New tenant asks for maintenance work that is financially not viable

[Amadeaa]

My tenants moved in this week. They’ve asked me to undertake maintenance work which they believe are in my responsibility as a landlord, but these works are financially not viable. The costs would exceed the yield of a whole year’s rent with no guarantee that the problem might not reoccur within 6 months. I also don’t have this kind of money available right now. What are my options? They are at the start of a 1-year contract. I don’t think I can terminate the contract without any fault at the tenants side.
Should I offer them money if they agree to terminate the contract early?

Is it something that was clearly visible when they viewed the property, or only once they were living there? Does it make the property unsafe or unhealthy? Do you have an agent?

What sort of maintenance needs doing that is so costly yet your property is still rentable condition?

What maintenance? Just because you can't afford it doesn't mean it's not your responsibility. Have you never been a landlord before? Do you not know what is contractually your responsibility and what is the tenants?

What sort of maintenance is it that needs doing?
No you can not serve notice in a fixed term and also legally you cannot go a retaliatory eviction (which this is) it’s a criminal offence

Like what? Surely they saw the property before they signed the lease? I can't imagine what kind of 'maintenance' work that would wipe out a whole years rent.
However if it's something like a leaking roof then you do have to fix it.

You (genuinely) need to give us an idea of remedial works requested if you want any advice.

Yes what is it

A good contract would give both landlord and tennant the right to terminate the contract early should the property become uninhabitable

Well if the roof is leaking then yes you need to do it. If they happen to fancy a new kitchen cos they don't quite like the one they have they can sod off

Need more info.

Is it something that makes the house uninhabitable or unsafe? Leaking roof, dodgy gas fire etc? If it's cosmetic only then they can jog on.

If it's something like not doing repairs that could affect the tenants safety and security, then they could go to Environmental Health who have powers of enforcement. You could end up being fined.

What is it? If it's damp, or the roof is leaking for example, you need to fix it. If they fancy a new kitchen or similar but the existing one is fine, then less so.

Like everyone else has said, it depends on what it is.

drain tiles, need of a sump pump, windows warped and stuck shut (or is that 101 layers of paint??).
i'm not siding with the renters but as a landlord your rental unit needs to be 100% up to snuff. if not sell please.

You do need to say what the 'maintenance work' is.

Totally depends on what the work is!

I’m guessing dampwork?

We rent, and discovered an issue on our very first day (dodgy - in-safe- back door which we missed because the estate agent opened/closed it). Quite embarrassing to have to ask for a repair at that point, but it was replaced immediately. Eight years on, and we still live in the house and are excellent tenants.

Well no - if it's something that's your responsibility you should do it. Not chuck them out because they want a habitable home.

We really need to know what it is though.

If you throw them out because you won't fix the issues that's a retaliatory eviction and illegal. They could successfully sue you for doing that. What is it that needs doing?

It totally depends what it is. If the property is safe, secure and not damp but perhaps rather tired, the answer is no. The amount a tenant pays is reflected in the state of the property. Refurbishment costs take years to recoup and it is far more lucrative to have a property not in great shape.

I don’t understand how this could be a recurrent issue if fixed. What on earth could recur in 6 months time?

I had exactly the same issue. Tenant want new everything, despite the house being of a very high standard I had so many complaints. After a few months I politely told them they were free to go if they were not happy with the standard of the account. Funny enough all the complaints stopped. You need to be fair but firm !

It’s got to be something like leaky roof or boiler is broken. It’s hard to imagine what could likely recur within six months if fixed though.

It’s related to damp. I was not aware of the issue when putting it on the market. I did all the checks I needed to do like gas certificate , ECIR, fire safety etc and I used an agent to agree and manage the letting because I am a first-time landlord and wanted to be on the safe side, but obviously that wasn’t enough. I want to fulfil my responsibilities and I would never want my tenants to be unsafe, but the question is what do to if the works are genuinely not affordable for me right now.

I will say that your ability to afford or otherwise to make their home habitable isn’t their (the tenants’) problem. You can’t make them go without essentials if that’s what this is, because you don’t have the cash. It’s the downside of being a landlord.