Being A Landlord Has Been Shit So Far

Yes, I think I’m in landlord hell. So far, as a landlord, I’ve had nothing but grief. Damn this industry; damn it to hell and back, and then to hell again. I know you all think I like to complain a lot, because that’s all i’ve been doing lately, but I swear, I have a right to complain!

Letting agents charge too much

Seriously, how do letting agents justify their prices? They charge between 10% to 15% of your yearly rental income, for what? They find you tenants- big deal. Demand for rental properties is so high right now that any idiot could find tenants. Once you actually need their help (after they’ve received their commission), they’re nowhere to be seen and they’re less than helpful when you can get a hold of them.

Why don’t letting agents ever call back?

After complaining to my agent yesterday about a payment issue, I was told that the manager of the branch would call me so he could personally address the issue. For a moment I felt important. Of course, the idiot never called. However, I had a 30min discussion with my dumbass of a letting agent. He cleared a few things up for me by answering the questions that needed to be answered E.g why am I getting multiple payments per month? Read on for answers…

My tenant was too stupid to accurately declare how much money she earns

I received a rental payment of £pound;250 cheque from the social benefit on behalf of my DSS tenant. I assumed I would get another cheque from the DSS in a week or so, to cover the rest of her allowance for the month. Social benefits some times split their payments up (God only knows for what reason). So for example, on the 15th of one month I would receive £pound;250, then on the 25th I would receive another £pound;250, and after that my tenant would pay the shortfall (the amount that’s left to pay). It’s such a stupid and complicated system for a landlord. I only want one fucking payment per calender month.

My agent explained that my tenant filled in a form (some random form she had to fill in when applying for her benefits) incorrectly, and actually declared that she was earning more than she actually is. Smart, aye? So, the council wasn’t actually going to send me a 2nd cheque, the £pound;250 was all they were going to send me for the entire month, while my tenant was expected to pay the rest. Of course she isn’t actually in a financial position to do that- even though she declared she was, accidently.

How stupid do you have to be to declare an incorrect salary?

Very. It was obvious I was providing tenancy to a very dull crayon. I only see a uphill struggle from now. Next she’ll be telling me that she didn’t realise she had to pay rent every month.

I requested one payment per calender month

I’ve dealt with DSS tenants before and it’s certainly not the easiest of processes. It’s not the actual tenants that cause problems (all the time), it’s the entire setup with the council. It’s just, well, stupid in the sense that it’s overly complicated. Before accepting a DSS tenant I made it clear that I would only accept a DSS tenant if they arrange it with the council so that I receive ONE entire payment per calender month. I don’t care how they do it, just as long as they arrange it. The problem is that the council give my tenant a certain allowance, because the monthly rental cost exceeds my tenant’s allowance, she had a shortfall to pay every month. I didn’t want two seperate payments, I wanted one so payments were easy to keep track of. My agent said he would arrange it, and that’s the only reason why I accepted the DSS tenant. Did he actually make it happen? Fuck no. I’m sitting here like a lemon waiting for two payments every month now. I’m pretty certain agents will say almost anything in order to get one of their clients into your property.

Right, that’s my day done, folks!

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Talk / 4 Comments left so far

Chris C wrote this on 2007-04-22 15:46:24 Private tentants who are not claiming benefits will give you much less aggravation if you are a landlord. One way another you'll end up out of pocket when dealing with social services. Trust me, been there done that, NO DSS, NO BIG ASS DOGS (that will bite you when you go to collect), NO DAMN FERRETTS and NO HOOKERS! I've had all of these in my time and would never , ever , ever allow a DSS tentant in a property of mine - ever! 1

Azize mehmet wrote this on 2008-03-06 14:56:15 I have been searching for a place to live now for the past year and cant get any landlord who accept dss which i think is completly wrong, I am 19 with 2 babys and this has put an huge stran on me , i have the deposits housing benifits will accept me so whats the problem i feel i am being desriminated on just because i claim benifits i am very clean and will not "mess up the property"
i just cant get my head around it? 2

The Landlord wrote this on 2008-03-06 15:00:56 Hey Azize,

Sorry to hear about your situation.

I have housed a few DSS tenants; I'm actually currently housing one. I have had both good and bad experiences. But the thing is, I try to stay clear from dss tenants, not because I think they will be trouble, but because I don't like the way the local authorities handle dss tenants. Payments are all messed up, and if anything ever does go wrong, they are pretty useless when it comes to helping out.

That's just from my own personal experience. I don't descriminate against the individuals claiming benefits, but I do descriminate against the actual DSS setup, which is unfortunately out of your hands.

I wish you the best of luck. 3

kaz wrote this on 2009-11-24 10:36:40 My experience as a landlord has been one of pure crap for the past year, my 1st tenants did a runner without paying me my rent and then decided to use an agent who I pay a great deal to monthly,they put dss tenants in my house who has basically been a nightmare and they have only been there 3 months.The rent is always late, Have had to provide new carpets and to top it off they had a house fire and blamed it on my oven, which the fire brigade then confirmed there was nothing wrong with it. My agent, I feel, has not supported me whatsoever and yesterday told me he was evicting this couple, leaving me with no money and not sure if I am entitled to my bond as am sure they will not leave my house in the same way it was received. Could anyone give me any advice as to whether I am entitled to any rent as they paid upfront and I have been paid in arrears...am sure my agent is going to say am not so if anyone could help, this would be great. Regards 4

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