Reply to: Tenants possibly trying it on for house repairs/upgrades?

[Scrag Meister]

Funny, my tenants rang me yesterday, as they have had a leaky shower tray and my plumber went in and suggested that the chipboard flooring need replacing and the easiest thing to do was do away with the shower tray and reverse the bath so the shower was over the bath.

My tenant rang to say just remove the shower and block the pipework we'll use the bath, we don't want you spending too much!

LOL,

[barrydidit]

Btw, you can't claim the cost of the bath as an expense if you're not replacing like with like. That's an improvement and not covered.

[barrydidit]

tulip happens. I had to repaint a hallway once because a dunce tenant fell down the stairs carrying a cup of coffee.

[cailin maith]

They have a small baby - just bloody fix it.

If you are a good landlord, I'd bet my bottom dollar on them being good tenants.

MP is right your post makes you sound like a twat (unintentional or not).

[unixman]

I once had to break in to a flat I rented. I called the agent and explained that it was early hours in the morning and the lock had seized. I asked them to apologise to the landlady on my behalf, but to also say that I had no other option.

Everyone was as good as gold about it. Lock and door fixed the next day. I stayed there until I bought my first house, lovely flat.

Not all landlords are crap. I'm not saying the OP is crap FTAOD, just that some seem quick to criticise anyone who dares to rent out a property.

In 12 years of renting, I never had a problem with my landlord/lady. One shared house had barely changed since the 60s, one day the (live out) landlord re-carpeted the whole thing. My bedroom floor went from lino to carpet just like that. Also the mattress was knackered (no jokes). I complained, brand new mattress turned up a week later. Yes it was the cheapest mattress in the UK, and the new carpet was 1mm thick, but still.

[NibblyPig]

Bit of a popcorn thread, you do sound like a bit of a knob

Ceiling collapses being unnoticed is not uncommon, happened to a mate of mine, didn't have any idea it was coming. Landlord lived in the house and he was a lodger.

Regarding the door, I think they should probably contribute something to the expense although 500 quid seems like a lot of money. If they did something unreasonable then they are at least partially liable. I mean if you're locked in the bog then you've got no choice but to kick it down, but if a door won't open and you can get around it then there's no excuse at all to damage it unless you damaged it by accident trying to fix it and it you are reasonably competent in door fixing.

[MaryPoppins]

Perhaps I shouldn't have included the background, and had the subject as "What should a landlord do in the hypothetical situation whereby his tenants deliberately damage fixtures and fittings, then ask for a replacement?" but there weren't enough characters.

.. If you read the OP I said I don't think they are, but what should I do if they were so I could be ready.

Anyhow, I've asked the same question on exploitedtenantsagainstslumlords.com, I'll see what they come back with.

Perhaps you could have titled it more appropriately since on one hand you appear to accuse them of 'trying it on'. Then you say you don't think they are....then you want a 'plan' in case they are.

[Chuck]

I once had to break in to a flat I rented. I called the agent and explained that it was early hours in the morning and the lock had seized. I asked them to apologise to the landlady on my behalf, but to also say that I had no other option.

Everyone was as good as gold about it. Lock and door fixed the next day. I stayed there until I bought my first house, lovely flat.

Not all landlords are crap. I'm not saying the OP is crap FTAOD, just that some seem quick to criticise anyone who dares to rent out a property.

[rl4engc]

Well, no. The OP is expecting to spend nothing to maintain his investment, and is irritated that his 'hands off' approach hasn't quite worked.

Cheers Mary but you don't need to misquote the post and replace with utter dog tulipe thanks.

Perhaps I shouldn't have included the background, and had the subject as "What should a landlord do in the hypothetical situation whereby his tenants deliberately damage fixtures and fittings, then ask for a replacement?" but there weren't enough characters.

.. If you read the OP I said I don't think they are, but what should I do if they were so I could be ready.

Anyhow, I've asked the same question on exploitedtenantsagainstslumlords.com, I'll see what they come back with.

[vetran]

I haven't any issue with people doing BTL, even though I don't myself, more his attitude in the way he is thinking about the situation.

Some landlords are good ones, others bad, simple as that.

I think he wanted reassurance as well so I doubt he is truly bad.

[MrMarkyMark]

Everyone is getting upset because the OP is a BTLer

I haven't any issue with people doing BTL, even though I don't myself, more his attitude in the way he is thinking about the situation.

Some landlords are good ones, others bad, simple as that.

[MaryPoppins]

No the OP is questioning why two significant events weren't handled better protecting his investment. He is also asking people in the same business is he making good decisions?

Everyone is getting upset because the OP is a BTLer. Their answers are biased on the fairness of the situation.

As mentioned above a leak will give a warning. There was another door that was not used and they damaged a door rather than call out a locksmith or the landlord.

If he had couched it as 'Am I a muppet for not noticing a leak above the kitchen in my own house or forcing a stuck door when I could use the back door?' you would all reply yes probably, just because he rents it then he is supposed to suck it up and pay for them possibly damaging his house on purpose or by stupidity.

The answer I would give is he needs to talk to the tenants and ask them to tell him of anything suspicious such as a stain on the ceiling or a sticky door so he can fix them in good time.

Remind them its his investment and they are to ask him before they do anything to damage it such as forcing the door. Those are both reasonable comments.

In fact, he's asking what strategies he could employ in case they get a taste for trying to rip him off. Which isn't what it sounds like they're doing.

As you say, they should be asked to take more care rather than screwed over should their landlord deem the cost of future repairs too much.

I'm a BTLer so that's nothing to do with it.

[vetran]

Well, no. The OP is expecting to spend nothing to maintain his investment, and is irritated that his 'hands off' approach hasn't quite worked.

No the OP is questioning why two significant events weren't handled better protecting his investment. He is also asking people in the same business is he making good decisions?

Everyone is getting upset because the OP is a BTLer. Their answers are biased on the fairness of the situation.

As mentioned above a leak will give a warning. There was another door that was not used and they damaged a door rather than call out a locksmith or the landlord.

If he had couched it as 'Am I a muppet for not noticing a leak above the kitchen in my own house or forcing a stuck door when I could use the back door?' you would all reply yes probably, just because he rents it then he is supposed to suck it up and pay for them possibly damaging his house on purpose or by stupidity.

The answer I would give is he needs to talk to the tenants and ask them to tell him of anything suspicious such as a stain on the ceiling or a sticky door so he can fix them in good time.

Remind them its his investment and they are to ask him before they do anything to damage it such as forcing the door. Those are both reasonable comments.

[MaryPoppins]

FTFY

Well, no. The OP is expecting to spend nothing to maintain his investment, and is irritated that his 'hands off' approach hasn't quite worked.

[MrMarkyMark]

What an outrageous attitude, OP

The first year fiasco was hardly the tenants' fault now was it? Down to your incompetence by the sound of it.

No profit from the rent? Oh boo hoo but I assume the house is increasing in value.

Be nice to them and they'll be nice back. Be nasty to them and they can cause you much more inconvenience and cost than you could imagine. Although with a new baby I doubt they'd be interested in following that path.

I had a leak which caused the living room ceiling to collapse in my house. There was some discolouration a few weeks beforehand, landlord wasn't interested. When it collapsed, it became an insurance job. Had he tended to it beforehand, it would not have been. Major inconvenience for me as it took weeks to fix and I was without a bathroom for 7 days.

Your tenants shouldn't have knackered the door, I agree, but don't punish them for what sounds like a mistake. I hardly think they are planning a series of home improvements through damaging your property - not after 2 years. But if this might cross their minds, ensure that the property is properly maintained and ask them if everything's ok.

Obviously from the Hoogstraten school of landlords