UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello, this is a great forum. I mainly read here and will post/reply if I have any experience I can offer. I know that people get accussed of being one post wonders. I don't want that. If I don't have anything to post I can't post or reply. If I do I will.  I rented out my flat and I told the agent specifically when the tenants moved in that we had no more storage space and some things would be left in the flat. It was written into the contract. The tenants read and signed the contract. They read every page and initialled it. They then started complaining constantly about the things left in the flat. We agreed on a reduced rent due to the lack of storage space. So then they decided not to stay, then decided they wanted to stay, back and forth, complaining to me about the agent and the agent about me. Also at viewings saying nasty things about me to some potential tenants (so the agent says) and then praising me to others (again so an agent says). I have rented to people before and we got along fine. If someone asked me for good landlord references I could provide good references. I guess you would give a heave ho to people like this? They pay their rent but are always playing people off against one another.

Thanks for any advice. Agents charge renewal fees. It is a nightmare but that is how the business works.

The agent didn't report that there was mould on the bathroom ceiling, they didn't answer the phone to the tenants when the electrics went on a Sunday. They messed up two contracts. Their fees are cheap. I guess this is why... they do do the quarterly reports and send pics of the flat. Thanks for any advice or if anyone knows a decent agent in London that doesn't act like this thanks for letting me know.

In my first let, my old home, I kept stuff I couldn't (or didn't want to) take with me in the loft. Locked, key not supplied. At least the loft was a self-contained off-limits space where I could retain all my old tat that I could not sell nor bear to dump.

I don't do this now. It's not fair. I believe a person rents the property - usually the entirety of it. I would complain, I think, if I knew that a Landlord had left behind a load of their old tat and tried to either pass it off as furnishings (I did that too) or said "this room, here, is full of my stuff and you're not allowed to interfere with it". I know that I would be put-out by this... even if I signed-up for it.

Let's be honest, Landlords use that reason (excuse?) all the time to get away with things that aren't... well, optimum - "you rented the place as it was". I think what Tenants sign after viewing and what they realise is the reality of the situation in the cold light of day, when they're in, are different things.

I would not give these Tenants the heave-ho for complaining, as such, as everyone is entitled to voice their feelings... but the bouncing back-and-forth between leaving and staying would definitely get me annoyed. If the Tenants gave you some kind of Notice to Quit then I do not believe that can be revoked, by them. I'd not be very inclined to give Tenants the heave-ho if they pay their rent. This is the thing I - probably - care most about as a Landlord.

Question - was the rent reduction given to the Tenants more or less than the storage fees you would be required to pay to take them away? It's a long time since I've stored anything, but when I last did it it was about £8 per week for what amounted to about a room full of stuff - also they took it there and brought it back for me. Follow-up question - is that a possibility to restore harmony and give the Tenants full use of the property?

Lastly... if weighing-up the truthfulness of Tenants and Agents (without knowing anything more) I'd always instinctively come down on the side of Tenants. I'd think the Tenants were being truthful, not the Agent. But that's just me. Can't help with Agents in London I'm afraid.