After a high profile tenant disagreement about an electricity meter led to a nightmare tenant causing £12,000 worth of damage to the £100,000 property he rented, earlier this week, Belvoir Sheffield is warning landlords that using an agent is essential in avoiding such nightmare scenarios.
The damage to the property reportedly included kicking down doors, ripping out wall fittings, and allowing stray dogs to chew carpets and other fixtures, after the owner was informed that the tenant was tampering with the electricity, and a dispute quickly began.
Karim Haji, owner of the property located in Blackpool, discovered the damage after collecting the keys to examine it. The jobless tenant, whose £65 weekly rent was paid through benefits, had also left rotting pots and pans in the kitchen.
Rick Flay, Director at Belvoir Sheffield, who offer a wide range of residential property to let in Sheffield, said: “This case is truly shocking and should be a wake up call to landlords. By passing electricity is illegal and Mr Haji was correct in warning his tenant about this activity. After he ignored the warnings a second time, Mr Haji then contacted the electricity board and this is when the tenant sought revenge. Landlords have to be extremely careful when letting out their property and should ensure that full credit checks are carried out, and references are provided.
In addition to this, using an agent to act as the ‘middle man’ can provide a neutral line of communication and act as a go-between if a dispute does arise. It is much better to ensure that you are protected than to experience around £12,000 worth of damage if things do take a turn for the worse.”
Speaking originally to the Daily Mail, Mr Haji said: ‘I was absolutely sickened when I opened the door, the smell was bad enough to knock me back before I even saw the state of it. I’ve estimated it will cost me around £12,000 to put right after what this person has done. The house used to be immaculate.
Mr Haji continued: ‘I’m so bitter about that – the government needs to do something. It’s a tough time, we just want to break even and with the banks not lending and insurance companies tightening their belt, it is us who pay the price at the end of the day.”
Rick, whose letting agency on Campo Lane in Sheffield, specialises in providing flats to let Sheffield, added: ” By opting to let a property through a reputable lettings agent, it will reduce the likelihood of such horror stories occurring in the first place. For example we do really thorough credit checks such as checking for CCJ’s (County Court Judgements), talking to previous landlords, getting next of kin details in case tenants up and leave, ensuring that they are all in full time employment and that salaries quoted are genuine.
Even if you want to look after your property yourself talk to an agent such as ours to get help with this credit checking process. Many tenants will come to your directly because they don’t want to be checked out.”
Belvoir Lettings Sheffield is the One Stop Shop Specialists for residential property, for buying and selling, for lettings including property management, investment, and wealth management advice, fit outs and renovations, mortgages and conveyancing.
Belvoir Sheffield was the winner of the Belvoir Franchise of the Year Award for 2013
For more information on Belvoir Sheffield, please call lettings on 0114 25 25 215 or sales on 0114 331 0033, or email us at sheffield@belvoirlettings.com
