Rented house - Tenant upsetting neighbours
Discussion
Long story short(ish)
After my parents died I inherited their home, which was also my childhood home. I decided to spend some money on it and rent it out via an agent until such time I want to sell.
The property is at the end of a cul-de-sac and has been rented for 4-5 years, it's a family home so I'm only on my second tenants, first tenant was pretty much no trouble, second ones have been fine until recently. I received a call from the agent saying that quite a few fence panels needed replacing (I was expecting this at some point) so they sent round their maintenance guy who quoted an astronomical figure, so I went and found someone else, alls well the guy has done the work without issue, in fact he's ended up doing quite a lot of other work for the neighbours on the back of the work he's undertaken for me.
Rightly or wrongly he gave my number to one of the neighbours an elderly couple who moved in when I was just renovating some years ago. It appears the tenant has been threatening them over the shared drive (well the 1 metre square that both drives cross) and has contacted me distressed with the verbal abuse he's received.
I don't have any contact with the tenant or even who is in there (that's all managed and dealt with by the letting agent) and that's how I like it, but I'm now being drawn into something that I don't really want to be, but feel partly responsible for.
The elderly couple are going to the letting agents today to complain, and I also emailed them regarding the behaviour and provided the land registry details which show that part of the driveway is shared.
I suspect I'll get some further contact from the neighbour, but any thoughts on what I should and shouldn't do here?
After my parents died I inherited their home, which was also my childhood home. I decided to spend some money on it and rent it out via an agent until such time I want to sell.
The property is at the end of a cul-de-sac and has been rented for 4-5 years, it's a family home so I'm only on my second tenants, first tenant was pretty much no trouble, second ones have been fine until recently. I received a call from the agent saying that quite a few fence panels needed replacing (I was expecting this at some point) so they sent round their maintenance guy who quoted an astronomical figure, so I went and found someone else, alls well the guy has done the work without issue, in fact he's ended up doing quite a lot of other work for the neighbours on the back of the work he's undertaken for me.
Rightly or wrongly he gave my number to one of the neighbours an elderly couple who moved in when I was just renovating some years ago. It appears the tenant has been threatening them over the shared drive (well the 1 metre square that both drives cross) and has contacted me distressed with the verbal abuse he's received.
I don't have any contact with the tenant or even who is in there (that's all managed and dealt with by the letting agent) and that's how I like it, but I'm now being drawn into something that I don't really want to be, but feel partly responsible for.
The elderly couple are going to the letting agents today to complain, and I also emailed them regarding the behaviour and provided the land registry details which show that part of the driveway is shared.
I suspect I'll get some further contact from the neighbour, but any thoughts on what I should and shouldn't do here?
I'm a lettings manager so can offer some thoughts. Initially, explain to the neighbours that the property is managed by an agent and that all correspondence etc needs to go through them as you have no role in the ongoing management of the property. You're paying the agent to deal with exactly this kind of issue. Worst case scenario is that the tenant needs a Section 8 eviction notice for being a nob. If you've been involved, this could muddy the waters if he tries to fight it.
Remember, there are always two sides to every story, especially with neighbour disputes. If I had a pound for every time the sweet little old lady neighbour has been exposed for being a two faced piece of work I'd be a rich man.
I would hope your agent will act on it today and speak to the tenant with an update for you today. Be mindful that the agent action will probably be a simple call to the tenant to ask them not to be a nob to the neighbours. This is fine, but should be followed up with a formal letter in case there are further issues down the line. Tell the agent you want regular updates and that the neighbours are in direct contact with you, so you'll be getting it in the neck if it's not resolved.
A lot of agents have young negotiators with not a lot of life experience and conflict resolution is alien to them, through no fault of their own. Ultimately, you're the landlord and if it transpires the guy is unpleasant and upsetting neighbours, you're quite within your rights to ask him to leave the property.
Remember, there are always two sides to every story, especially with neighbour disputes. If I had a pound for every time the sweet little old lady neighbour has been exposed for being a two faced piece of work I'd be a rich man.
I would hope your agent will act on it today and speak to the tenant with an update for you today. Be mindful that the agent action will probably be a simple call to the tenant to ask them not to be a nob to the neighbours. This is fine, but should be followed up with a formal letter in case there are further issues down the line. Tell the agent you want regular updates and that the neighbours are in direct contact with you, so you'll be getting it in the neck if it's not resolved.
A lot of agents have young negotiators with not a lot of life experience and conflict resolution is alien to them, through no fault of their own. Ultimately, you're the landlord and if it transpires the guy is unpleasant and upsetting neighbours, you're quite within your rights to ask him to leave the property.
Mr Pointy said:
Yes; speak to your tenants & get their side of the story. If they are causing problems for the neighbours request that they stop & if they don't evict them.
Don't make other people's lives a misery just so you can make money.
I don't have any contact with the tenant, but I am fully aware there are two sides to every story, it was my childhood home so I have a lot of fond memories of the area and neighbours so the last thing I would want is to be the guy that is causing a lot of upset for some £££Don't make other people's lives a misery just so you can make money.
Jonmx said:
I'm a lettings manager so can offer some thoughts. Initially, explain to the neighbours that the property is managed by an agent and that all correspondence etc needs to go through them as you have no role in the ongoing management of the property. You're paying the agent to deal with exactly this kind of issue. Worst case scenario is that the tenant needs a Section 8 eviction notice for being a nob. If you've been involved, this could muddy the waters if he tries to fight it.
Remember, there are always two sides to every story, especially with neighbour disputes. If I had a pound for every time the sweet little old lady neighbour has been exposed for being a two faced piece of work I'd be a rich man.
I would hope your agent will act on it today and speak to the tenant with an update for you today. Be mindful that the agent action will probably be a simple call to the tenant to ask them not to be a nob to the neighbours. This is fine, but should be followed up with a formal letter in case there are further issues down the line. Tell the agent you want regular updates and that the neighbours are in direct contact with you, so you'll be getting it in the neck if it's not resolved.
A lot of agents have young negotiators with not a lot of life experience and conflict resolution is alien to them, through no fault of their own. Ultimately, you're the landlord and if it transpires the guy is unpleasant and upsetting neighbours, you're quite within your rights to ask him to leave the property.
Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated. It's pretty much what I said in a text to him last night. I've emailed the letting agent to inform them of the disruption/dispute and that's as much as I really want to be involved. I will on your advice request regular updates to keep the peace with the neighbours.Remember, there are always two sides to every story, especially with neighbour disputes. If I had a pound for every time the sweet little old lady neighbour has been exposed for being a two faced piece of work I'd be a rich man.
I would hope your agent will act on it today and speak to the tenant with an update for you today. Be mindful that the agent action will probably be a simple call to the tenant to ask them not to be a nob to the neighbours. This is fine, but should be followed up with a formal letter in case there are further issues down the line. Tell the agent you want regular updates and that the neighbours are in direct contact with you, so you'll be getting it in the neck if it's not resolved.
A lot of agents have young negotiators with not a lot of life experience and conflict resolution is alien to them, through no fault of their own. Ultimately, you're the landlord and if it transpires the guy is unpleasant and upsetting neighbours, you're quite within your rights to ask him to leave the property.
Thanks
Get both sides of the story.
We have a couple in their 80s next to us and they have nothing better to do but moan and irritate people. The woman - let's call her Hyacinth - struts around the development with delusions that it's a sprawling country estate and she's the lady of the manor. They have so much time on their hands that they trim the edges of their lawn with nail scissors! They are mind-bogglingly house proud and have unattainably high expectations of everyone else on the development and they speak in a very civilised manner when you bump into them, yet any litter they find in their garden is promptly thrown into your garden once you turn your back!
Our properties are all freehold but the development is managed and subject to a small annual fee - this bit will become relevant in a minute. When a lady a few doors down was moving out she had a skip put in her parking space so she could do some clearing out. Hyacinth was immediately reading the riot act to the skip truck driver, saying skips weren't allowed on the development without the prior consent of the chairman of the committee. Some time later, Hyacinth and her husband had some work done on their house which involved the use of an angle grinder. This caused a massive amount of dust which covered our cars, windows and got in the house because the windows were open as we'd not been pre-warned. We mentioned this to the chairman of the committee as they'd clearly breached the covenant by causing the mess without warning people, but he didn't give a toss as he's friends with Hyacinth and her husband.
Basically they hold everyone else to the rules while not thinking the rules apply to them, and have the chairman of the committee in their pocket. I'm not saying all elderly people are like this, cause they're not, but some are busybodies with too much time on their hands and nothing better to do than start conflicts with people over petty issues.
Get both sides of the story!
We have a couple in their 80s next to us and they have nothing better to do but moan and irritate people. The woman - let's call her Hyacinth - struts around the development with delusions that it's a sprawling country estate and she's the lady of the manor. They have so much time on their hands that they trim the edges of their lawn with nail scissors! They are mind-bogglingly house proud and have unattainably high expectations of everyone else on the development and they speak in a very civilised manner when you bump into them, yet any litter they find in their garden is promptly thrown into your garden once you turn your back!
Our properties are all freehold but the development is managed and subject to a small annual fee - this bit will become relevant in a minute. When a lady a few doors down was moving out she had a skip put in her parking space so she could do some clearing out. Hyacinth was immediately reading the riot act to the skip truck driver, saying skips weren't allowed on the development without the prior consent of the chairman of the committee. Some time later, Hyacinth and her husband had some work done on their house which involved the use of an angle grinder. This caused a massive amount of dust which covered our cars, windows and got in the house because the windows were open as we'd not been pre-warned. We mentioned this to the chairman of the committee as they'd clearly breached the covenant by causing the mess without warning people, but he didn't give a toss as he's friends with Hyacinth and her husband.
Basically they hold everyone else to the rules while not thinking the rules apply to them, and have the chairman of the committee in their pocket. I'm not saying all elderly people are like this, cause they're not, but some are busybodies with too much time on their hands and nothing better to do than start conflicts with people over petty issues.
Get both sides of the story!
Go round and hammer frozen sausages in your own lawn!
Joking apart, as an owner-occupier joined to a rented property, it can be pretty miserable to have an ASB type tenant next to you.
Fortunately when this occurred to me, the landlord was very sympathetic and gave the tenant notice. A lovely family have since lived there for 6yrs with no problems whatsoever.
Meanwhile, ASB tenant now lives a mile away opposite a friend of mine, she is now causing havoc for her neighbours there. Some people are just arses and always will be.
Joking apart, as an owner-occupier joined to a rented property, it can be pretty miserable to have an ASB type tenant next to you.
Fortunately when this occurred to me, the landlord was very sympathetic and gave the tenant notice. A lovely family have since lived there for 6yrs with no problems whatsoever.
Meanwhile, ASB tenant now lives a mile away opposite a friend of mine, she is now causing havoc for her neighbours there. Some people are just arses and always will be.
LLs using an agent does not mean they can ignore either legislation, and/or their responsibilities covering tenant/s neighbour/s issues, since the LL is still liable for civil penalties and/or prosecution if the agent makes an error. It is why this LL does not engage letting agents, and also why every nearby neighbour of my rental properties, have my name, home address and telephone contact detail.
I am presently dealing with a tenant neighbour dispute, noise issue regarding both parties barking dogs, the former's dog barking when the neighbour slams the gate when arriving home at 3 a.m. in the morning.
My rental properties are in a local council authority area, where the council are looking for any excuse to increase selective licensing under the HMO legislation. It is therefore in the interest of the OP, to act has a mediator, visiting both the tenant and neighbour, before issues escalate to the council's offices.
I am presently dealing with a tenant neighbour dispute, noise issue regarding both parties barking dogs, the former's dog barking when the neighbour slams the gate when arriving home at 3 a.m. in the morning.
My rental properties are in a local council authority area, where the council are looking for any excuse to increase selective licensing under the HMO legislation. It is therefore in the interest of the OP, to act has a mediator, visiting both the tenant and neighbour, before issues escalate to the council's offices.
I had similar a few years ago when my mother gave the neighbour of one of my properties my phone number. Not a good move! The house is a terrace with paper thin walls and the chap living there was a bit loud when he'd had a drink. Unfortunately this was every day pretty much.
I got calls in the night calls on holiday it drove me mad. I did have a word with T but in the end advised the neighbour to contact the council or do whatever you would do if the house was owned. She actually ended up selling up and moving.
I got calls in the night calls on holiday it drove me mad. I did have a word with T but in the end advised the neighbour to contact the council or do whatever you would do if the house was owned. She actually ended up selling up and moving.
Rick101 said:
Why did the fence panels need replacing?
Does your tenant have a garden pub shed by any chance?
Stay well out of it. Advise them of the correct contact details and block the number.
Let the agents deal with it.
The fence panels were probably 15 years old, just rotted away. I'd replaced some when my parents were still alive and living there so I knew it was only a matter of time before the rest would require attention. Does your tenant have a garden pub shed by any chance?
Stay well out of it. Advise them of the correct contact details and block the number.
Let the agents deal with it.
fridaypassion said:
I had similar a few years ago when my mother gave the neighbour of one of my properties my phone number. Not a good move! The house is a terrace with paper thin walls and the chap living there was a bit loud when he'd had a drink. Unfortunately this was every day pretty much.
I got calls in the night calls on holiday it drove me mad. I did have a word with T but in the end advised the neighbour to contact the council or do whatever you would do if the house was owned. She actually ended up selling up and moving.
Did it not occur to you it was probably driving her mad too, hence the calls?I got calls in the night calls on holiday it drove me mad. I did have a word with T but in the end advised the neighbour to contact the council or do whatever you would do if the house was owned. She actually ended up selling up and moving.
You should have just given the tenant final warning/notice notice if you didn't like getting the calls... you can't complain about being disturbed by something that's your responsibility to sort (i.e. the noisy tenant)...
Yes it did occur but I'm a Landlord not the Police or council. The guy wasn't smashing the place up or doing any real harm but the property had previously been occupied by a single woman who was never home for 10 years so it was a period of adjustment more than anything. We aren't here to nanny these people they are all adults and in that situation I didn't see any justification other than making T aware that the neighbour had complained. They are still in there with no trouble with the new people that moved in so you have to be prepared for the fact that the complainant may be in the wrong.
crofty1984 said:
Eff me. Why anyone would want to live in one of those is beyond me.
Apparently harmony and it preserves house values with them all being boringly the same, even grass length!However you p
s off a HOA or don't pay the pathetic fines and they can forclose/repossess your home! Few cases of vets being deployed and coming home to find thier house repossessed and sold for little money as they didnt mow the lawn or pay the fines. Thats a bit unique to the USA as they deploy for longer and repossesion doesnt go through courts in the same way as here. Bit insane really which is why you don't want them here. I've known many an old person to be entitled and look down their noses at tenants. "you are only renting so you must comply with my requests" yadyyadyyady...
Its irrelevant whether you're tenants or neighbours have fallen out. As long as you get paid and the house is reasonably kept, then it makes no difference
Its irrelevant whether you're tenants or neighbours have fallen out. As long as you get paid and the house is reasonably kept, then it makes no difference
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