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Can’t please some people

(81 Posts)
Primrose53 Wed 11-Jun-25 17:42:31

We have a house we rent out. Tenant has been in just over 6 months. Rang up on Sat. To say an appliance wasn’t working. I said we would get in touch with a qualified tradesman we always use and get back to her.

He rang her first thing on Mon to check when he could go. He was told she works full time so it would have to be after 6 or weekends. Of course, like most tradesmen these days they need family time so work 8-5 approx. And not weekends.

He suggested I meet him there and wait while he does the job to put her mind at rest. She says she does not like people in her home when she is not there. So she doesn’t trust him or me, her Landlord! she insists she cannot take time off work.

She then said she could “probably” get someone in to fix it out of hours but I said we always use qualified local people we know and trust as we pay the bill. I don’t want some bodger in there doing more harm than good so I told her not to do that and why.

She ignored two emails I sent her asking how she wished to proceed but has now sent me a very snotty email!

She should think herself lucky because a friend of my son has been waiting 6 months for his Landlord to replace a broken boiler and is now going down the legal route.

You can’t help some people.

BlueBelle Wed 11-Jun-25 17:54:06

Perhaps you shouldn’t renew her contract with you
She can’t call the tunes it’s your house not hers

Bea65 Wed 11-Jun-25 18:07:09

I believe as a LANDLORD, you only have to give your tenant 24hrs notice for you to access the home - and state it’s for safety purposes re boilers/ electrical equipment/plumbing issues…so you do have the authority here

Primrose53 Wed 11-Jun-25 18:13:52

BlueBelle

Perhaps you shouldn’t renew her contract with you
She can’t call the tunes it’s your house not hers

That’s what I feel like doing actually. My husband is very poorly and we don’t need this.

Primrose53 Wed 11-Jun-25 18:14:40

Bea65

I believe as a LANDLORD, you only have to give your tenant 24hrs notice for you to access the home - and state it’s for safety purposes re boilers/ electrical equipment/plumbing issues…so you do have the authority here

Yes I believe you are right. Thanks

Celieanne86 Wed 11-Jun-25 18:15:15

Surely she must know someone she can trust to be in the house while the job is being done, she can’t be totally friendless can she ? Or can she 🤔

Grannybags Wed 11-Jun-25 18:16:43

This is why we use an Agent

growstuff Wed 11-Jun-25 18:31:24

I'm a tenant and I don't like anybody in the house when I'm not here. Obviously, it's the landlord's house, but it's my home and I have the right to "quiet enjoyment".

I've recently had some taps replaced when I wasn't here, but that was the first time in 11 years that anybody has been in the house when I'm not here. I've spoken to contractors and they also prefer to have the tenant present, in case there are allegations of theft. I don't see the tenant as being awkward.

My landlord does use an agent and I've said in the past that I would be prepared to have somebody in the house if the agent is present, but it's never happened. In fact, I know my landlord quite well, but he has stated categorically that he wouldn't enter the house unless I'm here. The tenant does have the right to request another time, if the suggested time is not convenient.

We both treat each other with respect. As a consequence, I have a good landlord and my landlord has a good tenant.

OldFrill Wed 11-Jun-25 18:58:40

Bea65

I believe as a LANDLORD, you only have to give your tenant 24hrs notice for you to access the home - and state it’s for safety purposes re boilers/ electrical equipment/plumbing issues…so you do have the authority here

The tenant has to agree that you can have access.

Oreo Wed 11-Jun-25 19:51:06

An awkward tenant!
If she wants the appliance mended then she has to agree a time when it can be done.People take time off for the dentist and many other reasons so no reason why she can’t.
I would tell her this firmly and insist that no workman that she chooses is allowed in your house servicing your appliance.
And don’t renew her contract.

Witzend Wed 11-Jun-25 20:30:51

Grannybags

This is why we use an Agent

We used an agent for a few years, but they eventually proved to be exasperatingly incompetent.
Our tenants have always been happy for us to be there for tradesmen, if they are unable to.

I have absolutely no problem with tenants expecting ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their home - I’d certainly expect the same - but there’s surely a big difference between unnecessary intrusiveness, and facilitating repairs if the tenant is unable to be present.

OldFrill Wed 11-Jun-25 21:13:50

The tenant has come up with a compromise. I'd ring the tradesman she wants to use, agree the cost and let her allow him access. You are being quite obstructive as a landlord, and your personal problems are not her concern.

growstuff Wed 11-Jun-25 21:25:18

Witzend

Grannybags

This is why we use an Agent

We used an agent for a few years, but they eventually proved to be exasperatingly incompetent.
Our tenants have always been happy for us to be there for tradesmen, if they are unable to.

I have absolutely no problem with tenants expecting ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their home - I’d certainly expect the same - but there’s surely a big difference between unnecessary intrusiveness, and facilitating repairs if the tenant is unable to be present.

Well, it's up to individuals I guess. I'm a tenant and I'm not happy to have people in my home when I'm not there.

growstuff Wed 11-Jun-25 21:26:06

Oreo

An awkward tenant!
If she wants the appliance mended then she has to agree a time when it can be done.People take time off for the dentist and many other reasons so no reason why she can’t.
I would tell her this firmly and insist that no workman that she chooses is allowed in your house servicing your appliance.
And don’t renew her contract.

No, it's her house and her appliance while she's living there and paying the rent.

Primrose53 Wed 11-Jun-25 21:39:39

OldFrill

The tenant has come up with a compromise. I'd ring the tradesman she wants to use, agree the cost and let her allow him access. You are being quite obstructive as a landlord, and your personal problems are not her concern.

No way. It states in the tenancy agreement that we will be responsible for all repairs and we use qualified and trusted people.

When she said she could “probably” get someone she did not give me any details so it could be anybody and I am not prepared to take the risk.

I consider she got first class service as the tradesman contacted her first thing after the weekend. Some Landlords make people wait.

If you can’t find time to be at home for the Gas Board, Electricity or delivery people then it’s hard luck. Same here.

Luckygirl3 Wed 11-Jun-25 21:42:04

You are allowed to go in with proper notice. You need a decent person doing the job - it will be your asset that will be burned down if it goes up in smoke!

Primrose53 Wed 11-Jun-25 21:49:38

growstuff

I'm a tenant and I don't like anybody in the house when I'm not here. Obviously, it's the landlord's house, but it's my home and I have the right to "quiet enjoyment".

I've recently had some taps replaced when I wasn't here, but that was the first time in 11 years that anybody has been in the house when I'm not here. I've spoken to contractors and they also prefer to have the tenant present, in case there are allegations of theft. I don't see the tenant as being awkward.

My landlord does use an agent and I've said in the past that I would be prepared to have somebody in the house if the agent is present, but it's never happened. In fact, I know my landlord quite well, but he has stated categorically that he wouldn't enter the house unless I'm here. The tenant does have the right to request another time, if the suggested time is not convenient.

We both treat each other with respect. As a consequence, I have a good landlord and my landlord has a good tenant.

I only do a 6 months check - you make it sound like I am round there all the time! Previous tenants were there 12 years without a problem.

Landlords are not allowed to enter a property without the tenant being there. When I do 6 monthly checks I give them notice and agree a date and time which is the correct procedure.

Casdon Wed 11-Jun-25 21:53:49

I think the tenant needs to arrange to be there, or for a relative or friend of hers to be there, at an agreed time, for the repair to be done in normal working hours. That’s what we all do if we are home owners, or if we live in a council property, and if she doesn’t want anybody to access unless she’s not there, put simply, she needs to be there.

Casdon Wed 11-Jun-25 21:54:32

Sorry unless she’s there, I put a superfluous not in.

Allira Wed 11-Jun-25 22:31:40

growstuff

Witzend

Grannybags

This is why we use an Agent

We used an agent for a few years, but they eventually proved to be exasperatingly incompetent.
Our tenants have always been happy for us to be there for tradesmen, if they are unable to.

I have absolutely no problem with tenants expecting ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their home - I’d certainly expect the same - but there’s surely a big difference between unnecessary intrusiveness, and facilitating repairs if the tenant is unable to be present.

Well, it's up to individuals I guess. I'm a tenant and I'm not happy to have people in my home when I'm not there.

If she needs this appliance mended she'll have to take time off work, then.

Just as a homeowner would.

JenniferEccles Wed 11-Jun-25 22:47:40

This woman is being very unreasonable.
You reacted very promptly to her report of an appliance problem, as did your tradesman.
She should have been grateful that you acted swiftly, yet she has put obstacles in the way.

Lets be charitable and say perhaps it is difficult for her to take time off work, yet she has rejected your offer to go to your property while the work is being done.

It doesn’t bode well for her as a tenant, does it?

We also rent out a property and at every change of tenancy, we have always had several prospective tenants to choose from, along with advice from our letting agent.

OldFrill Wed 11-Jun-25 23:06:26

Primrose53

OldFrill

The tenant has come up with a compromise. I'd ring the tradesman she wants to use, agree the cost and let her allow him access. You are being quite obstructive as a landlord, and your personal problems are not her concern.

No way. It states in the tenancy agreement that we will be responsible for all repairs and we use qualified and trusted people.

When she said she could “probably” get someone she did not give me any details so it could be anybody and I am not prepared to take the risk.

I consider she got first class service as the tradesman contacted her first thing after the weekend. Some Landlords make people wait.

If you can’t find time to be at home for the Gas Board, Electricity or delivery people then it’s hard luck. Same here.

If this went to a tribunal l doubt you'd have a leg to stand on. Have you tried to find another, more accommodating tradesman? You're refusing to use the one your tenant has suggested without even looking into it, you've written him off.
You are being entirely unreasonable.

Mt61 Wed 11-Jun-25 23:26:56

Isn’t the governor doing a five year deal? your rent paid, council tax paid, all repairs, they foot the bill, & white goods provided, I’ve heard- tell her to find something elsewhere, if she isn’t happy.

Mt61 Wed 11-Jun-25 23:27:13

Mt61

Isn’t the governor doing a five year deal? your rent paid, council tax paid, all repairs, they foot the bill, & white goods provided, I’ve heard- tell her to find something elsewhere, if she isn’t happy.

Government I mean

Lathyrus3 Wed 11-Jun-25 23:43:25

A tenant is entitled to a prompt response to any repair.

A tradesman is entitled to state his working hours.

A landlord is entitled to chose which tradesman they will employ to carry out work on their property.

You have carried out your responsibility promptly. The tradesman has also responded promptly.
Now it is the tenants responsibility to make it possible for the tradesman to carry out the repair requested.

You probably won’t want to renew the contract but it’s not that easy. I hope youre not going to have lots of problems with this tenant🙁