Messy tenants

[Canmore]

So I had to go around to Mrs C's old flat (newly built n 2012) to do some maintenance the other day. The tenants were away and not expecting the visit, but they allowed me access.

When I got there I was shocked how dirty / messy the place was. It looked like they had not cleaned the bathroom / kitchen since they moved in 5 months ago - it was professionally cleaned by exiting tenants

The bathroom work surface was filthy, covered in toothpaste stains, shaving foam. Sink / bath and shower covered in limescale

The kitchen sink was covered in limescale, and cabinets looked filthy, covered in water marks and grease

Also, they had covered the centrally wired smoke detector with a plastic bag!

Mrs C was a little upset as she is concerned about the long term impact on sinks, work surfaces and cabinets of the lack of cleaning

Aside from the lack of cleaning it doesn't look like they have been mistreating the place. We're not sure what we can do?

Any thoughts?

 

[Smiffy]

Typical private tenants.
When I bought my flat many years ago, it had been privately rented out before being put up for sale.
It was a shitehole.
It looked like the geezer in there before me had changed a motorbike engine on the living room carpet.
It's not "theirs" so most of them don't give a toss.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

What does your lease say? That is the bible.

Do you have a decent security deposit from them? That is the fall back.

Ultimately,if your lease doesn't specify ongoing condition of the place then it may only need to be spotless when they leave. How it is during their stay may be either irrelevant or out of your control. Check that lease though, that is everything.

 

[Canmore]

What does your lease say? That is the bible.

Do you have a decent security deposit from them? That is the fall back.

Ultimately,if your lease doesn't specify ongoing condition of the place then it may only need to be spotless when they leave. How it is during their stay may be either irrelevant or out of your control. Check that lease though, that is everything.

6 week deposit but will that really cover the cost of replacing work surfaces, sinks if damaged.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Just 're read your post. You said everything is okay, just a bit dirty. If that is the case then step away. You don't control your tenants. You aren't their parents. They are entitled to be scruffy as long as the contents are ultimately fine and it is clean when they leave. You have to emotionally detach yourself from this place, it's just business.

 

[Coffey]

I have just moved out of rented accommodation and have to say didn't keep it spotless every single day. Was more of a big clean every so often. Maybe didn't look as grimy as that with water stains but maybe that is all to do with the hardness of water in the area. But it all cleans up very well and looks shiny when finished.

I'd be more worried about carpets, furniture (if furnished), doors and walls. My family has a few properties rented out and we have had nightmare tenants, ones who let their dog and baby do what they want where they want, others that had massive parties kicking down doors and tearing up carpets. The property is just left empty now as so much was spent between the two tenants to fix it up its not even worth it anymore.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

I'd be most concerned about the bag on the smoke detector and maybe raise it with them.

And make sure that all my insurances on the property were bang up to date.

 

[Hobbit]

The bag on the smoke detector gives the insurance company an out if there's a fire. Partial payment or no payment. And then you'd be liable for damage, and just not with your flat. You'd have to the chase the tenants - good luck with that one.

Do you have inspection visits in the lease?

Alternatively, tell them you're not happy. It might only take that to have them buck up.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

The only reason I can think for covering up the smoke detector is that they are smoking in the flat. Is that permitted under your lease? You may have to factor in a deep clean and possible redecoration when they move out. Other than that, the pictures just show general grime which will clean up pretty quickly.

 

[Coffey]

I assume the covering up the smoke detector is smoking as well. But would think you would have smelt that when you entered the property. In our last rental, the tenants before us smoked and we didn't realise on our viewing as all the windows were open. When we moved in we got the landlords to professionally clean the sofas and then we repainted all of the walls as the smell was horrendous. If we knew it had been smoked in previously we would not have rented it. So if they are smoking, I would try and stop that ASAP.

 

[freddielong]

As the others have said you have no comeback on how tidy they keep the flat but you have to speak to them about the smoke detector, it may just be overly sensitive and too near the cooker but check it could null your insurance.

 

[Canmore]

Totally agree we can't control how clean / tidy the tenants are but we have two potential issues:

1. What if the lack of cleaning damages the wooden countertops in the bathroom or kitchen? There was a mass of toothpaste stains, and shaving foam, other gunk all over the bathroom surfaces

2. What if we were to show prospective tenants around in the future? It's hardly likely to be very attractive when in absolute mess, especially in the bathroom and kitchen

I don't think they are smoking, as the other smoke detector in the hall was not covered. The one covered was a little close to the open plan kitchen - although Mrs C and I never had problems with it when cooking there previously

Thanks for everyone's comments! Just proves this a great forum, golfing wise or not!

 

[Rooter]

meh thats just surface, if its not up to your standard when they leave, deduct the cost to make right from their deposit.

Thank yourself you don't own next door to me! They built a weed farm as you may have seen from a post a few months ago, builder is fixing it back up, but still has no power. SSE want 3800 quid to reconnect the power and fit a new meter as they had bypassed the old one and the police needed it cut off to investigate! One of many bills the owner has to face, i am guessing its going to cost her upward of 20k plus loss of rental income.

 

[richart]

The only reason I can think for covering up the smoke detector is that they are smoking in the flat. Is that permitted under your lease? You may have to factor in a deep clean and possible redecoration when they move out. Other than that, the pictures just show general grime which will clean up pretty quickly.

Could be like one of ours that goes off everytime you grill some bacon. If the property was professionally cleaned before the new tenants arrived, you should be able to tell immediately if someone has been smoking. Well a non smoker would be.

 

[Chisteve]

The tennents should keep clean - but there is always ware and tear you should be able to deduct any cleaning costs incurred if they leave dirty - you have made an unexpected visit

The fire alarm is a very large no no or could be faulty

You will need to communicate your concerns and ask about the fire alarm etc

Hope this helps

 

[SocketRocket]

You must tell them about the fire alarm and insist this doesn't happen again (put it in writing). I see no reason not to tell them that you are unhappy with the cleanliness of the property, citing the things you have put in the photos. What's the worse that can happen, they will either ignore you or move out in which case you can keep their deposit to pay for a deep clean.

 

[Fish]

The tenants were away and not expecting the visit, but they allowed me access.

Can you expand on this please as its a little contradictory?

 

[Canmore]

Can you expand on this please as its a little contradictory?

I contacted them to request access as per the lease - they were back home on holiday and confirmed I could access the flat with our master key

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You must tell them about the fire alarm and insist this doesn't happen again (put it in writing). I see no reason not to tell them that you are unhappy with the cleanliness of the property, citing the things you have put in the photos. What's the worse that can happen, they will either ignore you or move out in which case you can keep their deposit to pay for a deep clean.

The problem with changing tenants is it costs a lot of money. Most agents charge a finders fee and credit and background checks are typically about £400. I've always gone for as long a lease as possible when renting out my flat.

 

[Craigg]

Totally agree we can't control how clean / tidy the tenants are but we have two potential issues:

1. What if the lack of cleaning damages the wooden countertops in the bathroom or kitchen? There was a mass of toothpaste stains, and shaving foam, other gunk all over the bathroom surfaces

2. What if we were to show prospective tenants around in the future? It's hardly likely to be very attractive when in absolute mess, especially in the bathroom and kitchen

I don't think they are smoking, as the other smoke detector in the hall was not covered. The one covered was a little close to the open plan kitchen - although Mrs C and I never had problems with it when cooking there previously

Thanks for everyone's comments! Just proves this a great forum, golfing wise or not!

You can possibly change this to a heat detector if it's causing nuisance alarms. Clear it with your insurance company first, but a working heat detector is much more use than a covered smoke detector.