Is my letting agent responsible for lost rent and damages?
1 year ago | 6 comments
Tenant always pays on time. Should I issue a warning?
9:12 AM, 4th November 2024, 1 year ago
22
Hello, I have a tenant who always pays on time and respects the property. One of his neighbours has been known to be a little standoffish on occasion, but my tenant has now twice responded to the neighbour by shouting back when she argues with him. Last time he told her that if she doesn’t like where he stores his bike, she ought to call up the council.
To be fair, he left his bike in the correct place and the neighbour wouldn’t call the council because the neighbour literally has her scooter in a similar area (they are both technically breaking the rules but there’s really nowhere else safe for them to leave them. None of the neighbours care. It’s out of the way anyway.
She just wanted the best spot for herself, but to do so would mean his bigger bike would overhang walkway of everyone else and he says that’s bad, so he has to use the bigger space so neither of their vehicles are in anyone’s way). Long story short, he was in the right last time. Anyway, the neighbour downstairs has again had a verbal disagreement with him and she’s got my number, so she called me again.
My wife says we should take sides with the neighbour and issue our tenant a warning ⚠️ tell him he needs to not shout back when confronted. But I personally think “he’s always paid us on time and he looks after the property really well. He’s a good tenant to us. I’m not taking sides against my own tenant. If the neighbour doesn’t like him shouting, she shouldn’t start arguments with him”
What would you do? Should we issue him a warning and tell him we think he’s in the wrong? Or should we let these adults live their own life and be responsible for themselves?
Thank you,
Marcus
Tags:
landlord, tenant dispute
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1575
9:17 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
None of your business so long as the bikes are not causing a problem (fire risk etc.,).
Let them behave like adults.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
9:34 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
You’ve got a good tenant who always pays on time and respects the property. You seem to think he’s in the right and not the neighbour, so not sure why you would want to issue him with a warning. He’s not causing anti social behaviour so it’s not your problem, seems you have a troublesome neighbour. Just let them get on with it.
Member Since April 2020 - Comments: 29
9:38 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Your tenant is right, as long as there is no fire risk or exit obstruction. He is also right in telling her to contact the Council if she has a problem, which is exactly what I would be telling her if she had contacted me as the Landlord. It would be different if he was playing loud music all night, but he isn’t. Why would you take the neighbours side over a good tenant?
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
10:18 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
There are 2 sides to every argument. Keep out of it, its not anti-social behaviour
Member Since July 2016 - Comments: 166
10:23 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
I would keep out of it.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1137
10:44 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
It’s irrelevant who is right. You’re his landlord, not his life coach. Stay out of it. If the neighbour complains to you remind them of the above.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
11:45 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
So you have the blessing of a prompt paying tenant who respects the property with whom you have a contractual relationship, which seems to be working well.
Meantime, you also have a neighbour who seems to be confrontational and selfish.
Provided your tenant is not obstructing a fire escape or access to other properties, I fail to see why you would consider taking the neighbour’s side, and maybe even risk losing your good tenant.
Remember too that when you come to sell, you should declare neighbour disputes.
Whichever way you look at it, based on the facts you’ve provided, you’re better off not getting involved.
Member Since November 2015 - Comments: 584
11:53 AM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
In my opinion you should have your tenant’s back. The neighbour is in the wrong and your wife wants to make the tenant feel that his home is threatened because he defended himself. Obviously you should avoid making things worse by involving yourself in something which isn’t in your remit.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 403
12:08 PM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
I would issue both with verbal warnings that each tenant is legally entitled to peace and enjoyment of their premises and if they don’t pack it in then issue written warnings to both. Perhaps initially call a meeting and mediate.
You don’t want the situation to escalate.
As landlord you set out where bikes to be stored to meet Fire Safety Regs.
Member Since September 2024 - Comments: 95
3:06 PM, 4th November 2024, About 1 year ago
Why risk upsetting a good Tenant? The only one who will lose out is you!!
If the neighbour phones you again politely explain that it’s a matter to be resolved between the neighbour and your Tenant as this particular issue isn’t enforceable under the Tenancy Agreement.