Tenant - harrassment

[Willhire89]

It appears I have a dirty tenant - not the first time

This one is under management and I raised the issue a year ago and was assured it was always immaculate when they inspected.

Now they are getting nervous and have raised it with me completely forgetting they told me it was a non issue previously.

I have laid out two options for the agent

Serve an s21

Write to the tenant outlining that we are happy they stay but some basic cleaning needs to go on and set some guidelines and provide products as required

Agent says option 2 is harassment so I either ignore or serve an s21. I believe tenant deserves an opportunity to sort this out but agent will not play along

Been there two years plus and now on periodic - no late payments

[br d]

Surely part of the tenancy agreement is that they should keep the place in a decent level of cleanliness, how can it be harassment to ask them to comply?

[So]

Willhire89 said:

It appears I have a dirty tenant - not the first time

This one is under management and I raised the issue a year ago and was assured it was always immaculate when they inspected.

Now they are getting nervous and have raised it with me completely forgetting they told me it was a non issue previously.

I have laid out two options for the agent

Serve an s21

Write to the tenant outlining that we are happy they stay but some basic cleaning needs to go on and set some guidelines and provide products as required

Agent says option 2 is harassment so I either ignore or serve an s21. I believe tenant deserves an opportunity to sort this out but agent will not play along

Been there two years plus and now on periodic - no late payments

That would not be harassment as define by the Protection from Harassment Act (1997) as far as I am aware. You are merely reminding the tenants of their contractual obligation.

It is unlikely to end well. Tenants who don't look after places are usually the ones that skip, or leave the place in poor order blaming you for some breach of contract that they have dreamt up.

I'd serve them notice and find a new agent.

[The Surveyor]

So said:

That would not be harassment as define by the Protection from Harassment Act (1997) as far as I am aware. You are merely reminding the tenants of their contractual obligation.

It is unlikely to end well. Tenants who don't look after places are usually the ones that skip, or leave the place in poor order blaming you for some breach of contract that they have dreamt up.

I'd serve them notice and find a new agent.

agree on the harassment aspect, but if they have been in for over two years and the OP raised a concern over a year ago it's more likely they are just a bit scruffy than orchestrating a midnight flit, especially a tenant who has always paid on time.

OP, how scruffy are they and does it really matter? Any damage can be made-good out of their deposit which can be done whilst you ready the flat for the next tenant if they leave. Clearly not the case if they are systematically destroying the place, but it sounds more like they are just a bit grubby.

[Willhire89]

The Surveyor said:

agree on the harassment aspect, but if they have been in for over two years and the OP raised a concern over a year ago it's more likely they are just a bit scruffy than orchestrating a midnight flit, especially a tenant who has always paid on time.

OP, how scruffy are they and does it really matter? Any damage can be made-good out of their deposit which can be done whilst you ready the flat for the next tenant if they leave. Clearly not the case if they are systematically destroying the place, but it sounds more like they are just a bit grubby.

The flat now stinks of urine - and the issues are specific to the bathroom. The flooring throughout is wood laminate and I envisage it will soon ruin it. The flat was immaculate from the previous woman and the guy in there is single and clearly financially strapped despite working F/T - there's no fridge, washing machine, or television in there but he always pays on time. I'd say he has not got a pot to piss in but he does have the floor and surrounding area.

Been here before with a different flat and a woman who had MH issues and was pissing in the lounge - the smell of ammonia was so strong even after the carpets went I had to change floorboards - that was 2012

[So]

The Surveyor said:

agree on the harassment aspect, but if they have been in for over two years and the OP raised a concern over a year ago it's more likely they are just a bit scruffy than orchestrating a midnight flit, especially a tenant who has always paid on time.

OP, how scruffy are they and does it really matter? Any damage can be made-good out of their deposit which can be done whilst you ready the flat for the next tenant if they leave. Clearly not the case if they are systematically destroying the place, but it sounds more like they are just a bit grubby.

We've let to thousands of tenants over the past 25-years. Rarely does a tenant who keeps a property scruffily hand it back in good condition. It displays a fundamental disrespect for others, which will generally extend to being slippery when it comes to moving out.

[Wings]

^^^ absolutely agree, I have one similar Albanian single mum tenant, internal doors all show signs of domestic violence, carpets removed just floorboards, with signs of emulsion paint on floors, switches etc. Had to obtain a licence under HMO, thought here we go upon inspection by Environmental Health officer, officer gave the all clear, "if she/tenant wants to live like that, then that is up to her". That tenant has had a tenancy for over 10 years, pays her rent on time, regular annual rent increase.

In the OP's case I/LL would inspect the property myself, how one deals with a tenant like this, can decide how nasty it can end.