Can’t please some people

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

But that is the problem. The tenant is not treating the landlord with respect, she is playing silly b*ggers.

I agree with OldFrill

I would not let someone into my house to do work if I wasn't there and never have done so I think that part is very reasonable.
BUT if this person wants her appliance mended then she has to take time off work herself just like anybody else would or else arrange for a friend etc to house sit while the work is being done. I would point this out to her again and give her a time limit to come up with a suitable date that your contractor agrees. No idea re the legalities of obtaining access without her permission but surely this should be a last resort.

Allira

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.

The tenant is offering an alternative which the landlord point blank refuses to consider.
The landlord is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Can you ask her to let you know which tradesperson she wants to use and then you check our his qualifications and registrations, and yes or no it? I don't think you need to pay any after hours excess charges but, if it's not too much, it could be simpler just to do it. I do agree she should ideally arrange to be home, like home owners need to do.

I agree with grownstuff and oldfrills

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🙁

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is why we use an Agent