Tenancy Dispute.

[PeelerPal]

Hi, my friend has just only last week moved into a new rented property. He is looking for a long term rental as he has no plans to buy and he can't afford to buy anyway.
He advised the estate agent that he would be looking for a long term of at least 36 months and would be happy to sign up on a 36 month agreement. He found a house and he met the landlord and explained his situation to which the landlord was pleased as the landlord had only bought the property to let on a long term basis. My friend also asked the agent if, as it would be his new home that he could decorate it to an acceptable standard with the promise to put it back to as it was should the tenancy end and the agent said that the landlord would be fine with it. With everything looking good, as a good will gesture my friend signed up to an initial 6 month contract and paid the deposit and 2 months rent up front. When he moved in, he noticed that there were certain problems which he advised the landlord of and the landlord visited him at the property to inspect the problem. The problem was resolved and my friend was asked by the landlord if there were any other problems and my friend explained that the tv ariel point in the lounge was in an inconvenient place as it was next to the front window, which has a low cill (basically for an old crt television. He advised that with the size of his modern flat screen TV that the ariel point was in a position that is inconvenient because his tv will be in front of the window. He asked the landlord if he could have the ariel moved so that he can have the tv in a more appropriate place so that it is not on display to the public and so that his furniture can fit in the room correctly. He also offered to foot the bill for this so that the landlord would not incur any costs. Basically, the landlord came back to him and told him that he does not want the house altered in any way regardless of who pays or who carries out the work, he also advised my friend that he will not be permitted to even hang a picture. My friend is pretty upset as he wants to make a home of where he lives and was assured that the landlord is very reasonable but as soon as he paid over £3k and signed his agreement the landlord has basically said put up or shut up. My friend went to the estate agent to see if he could do anything to get out of it and the agent said that the landlord can release him from his tenancy agreement early so my friend agreed that it would be the best option. My friend believes he has been mis-sold the property and the landlord is asking him to pay the re - marketing fees and for a professional cleaner to clean the property even though he has only been there 5 days as of today. My friend has spent nearly £2000 in fees, removals and storage to move into this property and will have to again pay a new fee for another house and further costs for removals. Does my friend have any case to pursue with either the agency or the landlord to recover any of his losses??

Thanks for taking your time to read this.

[david small]

Sounds like he upset the landlord. He could have just got an extension lead for the TV. however relationship is soured. Perhaps an independent mediator might smooth the misunderstandings, and save sever wallet damage.

[PeelerPal]

That's what I asked him but he said he got along fine with the landlord and he did ask if he could put a lead in and the landlord said he would not allow a lead being pinned to the skirting boards etc. I know he is a friend of mine but I've known him for.a lot of years and he's a really cool guy although he can be a bit stubborn, I cannot imagine how he would have upset his landlord in under 24hrs. He's really upset and just wants out but doesn't want to lose out either.

[tamborine]

Your friend has stupidly locked horns with the landlord & lost. He should remain in the property (free) & withdraw his cancellation. It could take the llord 3mts to get him out legally. Wire tv where he wants decorate & await llords response.

Not a good start for either side but in time you might win the llord over

[PeelerPal]

I like your way of thinking but he wouldn't do that because he's not the type to stay there for free and cause a bigger problem, plus I advised him that it could go against his referencing for his next property. I'm normally the one who would be able to give him some good advice on this but I don't have a clue what he should do. I had a problem yrs ago with renting whilst my house was being extended and I would never rent again so I feel sorry for him. Thanks for your reply though did make me chuckle.

[tamborine]

This llord is not giving a good reference. Your friend can say circumstances have changed & he HAS to remain in situ. Withdraw cancellation or lose £2k.

[bednobs]

are you joking? Your friend wants to be 2k out of pocket because he's not allowed to hang a picture?
he could just get an aerial extension nd hve his tv where he likes

[PeelerPal]

He will then also lose his deposit though and that's another £1k. I recon he should find somewhere quickly and just cut his losses before it gets even more messy. Does anyone know if he has a legal route he can follow or would that just be a waste of time and money?

[bednobs]

or he could just do as the LL asks and wait six months. Six months is not a long time to miss your pictures in

[PeelerPal]

BEDNOBS he is not allowed to wall mount the tv and he is not allowed to have cables pinned anywhere. I have had a look at his room and the only suitable place for his tv is past a door opening so he would have to pin a cable around a door frame. He doesn't want to lose any money. He feels that he has been mis-sold the property and been basically lied to in order to part with his money.

[tamborine]

He can claim deposit back here if llord has used it. Dont move till he recovers deposit. That might give llord a headache or heavy fine/prison

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview

[PeelerPal]

He did say to me that if the landlord mentioned this initially then he would understand but that wasn't mentioned apparently and he just doesn't want to live for six months and part with his money for a house that is not fit for his purpose. I personally think that asking for a tv point to be moved is no big deal and the landlord is unreasonable but it's not my issue so I just feel for my friend.

[david small]

Put up with it for six months. Then move on, life's too short to let things like this eat into you. Go with the flow. I wish your friend well. Tell him not to take thing too seriously.

[PeelerPal]

Thanks tambourine, I will give him a ring and send him the link.

[bednobs]

i also think it's no big deal - however, just get him to buy a TV table for £50. I f the house ws so perfect 5 days ago, surely a tv (although takes the shine off) isn't an insurmountable problem?

[PeelerPal]

I'm all for that David, I think though it's more to do with the principal and the fact that he's had his fingers burnt. If it were me personally and I was lied to in order to get my money I would probably go to the landlords house and very politely and calmly squeeze the money out of him and off a few kind words of caution.

[PeelerPal]

Bednobs it's not the tv unit or anything like that. He needs to move the tv in a place so that he can get his sofas in the lounge otherwise he either has nowhere to sit or no tv. I hardly watch TV myself but I couldn't go without one either.

[Islay]

It is not uncommon for landlords not to want TVs hung on the walls or for holes in the walls from pictures.

I had a landlord that had it in our contract that we must only use the picture hooks that were already on the walls and not add any to it.