Would I be within reasonable rights to claim costs against a deposit where tenants exiting an AST early and had cancelled all bills payments early -meaning that I have had to chase them for payments and make sure that these payments are aligned with their their obligations, also where I have had to submit their payments? Extra admin with council tax etc.
Also
Having to clear rubbish from the outdoor bin where they have thrown out coat hangers and other bits and packaging not in a bin bag Meaning I have to go into a stinky water lodged bin and put all of this in a bin bag myself with gloves on - disgusting!
You can only charge for costs that you legitimately incurred. If the bills and CT were in their name, then you didnt need to pay them. If they left without notice and there was a gap in the rent then you can charge for that along with the actual costs of clearing the rubbish. You cant charge for the extra admin. Thats just part of your job as landlord.
David122 is bang on right (nothing new here). I’d also add that you cannot charge for your physical labour either. You can only claim against any actual provable costs where they would be deemed necessary such as building repairs where damage can be attributed to the tenants and with evidence.
On the work at home, that’s permitted if it’s say laptop work only. Running a business ex where customers or couriers come and go normally isn’t allowed.
Yes, but LL can’t charge for own time to clear it. Could charge for costs incurred such as mileage to tip. Could charge if he paid another co to do it. I think just one of those PITA tasks LLs have to deal with occasionally.
Hi, my tenant has an agreement that states a fixed furnished rent plus utilities, as per meter readings. At point of tenancy sign up he advised he was going to explore the best energy prices & then transfer the bills into his name, on his preferred tariff, with his preferred supplier. I have no problem with that. I did state, in writing, no change to card payment (pre-pay meter was permitted) and a smart meter conversion would need conversation/prior consent in writing. etc…and…if a change to supplier then I would submit a closing meter reading…as per sign up date meter reading,.in order to complete our accounts accordingly. The tenant has not changed suppliers. The utilities (gas/water/electric) are still in my name. As the tenancy agreement states that the tenant is responsible for utilities, on top of furnished rent charge, what are my legal rights against the tenant (under Section 8…already 2 months basic furnished rent arrears)…to protect myself against utility company debt?
I think youve made a mistake by not not charging the utilities as part of the rent if it was your intention to retain responsibility. If the tenant doesnt pay then you will have to sue them separately for the money. It wouldnt be rent arrears and you wouldnt be able to give them notice for such.
I’m also not clear why youre so keen to retain the top-up meter or to pay the bills if this is a single tenancy. It just complicates matters and those meters tend to work out more expensive for tenants. You also wouldnt be able to prevent the tenant from changing the meter if they wished as thats their right.
For future reference I would suggest you just do a standard tenancy that makes the tenant responsible for bills.
You misunderstand me. As previously stated…The teanancy agreement specifically states tenant is responsible for all utility costs on top of the furnished rent charge detailed in the agreement. The tenant requested his own research for utility provider,…AND to transfer bills into their name. At no point did I say I insisted on retaining utilities in my name, mhe wanted bills in his name & thatvwas fine with me. I consented but this is on a standard utility meter basis…no consent provided for a pre-pay/card charge meter. It is NOT a top up meter in the property
The correct procedure to cover yourself is that when a tenant moves into a property, you contact the energy supplier, close your interim account and give them the tenants details. That way, if the tenant fails to register for an account, the supplier can pursue only him, not you.
If the bills are in their name it is not your duty to pay them, nor to chase them up to pay them off. That duty belongs to the utility company. So you have no claim and you wasted your time getting involved.
All you needed to do was to record and submit the final meeting reading after they left. YOu pay for anything after that date - they have to chase the tenants for anything before that date. If you paid the tenants bill for them you made a big mistake - but have no legal rights to reclaim it !