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Original poster

Unhappy tenant

35 replies

yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 16:27

We're accidental landlords, had to move couldn't sell out old house. Because we're not local anymore we're using a agent to manage the property.

The tenant has been in 3 weeks and we've had a constant stream of complaints. Some are valid and I've agreed to get the sticky lock on the french doors repaired, some I feel are not (the grouting by the shower is discoloured described as filthy), the central heating is hard to control (2 years old with manual provided), they can't work the induction hob (manual provided)

Please share your experiences and tell me how to deal with it all.
We accepted a lower rent because the house was a bit shabby but I'm wondering if we should've done something different.

OP posts:
BuzzardBird · 31/03/2015 16:29

Is there anyone you know that lives nearby that could go around and show them a bottle of bleach, some WD40 and how to read a manual?

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 16:31

I suggested that to the agent who have been round, they come back with another stream of complaints.

OP posts:
BuzzardBird · 31/03/2015 16:37

Does the agent see the tenants point or yours? Maybe if the tenant would like to get out of the contract early it would do you all a favour?

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 16:42

The agent sees ours I think, with a few suggestions which I've agreed to. Looks like we're stuck with them for the full 6 months. They don't want to move early because they've bought a new build which won't be finished until October.
I feel I'm out of my depth.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 31/03/2015 16:46

Do you trust your agent? Is the property fully managed?
In which case tell them to deal with everything as appropriate, and you can ignore them for six months.

BuzzardBird · 31/03/2015 16:52

If it is fully managed they really should be able to sort out the niggles for you, that's the whole point of them ripping you off for 10% isn't it?

NotCitrus · 31/03/2015 17:00

Let the agents deal - it's what you pay them for. Do make sure the deposit is protected, and the agents have photos of condition when they moved in (or failing that, now) in case the tenants try a flit or are trying to argue the place being trashed after wasn't their fault.

Good luck.

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 17:13

The agents do fully manage but they have to ring me up before they spend our money.
Today they've asked for the carpets to be cleaned. They're not dirty, just worn. The same as they were when they viewed the property a month ago.

OP posts:
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 31/03/2015 17:19

They sound like they are taking the proverbial piss to be honest. Things like carpet cleaning should be negotiated BEFORE they move in, if at all!

I would ignore pretty much every point you have mentioned. How can people not know or figure out how to use an induction hob??

BaronessBomburst · 31/03/2015 17:23

You're going to have to be firm here.
Repairs need to be carried out mid-tenancy, but cleaning and decorating, no.
Unless the agents agree that they need cleaning, in which case they should have advised you prior to marketing the property, then the property is as the property was at viewing.
You could counter by offering them a reduced notice period should they wish to leave.

BaronessBomburst · 31/03/2015 17:26

The agents aren't much better either. They didn't need to involve the OP in the matter in the first place. Like Buzzard and Citrus said, that's what they're being paid for.

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 17:30

So let me get this straight, if the house wasn't cleaned to the tenant's satisfaction I'm not liable?
Thanks all for the advice.

OP posts:
CocktailQueen · 31/03/2015 17:31

Yes, sounds like the tenants are being useless/lazy and so are the agents! Tell the agents to deal with things - stuff like how to use the hob they shouldn't be bothering you with, as there is a manual. Other stuff, like carpets - if they didn't notice before they signed the tenancy agreement, tough. Ditto shower grout.

Warning though - they might be stroppy all the way through then try to flit without leaving deposit, so be careful.

Agree with Baroness.

Good luck with them!

anothernumberone · 31/03/2015 17:32

You have my sympathies OP we were accidental landlords for 6 years we had some great tenants and some awful ones. By the end of the 6 years we had every hassle under the sun. The thing was though we were tenants ourselves so we did try our damnedest to be fair because our own first landlord was awful. Maybe tell your agent to deal with the nice to do stuff like improve us to decor by telling the tenants no and tell them to contact you only for the contractually oblidged to do stuff.

LIZS · 31/03/2015 17:38

You can authorise a small amount , say £100 , below which the agent doesn't need to call you . However you should expect itemised bills for any such deductions. Sounds like tenant is playing n your naivety or are unrealistic themselves. Did agents suggest or agree any work or cleaning beforehand ?

mandy214 · 31/03/2015 17:42

Did you have them agree an inventory before they moved in? If they were shown around by the agents who said something along the lines of "don't worry about the grout or the carpets because they'll all be cleaned before you move in" and they weren't, then the tenants have a fair point. Ask the agents exactly what they promised beforehand.

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 17:43

Right, thanks to you lot I've sent the Agents an email saying I won't tolerate any more. I've said we'll only do what is contractually agreed.

Don't think they'll do a bunk, they're building a mansion round the corner. I think they believe they're slumming it for six months.
But if their mansion isn't finished on time they'll want to renew...

OP posts:
Momagain1 · 31/03/2015 17:49

Oh yeah, start advertising it and having your agent show just as soon as contractually allowed. Right when they are needing to sort out the details on the mansion.

BabyGanoush · 31/03/2015 17:52

Your agent needs to deal with this.

Celeriacacaca · 31/03/2015 18:41

Agree with others above. Fair enough French door lock and any other reasonable requests, the other things I'd ignore and let agent deal with. You'll find the more you give, the more they'll take...

Were carpets not cleaned at end of previous tenancy? Did agents tell tenants they would be? Think you need to find out from agent on this one. Generally I'd expect carpets to be cleaned between tenancies.

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 18:44

They weren't cleaned Celeriac, we were living in it until recently. We asked if we should have them replaced (only upstairs, the downstairs in hard floor) and the agent said not to bother.
They're worn but not dirty.

OP posts:
lovingmatleave · 31/03/2015 18:45

Why do people use the term accidental landlords. I work in housing and this is banded about all the time. So people accidentally decide to sign a legally binding agreement with a tenant, and accidentally take a deposit, and accidentally take tenant's money every month? Nothing accidental about that. A lot of private landlords forget about their responsibilities and the fact that they then have to deal with people and that is the difficult part.

And that is what you are paying your agent to do for you so get the to sort it.

ValancyJane · 31/03/2015 18:48

As someone who rented for ten years, I tend to side with the tenants - but this does sound ridiculous! One thought on the induction hob (though I agree your agents should be dealing with all this, not you) could they have not realised you need certain pans in order for it to work? We had one in a flat we lived in and thought it was broken / we couldn't work it at first, but we didn't have the right pans.

Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 18:50

I suppose I use the term because we had to move, couldn't sell the house and couldn't afford to leave it empty.
We didn't buy to let.

OP posts:
Original poster
yeahokthen · 31/03/2015 18:51

Valancy, I left them the instruction booklet, it states which pans to use.
There isn't a book for the venetian blinds Grin

OP posts: