UK Landlord Forum / Life

So, yesterday evening a Tenant served valid notice on a SPT that I'm about to accept. His circumstances mean he will be moving back in with parents as they've both been laid-off work and he wants to support them (he already pays their mortgage and rents himself). His wife's business has also been closed and, for some reasons I didn't ask too much about, she will not be eligible for the self-employed Government support. 

I cannot fault his drivers at all. He is doing the right thing for himself and family.

I am at a loss to understand how I physically terminate this tenancy, though. Usually the outgoing Tenant and Landlord would meet on the last day, hand over keys, take meter readings, go through the house together for up to an hour, trying to agree Deposit deductions... with the lockdown, I cannot see that this would be considered essential, in any way... so what do I pragmatically? Ask him to post keys through the letterbox, take pictures of the meters, and I pop back in at some future time (maybe when restrictions are eased)? I guess the Deposit can be returned when I get to do an inspection of the state of the property - but surely neither he nor I should lose-out because we're unable to do it together?

I know notice periods were extended for Landlord to Tenant (with the result being an effective ban for around 3 months, so far)... but was notice the other way tweaked at all?

You can describe doing a check-out as work that can't be done at home so it's then just a question of ensuring you maintain social distancing and minimise the risk of contagion. In an ideal world you'd go round the property with the tenant but, under the circumstances, how about he moves out one day and you either go in the next day with gloves and a bucket of soapy water for the door handles etc, or give it three days to be absolutely sure? If you and your tenant have access to Skype or similar, you could do a virtual walkthrough with him once you've had the chance to look around.

I think it's going to have to be something like this, yes. It's all very different... I've always managed to agree any deductions face-to-face at the time and then go home and release it forthwith. This is going to be onerous I think. Then I'll mothball it as best I can until I want to start advertising it and doing viewings...

I have often managed check-outs on different days,without tenants being present.My biggest property is a 2up/2down terrace,obviously it gets more complicated with bigger places.If the tenants have previously kept the place in good order,and reported any problems in the past,they are unlikely to spring any nasty surprises on you.You will have issued a list of the things can be deducted from the deposit,to give them fair warning.The virus only stays on surfaces for a matter of hours,so I would go round next day with gloves and wipes,to chuck in the bin as you leave.I would have his mobile number to hand,so you can discuss anything and send photos if necessary. Hope everyone can get back to normal asap.

I suppose that's understood... it's still not have I've always done it, though... and, of course, another thrust of my question was whether I should be going at all - it's clearly not essential. I will likely need to mothball the property, so there's no rush on my part, in actuality... it's not like I'm going to be flooded with applications in the current climate... and if anyone did apply I'd probably think they were bonkers to be going against formal advice anyway.

Quote from: Hippogriff on March 30, 2020, 03:24:44 PM
another thrust of my question was whether I should be going at all - it's clearly not essential.

In the guidelines about travel to your place of work, there's no stipulation that your work should be essential in terms of being for the greater good and vital for the war effort. It just says work from home unless it's not possible to do so. I don't think it's stretching things too far to extend that to your duties as a landlord. You have a right at least to check that the property is safe and secure.

Do a home-brew version of the French going-out form - describe the purpose of the visit and why it's necessary (to secure the property and ensure it doesn't present a hazard), with an assessment of the risks involved at each stage - getting to your car, driving to the property, getting from your car to the property, doing stuff in the property and coming home again - with details of the steps you're taking to mitigate those risks.

Of course, what might be permitted today might not be permitted in a month's time, and vice-versa!

Are you thinking of returning the deposit without visiting the house,trusting to luck? Walking the dog is allowed,so I could lend you one to provide cover for being out.