Leaving rented accommodation after 12 years.

LocoJoe

I need a advice on handling a LL that I haven't seen in 12 years. I've fixed issues in the house, but there's been burst pipes and water damage to walls and ceilings that I never reported. Inside the house, the decor is also tired and worn - I've done some painting without the LL's knowledge. The exterior of the house has never been maintained - worn paint and semi clogged guttering, although I've cut the grass!

I know I should have contacted my LL over the years. The rent was never increased and I didn't want the LL to visit, since I've been self conscious. Now I'm leaving, what are my responsibilities, in terms of notice period and house repair?

3DataModem

Who repaired the burst pipes?

I'm a landlord and would expect the place to require a full redecoration after 12 years, and would generally cheerfully give a full deposit back knowing I'd have to redo everything.

However an un-reported burst pipe? My concern would be who repaired it, is the work certified, is the work safe, etc.

My advice to you is to

1. check your lease to see what you are obliged to maintain. Typically external stuff is the job of the landlord.
2. figure out if the burst pipe is a problem, at least have the name of the person who fixed it, and when.

C3PO

I believe that the proper notice period is 112 days. You may well lose your deposit but I think that’s as bad as it will realistically get!

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122159262#Comment_122159262

I had a qualified plumber fix the issue. It was done back in 2020. No issues since. I had the hot water cylinder replaced (source of the leak). Edit, it was a leaking cylinder not "burst pipes"

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122162548#Comment_122162548

Thanks! Tbh the deposit was very low. I'm quite happy to walk away without it.

con747

OP I'm glad you were never renting off me! TBH when I seen you say you cut the grass that was enough. I hope if you rent again you get a landlord as good as you had.

SharkMX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163577#Comment_122163577

I used to cut the grass when i rented too. Took me 30 mins every 2 weeks. I should have got a medal for it :)

Now I have my own house I have to cut it every week in front and back garden. Never knew how easy i had it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163577#Comment_122163577

Good Lord, I hope you aren’t a LL.

The op hasn’t needed to contact his/her LL in 12 years and carried out repairs at his/her expense. This is an ideal tenant.

What a ball ache it must be for you to go cut your tenants grass every week.

ArrBee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163858#Comment_122163858

Previous post was being sarcastic…..surely?
Hopefully…. :S

Tombo2001

I presume you've seen this:

https://www.rtb.ie/registration-and-compliance/ending-a-tenancy/how-a-tenant-can-end-a-tenancy

RTB says surprisingly little about responsibilities of Tenants on giving notice.

Compared to quite a detailed piece about the responsibilities of Landlords.

Anyway OP, I think you'll be find - most people - tenants and landlords - are fundamentally decent and reasonable; and sounds like both yourself and your landlord are in this category.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164053#Comment_122164053

Thanks for the link. I've not been a perfect tenant, but I've never missed rent payment. The house is in good shape, although the exterior needs addressing. I wished I'd contacted the LL concerning the Hot Water Cylinder leak - instead I paid for the replacement myself.

SharkMX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164032#Comment_122164032

Thats how i took it too. Loaded with sarcasm

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163577#Comment_122163577

In the 12 years I've rented, I've had tradesman fix many issues at my expense. The house is clean and the oil burner has been serviced yearly, again at my expense. I've also had the exterior of the house cleaned by power wash, although the gutters were untouched.

I'm not looking to be thanked for keeping the house running. I had these issues fixed because my LL was absent for 12 years and we have no communication or rapport. Is this an excuse, yes it is. I haven't found it comfortable to contact them. I let this situation continue for way too long, but without any LL communication it became the norm.

Some people are quick to judge and I guess you seem to fall into that category. It's unfortunate you didn't offer some advice. If you're a LL, then your experience would have been very insightful.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164032#Comment_122164032

TBH, I'm taking the post at face value. I responded to the post, but then I realised that I'm trying to justify my actions or lackof.

Tombo2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164067#Comment_122164067

Thats not a big deal; I'd be fairly sure Landlord wont care.

ballyharpat

As a landlord for 13 years, I have one tenant like you, they are no bother, although I still do a 'check' every 6 months. The rent was an issue a few times over the years, but we addressed it. I'd be redecorating the place as well after 12 years, so I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

You did well that you didn't give him a headache like some, and he did well that he didn't increase your rent. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, fair play to you, best of luck with your move.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164300#Comment_122164300

Thanks for the reply and info.

burtner

Do You know for certain that the Landlord is Alive? No joking.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164338#Comment_122164338

Thankfully the LL is still alive! I sent them a text, requesting their address. The LL responded.

3DataModem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163530#Comment_122163530

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164300#Comment_122164300

Ditto. I now use an agent who does regular inspections, but back in the day I did f-all and hoped for a tenant like OP. I'd make sure and have the same for the person who replaced the cylinder and provide that to landlord (and a receipt, ideally). I've seen landlords complain about residual damage (e.g. "you never cleaned the gutters, so the drain blocked, which caused X damage") but that's what inspections are for… and it's up to the LL to inspect. Good luck.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122165185#Comment_122165185

Thanks for the info.

dasdog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122164465#Comment_122164465

I too have taken care of my place for 10+ years without contact but I noticed a payment from a standing order bounced last year. After some enquiry I found out my LL had passed away. Roll on 12 months and her estate have decided to re-use the property for family purposes.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122163858#Comment_122163858

Maybe you should read the opening post again. " there's been burst pipes and water damage to walls and ceilings that I never reported." "Inside the house, the decor is also tired and worn" "The exterior of the house has never been maintained - worn paint and semi clogged guttering" "The rent was never increased and I didn't want the LL to visit" but they mowed the grass so a great tenant.

pooley124

How extensive was the water damage. Did you repair the damage to the walls and ceiling?

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166432#Comment_122166432

It sounds like you've had issues with your own tenants and projecting that on to me. My description of events were not caused by me. Of course you know this, since the rest of my posts describe how I've maintained the property. Instead, you've double downed. Any more communication will just escalate the situation. So, I guess we'll to agree to disagree.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166591#Comment_122166591

There's a water mark on the ceiling. No plaster damage or mould. The water was left slowly dripping for maybe a few hours.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166594#Comment_122166594

I'm not projecting anything OP, I just responded to a different poster who commented on my post above. I'm not and never was a landlord but I rented in the 80's for long enough and took very good care of any property I rented. Your post came across to me as if you let the house go into disrepair and didn't want the landlord visiting even though they sound like a very good landlord and didn't even raise the rent in 12 years. So, lets agree to disagree.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166432#Comment_122166432

And people thought your earlier post was sarcasm, not so it would appear.

LocoJoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166619#Comment_122166619

I'm happy to do that.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166619#Comment_122166619

He replaced a water cylinder himself, and got the boiler serviced every year, power washed the outside of the house, none of which are his responsibility. His landlord hasn't had one minute of trouble from him. He sounds like a model tenant, and the landlord doesn't appear too interested seeing as he has never once inspected the place!

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122166655#Comment_122166655

I'm fairly sure the lack of rent increases over 12 years well paid for that. As I said to the OP I agreed to disagree. So if people want to keep putting their oars in work away but I'm out.