Any Tenants here and/or Landlords???

[The Samaritan]

Some tenants Jeez us wept

the whinging tenant syndrome

10 years in social housing having to deal with dead beats and fruit cakes

As I've said I've not worked directly with HA but indirectly and some joint work but at arms length. I've worked in various depts in the council over many years.

From my own experience, the worst T's are the ones in HA and often those that complain the most unreasonably of course are often doing f all workwise and feel HA workers own them something

I drove what many perceive as nic cars and when I bought a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee I did try and park it way from the t's house especially if it was rented from the coucil. One turned on me and said something like but not exaclty ' ...you've got it nice...comfy. they (council) looks after you look at the flash car i bet you ar laughing...' I slapped down the joker and politely told them they too could go for the same job as one was being advertised
or a different one - that shut them up.

what some of these jokers do not realise is even hard-working taxpayers have to wait to have things repaired EG, combi boiler, washing machine we take out extended warranties and they never appear the next day and often have not got the parts.


Us as LL's we trat them like customers paying to use a service and we have a reasonable duty of care towards them and legal obligations all of which we meet as we are no experts we hire LA's for full management but keep an eye on the repairs at times source our own.

Thanks

 

[Ihavenojob]

I'm neither a tenant or landlord, but while working I worked for years in rented accommodation, and I feel that landlords get the rougher deal. Put me off buying a property to rent out.

 

[Justin Passing]

Company/professional lets only, always get proof of employer/job.
Always make personal contact up front and do the quarterly inspections personally, and small repairs.
Always have an electric shower fitted in case of boiler failures so they have hot water. Always keep a spare of the same model of electric shower for an instant replacement.
Always supply a rented tumble dryer or washer/dryer so they aren't tempted to leave clothes drying around the house, and add it to the terms that they don't do that.
Ask if they'd prefer you srted their garden. Many do, so use a helpful gardener. Mine can mend a few things and will report back.

I've never had troubles, but friends all use HCEO for a section 8. It speeds things up.

I have one place empty at tne moment pending a bit of a refurb. The value's going up so am not too bothered. It's away a bit so could stay the odd weekend (except I CBA!).

 

[conny]

We had a 25' long fence between the front drive/parking area and the back garden. After quite a bad storm early last year the fence was leaning badly and two of the wooden support posts were rotted at the base. LL was notified and was willing to repair it but I had a chat and asked if, instead of him repairing the fence, could I build a 20' x 10' workshop and use the exterior wall as the fence on the drive side. Showed him some plans I had drawn and explained I would also supply and fit electrics etc. He offered to send some farm hands over to help but I was happy to do it myself so long as he could get his electrician to check and test the electrics. He was happy to do this but expressed a bit of concern about what would happen if, ("God forbid" were his exact words), we decided to move. I said the shed 'shell' and electrics would remain but I would take my work benches and all equipment/tools etc. He then said he would have his solicitor draw up an addendum to our contract so that if we had to/decided to leave within the next 10 years he would refund us a certain percentage on a sliding scale of what we paid for the shed plus electrics and also a cost we agreed after it was erected for the labour. I didn't ask for this but he thinks it's unfair to me if I pay, erect and look after it then possibly lose out financially if we move within 10 years.

 

[The Samaritan]

Conny, I've noted from your posts before, you are a very decent guy and both of you ie you and LL are lucky to have each other.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Many people assume landlords are loaded, make mega bucks in profit each year and deserve any issues that come their way.

Of course, in reality, whilst there are mega rich (and horrendous) landlords, the majority have between 1-3 properties and don't make millions. Many have their properties as a means to boost pensions etc.

Many people however don't believe this, they're blinded to the above facts.

As I touched on, of course there are horrendous landlords that exploit tenants, don't carry out repairs, fly below the proverbial radar. However because of them, all landlords are experiencing ever tighter legislation. You just need to read the Scottish Government proposal (I'm in Scotland) 'a new deal for tenants' to see the direction of travel. At the end of the day, are private landlords charities? No. Are they in it to hopefully make at least some profit? Yes. However that is becoming increasingly difficult for many. Result? They'll sell up. Then it'll be over to councils to plug the gap private landlords currently fill.

You might not remember, x years back Corbyn and (O'Connell?) floated a proposal that tenants should be able to buy the property they were renting ... whether the landlord wanted to sell it or not!

Let me assure you, if a landlord has the misfortune of having a tenant that leaves with rent arrears and/or the property in a state of disrepair, good luck to that landlord getting any reasonable sort of recompense from said tenant.

Just one example. Years back a landlord was left with thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of damage to rectify. They decided to take the ex tenant to court. They won. GREAT! The tenant was instructed to repay the repair sum. GREAT! The ex tenant was able to demonstrate they didn't have the funds. MMmmm. Result? They were ordered to pay the landlord back at a rate of £20 a month ...

Due to scenarios such as this, landlords often don't bother going to court. I could go on.

 

[The Samaritan]

As I said we too ar LL's and caring ones. I've as;o worked for the council several depts and at arms lenght with HA and have family that woked in and works in HA. As I've said before, the hA stock appears to be newer in Londan anyways, and their T's the bad ones seem to be nastier and more wanting from the ones I've met.

T's need protection just like all of us inc LL's.

We are not "rich" and no one gave us a penny nor have we ever expected a penny from our parents just like our children don't
We were brought up to respct elders/teachers and the police along with family and work hard, dont throw our money away and don't take out loans other than to buy a prperty/business and once we can walk then we can afford to run but always have money saved up/

Sadly, too many people want something for f all and envy those that have something noce to their name and they don't often becuse they cant be arsed to work, and/or spend/save wisely.

I recall turning18 and wanting a sports car my first car and earing money pt and uni and could not understand why my parents were ticking me off from getting hp - they were right, i waited a few months and bought a car for cash with money in the bank and never looked back and though, why should i buy something for xxxx and then repayay xxxxxxxxxx for it.

I balme the govs of all backgrounds for looking after those at the top of the food chain as well as those on the bottom and shafting hard those in the middle.

One of my siblings, their T's during covid became unwell then lost their job then the guys wife had covid lost her job and they were worried sick. My sibling told them to get well and once on their feet they could sort out the rent and not fear being kicked our even though the new rules were in place re not able to remove T's what my sibling said gave them a booster. A year down the road they have cleared several months back rent not been charged penalties anyhting and as the guy also now running a pt business in addtion to his FT work and was keeping his toolsin the dining room my sibling has upgraded the locks on the garge, added Ring security and their alarm in the garage so he can keep his tools and materials there at no extra cost. They are very grateful My sibling has bnot raised their rent since the 2 years there and assured then 5 years no rise in rentals should they wish to stay there for 5 years. They see my sibling and her family as their good friends.

We too look after our T's and they send us a zmas card and gifts and often tell us we are the best LL#s they've ever had and that makes our day.


We are not a charity and I want a bigger and flasher car but we are not greedy and our T's know that.

 

[gas112]

One of biggest mistake some landlords make is they do not have any money behind them to carry out repairs straight away ie if something like the boiler goes and they need a couple of grand straight away to change it .
Also not having any diy skills themselves or knowing any local trades so they are at the mercy of letting agents who rip them off with thier guy who they then load on their percentage .
Never had any prob with any of my tenants as i dont just let anyone in .
One of best money makers in rented just now is advertising on the likes of airbnb and renting out to contractors through their firms and getting paid direct same as contacting local big firms who have people on temporary placements mate does this with around half a dozen of his houses with firms signing up to 6 months then at weekends he rents out for people coming for weddings /weekend breaks etc

 

[The Samaritan]

One of biggest mistake some landlords make is they do not have any money behind them to carry out repairs straight away ie if something like the boiler goes and they need a couple of grand straight away to change it .
Also not having any diy skills themselves or knowing any local trades so they are at the mercy of letting agents who rip them off with thier guy who they then load on their percentage .
Never had any prob with any of my tenants as i dont just let anyone in .
One of best money makers in rented just now is advertising on the likes of airbnb and renting out to contractors through their firms and getting paid direct same as contacting local big firms who have people on temporary placements mate does this with around half a dozen of his houses with firms signing up to 6 months then at weekends he rents out for people coming for weddings /weekend breaks etc

Very true

Another way to save money if I may add is to seek longer term T's. For sure you can only go by face value and contacts ours are always 12 months with a 6 month clause they or we can get them out. With the best will in the world as our property are done to standards, we live in ie white walls, lovely hob, ovven, built in micro and lovely kitchen, shower, desginer rads plush doors and real wood flooring - makrs will be left on walls etc when someone moves out after 12/18 months so go long term, dont increase the rent ie reward them - it works for us - and if you have nice T's, if they lose their job become unwell and you feel they are not pulling your leg be flexible.

Indeed you need money for the boiler but even more important if you have a buy to let mortgage or one of those and one on your main property, be very aware of crooks that won't pay you a penny after the first month and may even sub let and it may take you over a year to get them out. Therefore important to get a good AST and we always get LL's insurance via LA should things go wrong we are covered for some of the rent tand the LA's act on our behalf removes a lot of the stress. We do keep an eye on the proerties ourselves and even so called decent LA's will hire a plumber etc that will cost around 150 quid to tighten a leaky radiator that you could go out and tighten the valve at almost no cost

Thnaks

 

[gas112]

Yep re looking after tenants and rent rises . The amount of times i point out to greedy landlords that that extra 50 quid a month can result in the property being empty for a couple of months with the additional costs of redecorating so then takes you a few years to recoup the lost rental money and with possibility of shyte tenant .
Mate had the outlook of if he went round and they had trashed the place but were still paying rent then no way was he throwing them out if they were happy to live in shyte then he would let them

 

[The Samaritan]

Yep re looking after tenants and rent rises . The amount of times i point out to greedy landlords that that extra 50 quid a month can result in the property being empty for a couple of months with the additional costs of redecorating so then takes you a few years to recoup the lost rental money and with possibility of shyte tenant .
Mate had the outlook of if he went round and they had trashed the place but were still paying rent then no way was he throwing them out if they were happy to live in shyte then he would let them

Not only that but that 50 quid can and does wind up people. if you are with a LA the 50 quid is eatne up by fees for the first couple of months and upsets even good T's - so why risk it

IMO, some people can't see beyond thair nose and you are right, it is 'greed'!!

Me, my family inc inlaws all rent out something to help our early retirement build something for the kids that is only if they are working hard and not throwing money away as ours are and we do rent out to make money but balance it with fairness to the T, especially decent ones.

I recall some backwards, seriosuly ignornat clown at work saying to me when I bought a brand new Jeep Grand Chrke - Overland. They saw the car in the car park and told me theyd seen it and asked me if I'd bought it, I told them yes, bought it outright. As they then left the office with me walking to our cars mine came first and he said it looked flash, I said thanks. Then it was only polite to ask if they wanted a look they said yes. They had a look and you could see the envy in his eyes and he said "you won the lottery." I told we've never banked on the lotto but worked hard, spent wisely, invested wisley and never took out any other loan other than property and I added 'unlike you we dont eat out every other night, go on three hols abroad, waste money on designer clothes and don't HP cars its just hard work and using our money wisely. He almost stopped talking to me after that which I saw as a bonus.

Not bragging but thinking about where we are and by no means rich but comfortable, I'm pretty pleased with myself, my ex and my new OH and importantly my parents for our upbringing and our children for not leaching off us and standing on their own two feet and seeking anything from us even when at uni.

 

[The Samaritan]

From the link below
===================
The tenant acknowledged the house was ‘a state’ but blamed not having his boiler serviced, a family member’s illness, issues with his shower and central heating for the mess.


He claimed the landlord was ‘rude’ to him and said the animals were only left because the locks had been changed.

When quizzed on the number of dead animals in the property, the tenant said they were ‘a lapse’ and he was ‘still grieving’ for them.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/08/cumb...sh-left-by-tenant-16238009/?ico=related-posts

https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/08/cumb...sh-left-by-tenant-16238009/?ico=related-posts

If that was my property I'd chase them for life for the money even though I'd lose more money.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

From the link below
===================
The tenant acknowledged the house was ‘a state’ but blamed not having his boiler serviced, a family member’s illness, issues with his shower and central heating for the mess.


He claimed the landlord was ‘rude’ to him and said the animals were only left because the locks had been changed.

When quizzed on the number of dead animals in the property, the tenant said they were ‘a lapse’ and he was ‘still grieving’ for them.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/08/cumb...sh-left-by-tenant-16238009/?ico=related-posts

https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/08/cumb...sh-left-by-tenant-16238009/?ico=related-posts

If that was my property I'd chase them for life for the money even though I'd lose more money.

Although still not full-proof, this is why a property inspection every 6 months is a must, unless you categorically know the tenant wouldn't do something like this. Even then, once a year visits minimum should still take place.

 

[johnny2007]

Never mess with a T, or even raise your voice and the cops will soon turn up at your door.

For all of us ie me, OH, his, my family and some kid we all rent but we also all let via LA and have legal cover always. This also comes with part rent guarantees backed by the insurance co not LA. When things are going well it looks as though we are all wasting money on LA's but its a piece of mind and lot less stressful if things go belly up. We only let to working people, no single parents as often masses of bagge, no benefits, smokers or pets. All of use have bought in ok/nice areas, not flash but nice and often close to transport and shops and schools.

We rent out at a price and often most of us did not raise rents for years if T's a very good.

Thanks

Do you rent any of your castles by the room?
You can make a mint with bunk beds in 20+ bedrooms...

 

[The Samaritan]

Do you rent any of your castles by the room?
You can make a mint with bunk beds in 20+ bedrooms...

what was the point of that?