UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi,

We're first time landlords, we moved aboard and decided to use an estate agent in the hope they would sort out any issues the tenant would have.

The latest 'problem' they reported was the house alarm and cooker weren't working, after asking a number of questions to find out what happened, we figured out that there was a power cut and they both needed resetting. As we're aboard we can't do it ourselves and the tenant doesn't seem to be able to figure things out to sort it, (even though we left instruction manuals for all appliances in one of the kitchen drawers) so called the estate agent who sent out a contractor to reset them. The estate agent is now trying to charge us £50 for this.

We know we're responsible for the up keep of the house and fixing anything that breaks. We think the tenant should pay this as nothing was actually broken, but all the estate agent keeps saying is the power cut wasn't the tenants fault.... it's wasn't our either.

Would be grateful for any advice.

I think that is part and parcel of using an agent.

The agent isn't as keen on sorting things out as you are.

The receive a fee each month, and anything that they have to do is a cost to them.
While it's possibly a saving to you.
So you'll try much harder than they will (they'll call you for permission and then call out a

If the total cost of the call out and reset is £50, I'd swallow it and see what happens in future.
It might be a one off.

If it isn't you might have to consider replacing the agent or the tenant.
Or moving home.

BTW - you know there are specific tax regulations about non-resident landlords and agents passing on fees?

Unfortunately it isn't the first time, we've already had to pay for other call outs.

Yeah, my husbands company accountant helps us with taxes etc.

Thankyou for the advice

Sounds like when you say you want to pass the £50 charge onto the tenants you are trying to charge them for their stupidity in not being able to operate appliances.  Unfortunately most tenants are stupid and if we could charge for that we'd all be rich. 

I know you are using an agent for ease of use but you have to put up with them using whoever they can to sort these little problems as a result.  My advice would be to find yourself a 'handyman' that you could have sent around yourself upon hearing about the problem from the agent.  Join a Facebook Buy/Sell group that's local to the house and hunt one down whom you can call on in the future.

We moved abroad and have an agent (who is totally useless) but we have one of our family members tend to problems for us, saves a fortune too.  Personally I would charge the tenant, if they can't work it out from the instruction booklet, god help them!