UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi there.
So I have a tenant that has given notice to leave after only a year.
Ever since giving the notice to leave they have been really quite rubbish at answering emails.

Now we need to arrange a check out date and that is proving fun.
BUT I have also asked for them to let me into the property this week so that I can have a quick walk around before they move out to just check on what needs to be done.
Really so that I can let them know what they need to fix,clean or paint before they leave. Giving them enough notice to do so.

They are being very awkward about letting me in. And come up with all sorts of excuses as to not letting me in.
I am also going away so I have to do it this week or not at all.

I know its not a serious question but hey all advice helps.
thanks for reading

It is a serious question.  You're trying to make their life easier, cost them less in potential deposit retentions.  If they're not willing to help themselves by getting a tip off, do the checkout and deduct accordingly, I bet they ask to go back in once the tenancy has ended to rectify little things, this is obviously a no no.

I had tenants who smashed a door, I was willing to fit it myself and charge them jus the costs, their 'dad' was doing it for them prior to the tenancy ending which never happened, door still missing so I just employed a joiner to do it, no work on my behalf and a bill way higher for the tenants than it needed to be.

You don't need to physically visit to check and then let them know what they specifically need to be doing to avoid deposit deductions. This can be done in a more abstract way if you're prepared. This is a brief excerpt from my Check-Out document - this has always been enough to get Tenants to focus their attention on doing the right thing... and if they did not then a modest deduction has always been accepted.

Damage caused by normal wear and tear for the period of your occupation is acceptable but please do note that other damage, breakages, missing items and / or cleaning will result in deductions being requested from your deposit. Any required repairs, removals or cleaning will be carried out by contracted professionals and will be charged to the Tenant(s). Some examples, for guidance only, would include:

· Full oven clean – £60
· Contract Cleaner – £88 (minimum charge)
· Contract Cleaner – £136 (full end of tenancy clean)
· Carpet cleaning only – £80
· General Handyman – £45 call-out then £30 per half-hour
· Light bulbs – cost of bulbs + £10 (for costs / time in sourcing and fitting)
· Removal of personal belongings or rubbish – from £66

As can easily be seen, these items can soon add up to a large amount. In order to avoid any unnecessary charges please aim to hand the property back in the same condition and state of cleanliness as it was when you first occupied it. It was specifically noted in the INVENTORY AND SCHEDULE OF CONDITON that some items left behind would not be assessed at CHECK-OUT and all of these will be honoured. Please do not forget to clean any of the less obvious places such as the fridge, freezer, kitchen extractor fan, cutlery drawer, all kitchen units, washing machine and its loading drawer, skirting boards, shower heads, shower screens, behind doors and inside wardrobes. Please remember to remove all of your personal belongings – leaving the Landlord to either store or remove any items left behind will incur unnecessary deductions from your deposit. The objective of conducting the CHECK-OUT with Landlord and Tenant(s) present is to try and agree any deposit deductions amicably and immediately, to avoid any delays in return of the deposit. If the Tenant(s) is aware of any issues that might be uncovered later it would always be very much appreciated if they are identified before or at the CHECK-OUT.

These nebulous costs are really just listed to focus minds... people seem to think it's then worth their time to go and buy a light bulb.

My best one?

I may have said this before on here... but a Tenant left a plug-in air-freshener in a socket in a bedroom... at the Check-Out I said something like "oh, that's yours" and I reached my hand out to extract it and hand it to her... it was the only one left in the house, so I thought she'd missed it. She quickly said "oh, don't worry... it'll help keep the place fresh while it's empty and I don't need it"... so I retracted my hand and we continued on.

We reached the end of the Check-Out and there were some minor deductions that she readily agreed to. I went home and returned the balance of the deposit same day.

Only days later did I pull the plug-in air-freshener out of the socket and found that the socket was cracked all the way from top to bottom. I had to give her credit for that. She probably crapped herself, thinking that a new socket would cost like £100 to fit or something. It was £5.96 to purchase and I fitted the new one. I was in awe of her style. I appreciated that she had foxed me like that... I learned a lesson.

The landlord can enter the property provided 24 hours notice is given. It is up to them if they want to be present.I would put a letter through the door,and send a separate text/email.It is not just about the matters that the tenant needs to rectify in order to protect the deposit.The landlord may also wish to begin preparations to carry out repairs or improvements,order goods,shop around etc.before the place is relet. I fully understand the need to respect tenant's privacy,but at the end of a tenancy there has to be some give and take.

As usual guys. Thanks for your help, advice and stories.
Yes I have had a similar one with the tenant covering stuff up.
Had to do a gas safety certificate on the house. got the man round I went round aswell. Job was done there was a folder in the kitchen on a bit of worktop that was a bit odd. Didn't think anything of it. Until later when i discovered burn marks in the kitchen work top.
That was on top of all other issues he had left. But he did a runner so that's another story.

Anyway I have finally got into the house. After explaining that it was for me to see what needs to be done when they are gone. And not to be scared about it all.
They then emailed and said we are going out you can go round. I mean wtf......
That was after they made me have a conversation with them through the letter box.
Not impressed. I think they are just embarrassed about having to leave. They wanted long term and have only stayed a year.

The 24 hour letter and just go in was my next move. But wanted to see what you all thought.
Thanks for your help.

I did also compile a end of tenancy list. Really as you say you need to spell it out to them what they actually need to do.
Like clean the place up. I did go in and found that it was pretty filthy and the garden is a total jungle. Funny specially after they said that they wanted to make it nice and put lots of plants in. nope none of that. its full of 5 foot weeds though.


END OF TENANCY CHECK LIST AFTER THE FINAL MONTH'S RENT HAS BEEN PAID, CANCEL THE STANDING ORDER WITH YOUR BANK
1.   Please make sure that the property is in the same state as when you moved in. (fair wear and tear acceptable)
2.   Replace all broken or non-working light bulbs.
3.   Exterior – cut grass and leave garden tidy, leave shed empty. Remove all garden waste from property otherwise you will have to pay for its removal.
4.   Security – Close and lock all windows and doors.
5.   Ask your telephone provider, utility and council to send the final bill to your new address. Provide them all with correct meter readings.
6.   Obtain from the post office a mail forwarding form.
7.   Ensure all the keys are returned (as per the inventory check in photographs) to the landlord.
8.   Clean the following –
Windows inside and out
Painted and wooden surfaces such as window sills, bannisters, skirting, wardrobes etc
Marks off walls and light switches.
Vacuum and remove any stains from carpets and if needs be please get them cleaned.
Clean Vinyl / Tiled floors
9.   Remove all personal effects from cupboards and drawers and leave them clean
10.   Bathrooms, showers, w.c's – clean bath, showers, hand basins and polish taps, clean tiled surfaces.
11.   Kitchen/utility – clean all units, cupboards and drawers and remove all items of food, etc.
12.   Clean cooker hood and make sure that the filter is replaced with a new one.