Can tenant claim disrepair when they have got kitchen in this state?
An elderly (aged 80), long standing tenant told me on Thursday that she needs work done in her kitchen and I said I would get my builder to see what could be done.
Then I looked in the kitchen – there were dirty dishes stacked around and in the sink. The drawers are totally smashed. I opened the under-sink cupboard – the back is completely broken. And there are loads of mouse droppings. I didn’t look any further. I said this is not acceptable and I am not calling anyone in until and unless she cleans the kitchen. I don’t expect anyone to work in those conditions.
I called in on Friday and said my builder would be up later in the morning (he was in the area) and asked if she had cleaned up.
She hadn’t – and she absolutely lost it with me. Shouting and making all sorts of accusations. Told me what a dreadful landlord I am – said she is going to the Council to get another house.
She has been with me since 1994 (moved into current house in 2017) and I have looked after her in many ways. The kitchen units were not new (installed in 2012) but were in good condition (I have photos). (They were originally flat-pack from Wickes). I have kitchen units (also flat-pack) in my home which are much older and they are still fine.
I deal with issues from all my tenants – including this one – very quickly, but her behaviour this time has really crossed the line.
The kitchen is small, but I can’t do anything about that. She said she wants the worktops shallower, but you can’t get a shallower cooker (one side) or a shallower sink unit (the other side). And why on earth should I keep spending money when she doesn’t look after things? (New bath 2018 – split by 2021. How on earth do you split a bath?) (I have now installed a nice shower at her request.)
I am tempted to issue a S21. Can she claim disrepair?
If she does go to the Council, I’m pretty sure they will do all they can to keep her in that house – I doubt they have anywhere to offer her.
Who deals with disrepair claims?
Is it the Council?
Smithy
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Member Since September 2013 - Comments: 62
11:51 AM, 11th June 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Maguire at 07/06/2022 – 14:26
Hi Paul,
You are making a couple of very big assumptions here which are not necessarily correct and hopefully Smithy can clarify.
Where does it say it was a cheap bath, there are some very high quality expensive acrylic baths.
Where does it say units were ripped out from one property and installed in this one, I read it that they were installed 5 years before the tenant moved in but were still in good, serviceable condition.