner · 12/12/2011 18:56

You should fix the toilet seat as it is 'fixed' to the house but if they want to redecorate they should do it themselves!

tiredfeet · 12/12/2011 18:58

What does your lease say?

lechatnoir · 16/12/2011 22:06

It sounds like the company has taken on the lease for a flat rental but the occupier sees it as a hotel. I agree with the others, do the seat but 3 years at most for decorating and might also be worth having a chat about what is & isn't your responsibility.
LCN

SeasonsGripings · 17/12/2011 09:07

Don't buy a cheap toilet seat, they break easily and that is probably why your tenants need you to replace this one - we went through 4 seats before I relented and bought a good quality one which lasted for years.
I'd agree to redecorating if they agreed to pay and chose an agreeable colour otherwise I'd say no.

bananamam · 17/12/2011 09:15

We leave it to our tenants to decorate...as long as they leave it decorated in a neutral fashion when they move out. I certainly wouldn't be doing that yearly.

Pekka · 17/12/2011 09:25

Whatever you do, don't get a wooden toilet seat! They are rubbish.
As it is a company let, I think the tenants feel they have a right to expect high quality. I think redecorating after 1 year is unnecessary though.

MAYBELATERNOWIMBUSY · 05/02/2012 01:40

HOW SO WOODEN SEATS ARE RUBBISH ?

MAYBELATERNOWIMBUSY · 05/02/2012 01:40

HOW SO WOODEN SEATS ARE RUBBISH ?

Flatbread · 05/02/2012 19:33

When we were renting, we expected our landlord to replace broken items like toilet seats or leaking taps.

That is part of normal wear and tear and is LL responsibility. Our LL always did this, without any comment, so assume that this is the norm.

If you are getting a premium for a corporate let, you could spend a bit on getting someone to touch up the paint etc. It is up to you how much you value having a corporate let vs. a normal private let. Fwiw, when I had a corporate let in London, the LL left champagne and brand new linen sheets for me. He was getting a nice premium from my employer and he was assured that the rent would be paid on time. Tbh, now that I own, I would jump at the opportunity for someone to take my place through a corporate lease. It is worth the extra work to know that the payments are secure.

mamalovesmojitos · 05/02/2012 19:37

I rent and I rarely ring landlord. Also replace my own toilet seats. I think they are being cheeky.

LadySybilDeChocolate · 05/02/2012 19:42

God, I rent and I do everything. Hmm IIRC, you're responsible for maintaining the structure of the house (windows, roof etc), the gas supply (including the boiler), the electricity supply (but not the white goods unless they were supplied with the house). They are responsible for the decor and the toilet seat.

Flatbread · 05/02/2012 20:12

I really think it depends on the price point, whether it is furnished and also the demand-supply situation.

Employers pay a premium because they appreciate that their employees who have relocated do not have the time or bandwidth to deal with housing issues. The employees/spouses will definitely not go around locating toilet seats and people fix them. This is part and parcel of a corporate let, I am afraid.

(Actually, even when I did a private let, the LL replaced broken toilet seats.)

I honestly do not understand the nickel and dime approach of some UK landlords. Renters, especially corporate renters are renting for a reason, they do not want to deal with house maintenance. What do you think the rent is for...surely part of it is for a bathroom, which includes a functioning toilet seat for the duration of the lease.

MyLittleMiracle · 05/02/2012 21:21

But requiring it being redecorated, while they are away is a bit much especially after a year! They want it redone, they should do it.

Flatbread · 05/02/2012 21:52

I interpreted the redecorating as touch- up on paint and re-fixing stuff which might not been up to scratch when the contractors did repairs. Not a major overhaul.

If you think any request is over and above what you think is reasonable, discuss it with your clients and try to reach an agreement that satisfies both of you. It doesn't help to think that the client 'is taking the piss' or trying to take advantage of you. At the end of the day, they are your customers and you do need to understand things from their perspective.

MyLittleMiracle · 05/02/2012 22:01

But not if they just fancy a change of colour!

Flatbread · 05/02/2012 22:04

Yes, of course, if they fancy a change of colour, that is unreasonable.

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