Responses from HMRC

[AndrewDod]

The pump is part of the plumbing only for those flats with waste water needs below the level of the drain. What flats the drains serve is not relevant.

Was the flat even designed to have a bathroom in the basement. Bet you it is a recent addition (or at least more recent than the building...

[AndrewDod]

No, not unless the lease says you do (the law does not say you do). That is not to say you should not do your own fire risk assessment....

[AndrewDod]

Yes you can. Because some folk are thick. Are you saying that you cannot explain to a tenant that they need to put the shower curtain inside not outside because that is imposed lifestyle advice. Cobblers - the intention is to save the tenant a massive bill or the stress of being sued. It is not lifestyle...

[AndrewDod]

To clarify: the FH doing their fire risk assessment has nothing at all to do with your obligations. Nor are your obligations any business if the FH unless the lease gives you some in terms of FH. You might for example have to get fire alarms as a landlord, but that is no business of FH to know abou...

[AndrewDod]

The one has nothing to do with the other

No opinion...

[AndrewDod]

That is not really correct. If the floor needs fixing now to prevent the spread of dry/wet rot, then it needs a doing now (and the tenant needs to pay for the damage caused -- which might also be now). Of course you can "tell the tenant" not the damage the property. Causing extensive damage...

[AndrewDod]

The contract you have is the lease. It says what you have to do and what they can do. No more no less (unless the law dictates otherwise)....

[AndrewDod]

The agent is your agent. They are effectively acting as you. This is just rubbish (even if the tenant had not signed a data Protection paper to say they would permit disclosure).

You want EVERYTHING - not just some summary. You are not going to be accepting any tenant without full (not...

[AndrewDod]

Yes County Court....

[AndrewDod]

Is this a usable basement (by that flat owner) e.g for access, storage. If so I would have thought that it would probably be his responsibility to keep that environment nice for use (like heating, dehumidification etc).

What do pumps have to do with a drainage dispute? Is this actually...

[AndrewDod]

Is anyone getting any responses from HMRC these days at all. I sent then two R17 forms with certificates of postage -- one a year ago, another a month ago. No response or acknowledgement at all....

[AndrewDod]

You have had problems with that company? What of their straightforward Rightmove service? Are they not passing on enquiries received?...

[AndrewDod]

Your first step is to find your lease. If it says it increases then it does. If not it does not. It is your responsibility to keep FH updated with your address for service (and it is a good idea to be able to prove you have done that).

Until you find your lease, there is little more we...

[AndrewDod]

No compensation is due at all. Even if the tenant suffered a loss it would be doubtful - it involves a utility supply outside of your control. Certainly if the place was uninhabitable you might need to find alternative accommodation.

The freeholder certainly is not due to pay any compensation...

[AndrewDod]

The agreed rent payment date, and the tenancy dates have nothing to do with each other (unless you took elaborate steps, agreed with the tenant to do so). You did not take such steps. You simply agreed to accept late rent.

She will owe rent until the 5th unless you negotiate otherwise and...

[AndrewDod]

You probably are not missing much obvious - pay the tax....

Boiler servicing, tax software perhaps, maybe take the opportunity to fix stuff as you go otherwise you may end up with large expenses at the end with nothing to claim against. Tenant advertising, deposit protection fees, tenancy...

[AndrewDod]

I am no expert on commercial property - but yes, I think you will find that the individual with 8 of the 10 shares in the company can pretty much do whatever he likes (within the law - which only prevents some sorts of thefts and abuses). If you sue you will in effect be taking legal action against...

[AndrewDod]

So do you still think their original eviction (paragraph 1 of OP) was likely "unfair"? Or is "unfairness" only when it affects you personally, your lives, children and welfare? Did you speak to their previous landlord to see what impact it had on their life and welfare and health,...

[AndrewDod]

Usually when you first meet the tenants you can tell if they are decent folk or liars. The fact that there are even worse ones is not relevant (albeit true). Are you charging enough rent to take account of these liars and property destroyers....

[AndrewDod]

Exactly correct.

Nobody wants to talk about the massive detrimental impact the nanny state has had on tenants and prospective tenants. The more the nannying the greater the difficulties experienced by normal people wanting to go about their lives in a cooperative human manner, and the...