UK Landlord Forum / Life

So, the title says it all, really... and I'd usually not even contemplate this, I'd just say "sorry, no"... I might not even say "sorry"... I might just say "no".

The background is that I'm due to do a Check-In at 09:00 this coming Sunday morning. The Deposit is protected with that date, the AST prepared with that date. But the incoming Tenants asked if they could get keys "a little earlier" so people could help them with moving in over Saturday and Sunday... now, still, normally I'd say "no" to that request (I might even lean forwards on my desk, tent my fingers and do a "muhahahaha"), because there's generally nothing in it for me, and there is just risk.

However, these kids are a bit naïve and it took us a while - and no small amount of effort - to get here, and she is pregnant... so maybe I'm starting to think as a Human rather than as a Transaction Processing System, and these new 'feelings' are possibly starting to get the better of me (maybe heavykarma is rubbing off on me)... so my questions and answers are usually more geared towards the moral stance or a pragmatic approach to problems... this time I'm asking about how - legally - do I open myself up to any abuse if I decided to suggest that we do the Check-In on Saturday morning - 1 day before the tenancy commences - and they get possession then.

Is this a big issue? Or is it a non-issue? WWJD?

In return, I suppose that I can say to the local Council that I'm liable for 1 less day of Council Tax?

Quote from: Hippogriff on August 29, 2019, 07:37:00 AM
maybe heavykarma is rubbing off on me

Well that's a hell of an mental image for a start! 

I don't think there's any harm in letting them move on the Saturday. I suppose in theory they could move a load of junk in and then not actually start the tenancy, but why would they?

Just tell them nobody's allowed to go to sleep anywhere on the premises before midnight. It serves no legal purpose but you're a still a landlord: you've got to at least make a bit of an effort to appear weird and unreasonable!

No,that's another forum I belong to Simon.With regard to Hippo's query,I have allowed this a few times and it has never caused a problem.I suppose all landlords are vulnerable when it comes down to it,whenever you hand the keys over.They might be so grateful they will name the baby after you. 

That sorts it then, based on these implied indemnities I will soften my stance. You've done good things here today. Good things for, hopefully, good people.