Tenants possibly trying it on for house repairs/upgrades?

**PurpleGorilla** · 12 November 2015, 10:58

How inconsiderate of your tenants. Throw them to the gutter.

**meridian** · 12 November 2015, 10:59

Stop being a tight-arse and do some maintenance on your investment. You didn't think it would just be hassle-free money, did you?

**pjt** · 12 November 2015, 11:00

Originally posted by rl4engc View Post

Any of the BTL'ers had this?

When me and Mrs.RL4 got wed, we rented her house out, initially via Bridgfords, but as they turned out to be as much use as a marzipan d!ldo, and as the tenants were good (houseproud, had family next door) we went direct.

All has been fine for 2 years or so, then they had a leak in the upstairs bathroom which went unnoticed and caused part of the kitchen ceiling to collapse, luckily this was covered under the landlords insurance. Next issue was one of the PVC door locks jammed and they had to 'force it open' to get out (I said there's another door to facilitate egress), damaging the (admitedly old) door in the process, looks like it's going to be be ~£500 to replace.

Now these are hopefully just normal wear and tear i.e. not deliberate but I'm just wondering what strategies we coulduse, if they decide to get a taste for this kind of free home improvement? After the leak we said we'd get a bath installed rather than the shower (they have a new baby) whilst the ceiling was being fixed, so one line could be:

- We're having to replace the door but this means the funds for the bath replacement will now not be available for a few months..
- (Worst case) "The house obviously needs money spending on it, we're going to have to stop renting it and move you out in order to do a proper renovation.."

What would /gen/ suggest?

TIA

Things like this happen, even in your own home. I don't think theirs much of a strategy you can you (or at least not one I've ever been able to successfully pull off). If the house is needing work then things will start to go wrong. Is it maybe time to spend some money on it to prevent the bigger issues cropping up?

**alreadypacked** · 12 November 2015, 11:06

What % per year do you set aside for Maintenance?

Are these costs exceeding this amount?

**vetran** · 12 November 2015, 11:08

Originally posted by rl4engc View Post

Any of the BTL'ers had this?

All has been fine for 2 years or so, then they had a leak in the upstairs bathroom which went unnoticed and caused part of the kitchen ceiling to collapse, luckily this was covered under the landlords insurance.

OK but why was it not noticed?

Next issue was one of the PVC door locks jammed and they had to 'force it open' to get out (I said there's another door to facilitate egress), damaging the (admitedly old) door in the process, looks like it's going to be be ~£500 to replace.

why did they not use the other door or call a locksmith? I would be tempted to pay out up to a locksmith's call out - what does your contract say? I would definitely suggest they call you first before damaging anything.

Obviously if you were Mauve Monkey BTLers you would give them 6 months free rental and allow them to sleep with your wife for the inconvenience.

**MrMarkyMark** · 12 November 2015, 11:09

All has been fine for 2 yearsor so

Doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

Things happen, to suggest it is deliberate is disingenuous.
No one likes doing without a bathroom, so, I can't see why you would think they have knowingly bought the ceiling down

**Pondlife** · 12 November 2015, 11:14

Originally posted by rl4engc View Post

Any of the BTL'ers had this?

When me and Mrs.RL4 got wed, we rented her house out, initially via Bridgfords, but as they turned out to be as much use as a marzipan d!ldo, and as the tenants were good (houseproud, had family next door) we went direct.

All has been fine for 2 years or so, then they had a leak in the upstairs bathroom which went unnoticed and caused part of the kitchen ceiling to collapse, luckily this was covered under the landlords insurance. Next issue was one of the PVC door locks jammed and they had to 'force it open' to get out (I said there's another door to facilitate egress), damaging the (admitedly old) door in the process, looks like it's going to be be ~£500 to replace.

Now these are hopefully just normal wear and tear i.e. not deliberate but I'm just wondering what strategies we coulduse, if they decide to get a taste for this kind of free home improvement? After the leak we said we'd get a bath installed rather than the shower (they have a new baby) whilst the ceiling was being fixed, so one line could be:

- We're having to replace the door but this means the funds for the bath replacement will now not be available for a few months..
- (Worst case) "The house obviously needs money spending on it, we're going to have to stop renting it and move you out in order to do a proper renovation.."

What would /gen/ suggest?

TIA

You're being serious, right? Wow.

**BlasterBates** · 12 November 2015, 11:15

Punishing tenants for problems that were caused by defects due to inadequate maintenance and causing considerable inconvenience will probably put them on the warpath.

**FatLazyContractor** · 12 November 2015, 11:17

What would MF do if it was one of his wife's BTLs?

What would AtW do if he was a tenant?

Discuss

Tenants possibly trying it on for house repairs/upgrades?