UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi everyone, thoughts please?

A tenant contacted me last night to inform me they'd "left a candle on a wooden bath plank for a short time, the candle exploded, set fire to the wooden bath plank, they've gone back upstairs to discover a fire, they called the fire brigade..."

They've messaged me a photo of the damage, it's isolated to one end of the bath which has, in parts melted.

They also messaged me a photo of the fire brigades report which says the bath can no longer be used. Its a shower over bath set up and that's the only bathroom in the house so they have no washing facilities.

The tenants are mostly ok although they want to speak to me regularly about drama's of their own creation. I have found several times that the tenant is "an unreliable narrator". (But believe the bath fire).

They are up to date with all rent, although every 3 months or so they test to see if I wont notice if they don't pay, when I stress the importance of not annoying me, they pay....

What would you do?

Easy one.issue S21.I am an easy going soul and allow for all sorts of little foibles with tenants.I draw the line with pyromaniacs.

I wouldn't want tenants in who are capable of setting fire to a bath for obvious reasons. I wouldn't expect my children to do that, let alone an adult!

They're obviously liable for repair costs aswell, either upfront or via the deposit.

I'd definitely require upfront repair costs from them.

You may end up needing their deposit for something else when they (finally) vacate following your S21.

Quote from: HandyMan on January 06, 2023, 04:19:49 PMYou may end up needing their deposit for something else when they (finally) vacate following your S21.

This is a point you must not miss out on... don't let this pass you by. Fixing it all now and thinking you'll make a Deposit deduction (even if it covers the amount now - likely?) just means it'll be consumed with other stuff at the end of the tenancy.

Obviously there's the Insurance aspect to this... the Tenant could easily suggest you take a look at your Insurance Policy to see what's covered "My Tenant is an imbecile, am I covered?"... there'll be a section for that in your policy document, but, if they did, that would persuade me even more down the Section 21 solution route.

Quotethe Tenant could easily suggest you take a look at your Insurance Policy to see what's covered

If you do claim on insurance (a course of action that I would not recommend), note that this will likely increase your future premiums, and for the next 5 years, you will have to answer that annoying question "Have you made any claims on your insurance...".

This is 100% the tenant's responsibility, so they should cover the costs of you having to make good.

Thank you,

Section 21 or section 8, if they have set fire to a fixture surely its grounds for Breach if Tenancy?

Quote from: Adam M on January 09, 2023, 07:12:13 PM
Thank you,

Section 21 or section 8, if they have set fire to a fixture surely its grounds for Breach if Tenancy?

It's not an either/or situation. If you can use section 21 then use section 21, it's way way easier.

They "broke it, they need to fix it"....write to them to say they are responsible and they will need to replace the bath ( inc fitting) at their cost or you will initiate the work and invoice them.  Failure to pay....small claims court and then an S21.