18:29 PM, 27th February 2013, About 12 years ago 14
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Landlords and letting agents who visit their female tenants need to be ultra careful based on this landlords story of a crazy tenant. The guest author of this post wishes to remain anonymous.
About two years ago I went to collect my keys from a female tenant. She wanted me to come and collect my keys, inspect the premises and of course authorise the return of her deposit.
One of my conditions was that when she leaves she must have all the carpets steam cleaned, as she was child minding and I could smell children’s urine around. The general condition she was leaving the property in was nowhere near as clean as when I let her in.
She promised me that she would have all the carpets steam cleaned, but when I visited her she had not even vacuumed it properly, let alone had it steam cleaned professionally!
When I suggested that I will need to deduct around £50.00 from her £600 deposit to hire a steamcarpet cleaning machine and do it myself she went berserk!
She started to scream and tried drawing attention to herself as if I had done something to her!
I realised her evil and dirty intentions, she was trying to frame me for something, worse thoughts ran though my mind, would she accuse me of rape, or attempted rape?
Later on as she left in a fit, throwing my keys at my feet, and still crying out loud, still trying to draw attention from neighbours I suspect. As she walked away she turned and shouted “I’m going to report you to the Police”
I protested “what for?”
“You will will soon find out” she yelled!
My god! I was so shaken by this experience, I could not believe how someone I tried to help and provide the best facilities turned against me just like that all for a £50.00 levy on her deposit for not having my carpets cleaned properly.
A month later the Police came and arrested me, I was being charged for a common assault!
I did not even know what a common assault was!
The arresting officer explained that just touching someone can be considered an assault.
In the end the truth won the day, but not without a load of hassle. I strongly believe in the Almighty, he sided the truth, she had no witnesses, and I was released from the charge. However, it left me completely shocked and sick!
I could not eat properly with the anxiety of not knowing what the outcome would be. Will the Police or the Judge or the Jury believe that I am totally innocent or will they take her side for being a female I thought
I was in a real dilemma, I lost weight, I was so afraid that I had to visit a solicitor and paid him over £250.00 represent me in the Police station whilst my statement was being taken.
In the end the end I was told that due to lack of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service had decided not to pursue this charge any further but will leave my files open. Who knows for how long? They said that should any fresh evidence emerge I will face these charges again. I had to provide my fingerprints, DNA sample, and photos from all angles!
I feel so angry and will never trust another tenant ever again. I will always find another person to accompany me when visiting tenants in future, if not I will take a running Video camera.
I was thinking perhaps such evil tenants need to be named and shamed on a Landlord’s database so that other innocent landlords do not become her victim.
She is pure evil!
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David Main
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Sign Up16:15 PM, 2nd March 2013, About 12 years ago
I had a bad feeling once about an outgoing tenant. On vacating day I put my mobile into my shirt pocket, camera facing outwards, and began recording before I rang the doorbell. The tenant duly tried to shake me down for more than his deposit for supposedly ignoring complaints about an essential repair that he had needed to do instead. He incriminated himself beautifully and wasn't best pleased to be told (once I had my keys back and we were out of the house, of course) that the whole exchange had been videoed!
I don't know about the legalities of that but as a defence it's bullet proof.
Lisé Willcox
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Sign Up1:59 AM, 3rd March 2013, About 12 years ago
Scary stuff... Not all LL are men, whatever age or sex of the tenant it's best to consider the risks and consequences of all visits. Common assault is an offence where you don't have to actually touch someone, just pointing aggressively is enough, but that's all debatable too. I like the video idea ! If you do get nicked, use a free duty solicitor at the station...if you are worried about your actions go no comment and wait for the evidence. The CPS rarely prosecute Common Assault and never without an 80% chance of winning. But the law recognises that tenants are usually more vulnerable ...... So beware go by the rules!
As my portfolio gets bigger and more complicated with a varied range of social economic tenants I watch for warning signals following the normal credit checks, my experience as a full time hands on land lord now directs me that should a tenant give me concern I speak only by text or phone, then if unresovable I get a reputable management company in to work things through and matters usually improve. Tenants who are good are valued and know their valued, i deliberately look to spoil them after a couple of years of no problems. Good regular communication works for me. I never am critical, just justify my concerns. I don't attend with non independant witness's. I pick times of repair, maintenance and the gas check! That way it's not so threatening and intrusive into a home. Each property has a regular annual outside survey and discussions of improvement. Perhaps a carpet is changed just from the need of wear and tear, or the radiators are bled. It is money but also builds a bond. My end game is harmony and a regular income with a property that kept nicely could be sold easily. I look for long term tenants and actively take families with pets as I know they will stay because most landlords don't accept pets. It can work. If a tenant is terribly ill I look for adjustments either aiding their ability within their lives, or in a payment plan if they suddenly loose their job. If they don't have transport for unwanted furniture, I arrange it, the property stays nice. If they are moving in and I recognise a need, we do the move in, it helps cement a new understanding. I'm a pussycat really, but with rules and if the rent is a day late Im on to it. But rarely do I need to do that. I enjoy what I do and get good feed back. I recognise that some LL do not have the time I have. Or they have a big portfolio. I capped my portfolio this week with completion of my tenth property, done up on a retention mortgage, value added too (happy me) and tenanted next week, we will help her move in because she is disabled not terribly well off and with a lovely cat. she popped in regularly to see our renovating and decorating progress, bringing doughnuts ! and she chose the wallpaper and tiles. I don't really want more than I can manage myself and my income is now sufficient. I'm sure there will be issues sometime but that's life!
Kev Brooke-stowe
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Sign Up20:16 PM, 3rd March 2013, About 12 years ago
Just register with LRS (Landlords Referencing service) and put her details on there.
They have many warnings of bad tenents etc.
I've found it extremely helpful.
Kev
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Sign Up15:54 PM, 29th March 2013, About 12 years ago
This is the biggest load of rubbish that I have ever seen and I am amazed that you printed it!