feduplandlord
22-04-2008, 13:07 PM
My tenants moved into the property in August 2006. Firstly I wanted £1070 for rent and they asked if we could settle at £1000 a month - so I agreed. As I had already paid the water bill up front for the year back in April 2006 - I told them they do not have to pay the water for the year - we removed it and we all signed next to it on the tenancy agreement. By the time the contract was coming to an end and we were to sign a new one end of July 2007, my husband and I had separated and he was giving me problems about them signing a new contract with me and wanted them to rather sign with him. To avoid his stupid demands, my lawyer suggested I just let the current agreement run on a month to month basis. However - a few problems arose from this:
1. The next water bill of £225 for the following year was due in April 2008. I covered both 2006 and 2007’s water bills for them (I paid 2007’s bill without realizing it was at my rented address! – stupid, I know!!)
2. I didn't increase their rent after the 1st year expired. (I was out of the country and mid in my divorce, so my head was else where!)
3. I saved them over £2000 in this period from August 2006 – March 2008 by:
(a) not increasing the rent with approx 5% when I should have (+- £400 saving)
(b) saving them £70 a month by agreeing to let them pay only £1000 rent a month instead of the original £1070 (+- £1400 saving for the 20 months!)
(c ) by covering the water bills 2006 & 2007 (+- £400)
When I received the water bill for 2008 in April that they forwarded on to me, I called them up and said that they are responsible for paying all bills. He then said they are not and referred to the agreement of 2006 where we removed it from the agreement! I made him aware of all the “favours” (stupid again, I know!!!) and the more than £2000 saving and asked politely if they would please mind covering the bill for £225? Needless to say after making them aware of how I’ve saved them money etc. and knowing that I would (a) Include the water in their next agreement (b) Increase their rent they gave notice there and then and have now left the property.
Can I hold back money for the water bills and or the rent increase that was due August 2007 or not?
Thank you in advance.
1. The next water bill of £225 for the following year was due in April 2008. I covered both 2006 and 2007’s water bills for them (I paid 2007’s bill without realizing it was at my rented address! – stupid, I know!!)
2. I didn't increase their rent after the 1st year expired. (I was out of the country and mid in my divorce, so my head was else where!)
3. I saved them over £2000 in this period from August 2006 – March 2008 by:
(a) not increasing the rent with approx 5% when I should have (+- £400 saving)
(b) saving them £70 a month by agreeing to let them pay only £1000 rent a month instead of the original £1070 (+- £1400 saving for the 20 months!)
(c ) by covering the water bills 2006 & 2007 (+- £400)
When I received the water bill for 2008 in April that they forwarded on to me, I called them up and said that they are responsible for paying all bills. He then said they are not and referred to the agreement of 2006 where we removed it from the agreement! I made him aware of all the “favours” (stupid again, I know!!!) and the more than £2000 saving and asked politely if they would please mind covering the bill for £225? Needless to say after making them aware of how I’ve saved them money etc. and knowing that I would (a) Include the water in their next agreement (b) Increase their rent they gave notice there and then and have now left the property.
Can I hold back money for the water bills and or the rent increase that was due August 2007 or not?
Thank you in advance.