Satisfactory..

[SereneGoose]

I changed from being host to a wonderful Ukrainian family to being their landlady a year ago. The property (we don't live there) has just been checked by the management agency and given a satisfactory rating. There's definitely some things that need updated/ improved but nothing urgent.
The thing is I'm charging well below market rent..so unless I increase the rent I cant afford the improvements...
Wwyd?

Why did you go through an agent?

Long story...it has been on the whole a good thing.
I live out of town..the flat is 17thc and has needed lots of work over the years.

So hardly a surprise

I wouldn’t have involved a MA

You have presumably known one another and trust one another for years

Thank you. I think it's one of those questions where one knows the answer. Obviously..I just need to explain the situation and discuss what's reasonable from both sides. But appreciate you responding.

If it’s satisfactory does it need the improvements?

Id probably put the rent up to market rate as fast as you can. People often don’t reward kindness and you’ll probably find you’ve got ungrateful tenants on your hands

If it needs work… I wouldn’t feel comfortable anyone living there
Let alone people I am close to!

Isn’t there a middle road? Up the rent a bit, and do only the works that have the most impact / are most necessary?

Yep..we need to sit down and talk through. Thank you. X