One of my tenants is not keeping the house tidy?
I have let my house through a letting agent and the tent is a single mother of two. Shes been in the house for almost 2 years.
The house was gutted top to bottom before she moved in. As the last tenant trashed it. the issue is we think there is a partner living with her. The house is kept untidy with scuffs on walls and carpets.
I have told the agent to send a letter to to the tenant to say the condition is not acceptable and will not renew the tenancy when it is due in February.
Is there anything else I can do?
Many thanks
Pradip
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Member Since October 2018 - Comments: 71
1:36 PM, 25th October 2018, About 7 years ago
Does the agent not do regular inspections ?
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 360
9:26 PM, 25th October 2018, About 7 years ago
Re inspections – what’s that going to solve ? Do you think a pig is going to turn into a peacock ? Besides you cannot police the place 24/7.
Pradip – all you can do is not renew the tenancy. Always limit how much money you spend on repairs and refurbishments. Tenants NEVER look after something that is not theirs.
Another case of that some people do not deserve to be given a house and should be allocated the nearest cave.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 197
10:09 AM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
If the rent is always paid and no other problems are giving you cause for concern, I would suggest you accept that some folk do live in a bit of a mess. Any damage, beyond fair wear and tear, can lead you to claim against the deposit at the final end of tenancy. These situations are always frustrating as we wish we could always have someone look after the place as we would. We must remember that letting a property involves on-going work. Its not a ‘money for nothing’ business. Good luck though.
Member Since July 2014 - Comments: 128
10:10 AM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by AA at 25/10/2018 – 21:26
If your expectations, AA, are that tenants will NEVER look after your property, I guess they never will.
Since first letting out properties in 2009, I have tried to find tenants looking for a home. Surprise, surprise, most treat it very well. Even the worst are merely untidy and a bit messy.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 31
10:19 AM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by AJ at 25/10/2018 – 13:36
Thank you for your comment. Yes they visit every 6 months.
And if need be anytime i ask them too.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
10:31 AM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
Is it really worth throwing out a tenant who I assume is paying rent on time just because they are untidy and there are a few stuffs and marks on walls and carpets ? You’ll have a void period and the cost of finding a new tenant again so what are you really going to achieve here. You might end up with another tenant who is untidy also.
So long as they’re paying you the rent just sit tight and worry about it when they eventually move out, which could be many years who knows. (Could that they tidy up and re decorate before they leave).
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 4
10:39 AM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
I agree with Dylan you may as well keep renting to them if they are paying the rent
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 306
12:12 PM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
I also agree with Dylan
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 360
12:18 PM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Cognito at 26/10/2018 – 10:10
Renting properties since 1988. Cumulative tenancies circa 900 in total to date. In this business you have 2 options – go in with low expectation s and hope you don’t come out disappointed or you go in pie eyed delusional until reality bites.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 222
2:26 PM, 26th October 2018, About 7 years ago
I also agree leave them in if the rent coming in on time. My longest standing tenant was in situ when I bought his flat. It was untidy then and is probably worse now. You can’t dictate how people keep their homes or the conditions they choose to exist in.
He is no trouble, and the rent is perfectly regular. Your people are simply lining themselves up for a deposit argument when they finally do leave, and you will have to expect they will try to make the deposit the last month’s rent. This is a situation where it is useful to have got the inventory done by an independent party.
The other issue is the partner. If he’s there often enough to contribute to the untidiness, he should definitely be on the tenancy agreement. Suppose she moves out with the children leaving him in residence?
Minefield.
Gunga Din