house worry

LegacyUser

Hi.
Bit of a dilemma here, but here goes...
I am in my late 30's. I have a house that I have lived in for over ten years. The other three rooms are rented out(I get a part of the rent money for being the landlady's agent and looking after things in general).

Recently I decided that I really needed my own space. So I am renting an apartment with a six month lease nearer to where I work. But I almost always stay weekends(or the odd day during the week) in my room in the house, because it's closer to the city centre. Also I feel very attached to the house, am sometimes worried that some careless person might leave a candle burning or something, and would be wary of entrusting it to anyone else.
It's actually owned by an elderly relative who lives abroad and rarely visits. We get on great and because I'm the only child it is understood that the house will be in my name once she passes on.

The house is kind of quaint and unspoilt.
It's just that a few of the tenants and/or their friends can be a bid ott at times. I don't mind people having a drink or whatever, but there's been a few incidents of red wine stains on carpets, once or twice i've had complaints from the neighbours about loud music.

Would appreciate any advice from anyone in a similar situation. I'm not sure what to do.

Saintly

The reality is that when you rent a house out to tenants, you run the risk of them being less careful of the property than if you yourself lived there. Have a word with the present tenants if you think it would help - they don't sound particularly unusual or awful. In future, perhaps they could strike some sort of arrangement with the neighbours before their occasional parties - re time music is switched off etc. If they spill wine, it is their reponsibility to get the carpet cleaned etc. Have you specific reasons to believe that your tenants are careless enough to set the house on fire? If not, why worry? That's what insurance is for...

Alternatively, let this lease run its course and next time look for more mature tenants. Or you could always consider striking a financial deal with your relative to invest in the house yourself now and get rid of the renters altogether...

Saintly.

Asiaprod

Saintly wrote:

Or you could always consider striking a financial deal with your relative to invest in the house yourself now and get rid of the renters altogether...Saintly.

Sounds like a good idea, you are already paying two rents as it is. You can always re-tenant the house later with people you select. I am not sure what lease agreements tenents sign over your part of the world, here in Japan, we pay large deposits and have a whole document listing conditions of occupancy that cover things like damage and making noise late at night. We have to inform our neibours 1 week in advance of any party.

Asiaprod

Asiaprod wrote:

Sounds like a good idea, you are already paying two rents as it is. You can always re-tenant the house later with people you select. I am not sure what lease agreements tenents sign over your part of the world, here in Japan, we pay large deposits and have a whole document listing conditions of occupancy that cover things like damage and making noise late at night. We have to inform our neibours 1 week in advance of any party.

Even if you only just got some brilliant news or something? =/

Asiaprod

bluewolf wrote:

Even if you only just got some brilliant news or something? =/

Yep, very very strict. The local laws in Japan stipulate that all sounds be turned down after 9pm, and the police really enforce it.

Miguel_Sanchez

Red wine stains on the carpet - surely the tenants have paid security deposits and the cost of cleaning or replacing the carpet would come out of this?

Mighty_Mouse

Also I feel very attached to the house, am sometimes worried that some careless person might leave a candle burning or something, and would be wary of entrusting it to anyone else.

You sound like the worst possible landlord-tenent living together that the tenants could of landed with !!

Red wine on carpet in unacceptable but security deposits?
Loud music - depends on how late and frequency. Everyone is gonna have the odd party.

On a general note - how many times have we heard of people in your situation getting burned when their elderly relative passes away. Either without leaving a will (everyone & their dog entitled to a piece).

Would you not of been better off approaching the elderly relative about paying a nominal sum for the property? Or at least getting things in paper.
But remember if going down that route to talk to a tax adviser.

antoinolachtnai

Your immediate problem is with standing in with the landlord. It's not that easy to be a landlord. Just remember that being firm doesn't necessarily mean that you can't be gentle and sensitive. You should ask about these things and find out what is going on.

If it helps to depersonalize it, tell them that the landlord has had complaints and that you have been asked to find out what's going on.

But you should get your other issues sorted out too. Your elderly relative abroad would probably be better off with some cash for the house at this stage. There will probably also be a tax benefit for the two of you overall of you buying some or all of the house now (although this is arguable). If you get on well with this lady, you should definitely talk to her. I would consider asking her out straight, what are her plans and would she like to sell you the house or a share of it, the next time you see her.