House in a bad state.

2Mad2BeMad · 07-03-2019 11:31pm #1

My cousin got keys today to a new house she's renting.
She viewed the house a few weeks ago and said she was interested but the place needed a lot of work done.

She went into the house today but it's in a bad state.
There's mould in places a dust and cobwebs all built up. Oven is destroyed from old greese all built up.
There's a leak in the ceiling. There was dust and stains all over the wall and couchs.
Fridge and freezer full of old food and completely full of ice.
Microwave full of green stuff looks like mould.
Rubbish all over the back yard and rubbish in presses.
A few presses are broken as well
Shower doesn't work there's very little power in it
Bath tub is not sealed properly.
It looks as if the place hasn't been cleaned in months.
According to my cousin she would be the first tenant as the landlord is only new to the scene.
He's done this through an agency.
The agent promised my cousin the place will be professionally cleaned with a new oven installed and fridge and freezer and a new microwave plus a fresh paint and all little problems would be fixed.
None of this was done and my cousin is paying 2k a month for this. She had to give 6k upfront before receiving the keys.
She only got the keys today the lease starts from today

She feels conned. Is there any comeback can she cancel out of the agreement based on this. It would take weeks to sort this out she would rather look for somewhere else. She has tonnes of photos.

Its as if the landlord bought a new house packed his bags and invested nothing into the property hoping the tenants would fix everything and left all his rubbish behind him.

I must also mention she's gone through HAP with this but 6k upfront was her own money. Deposit and 2 months upfront

Cheers.

Fol20 · 07-03-2019 11:46pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

My cousin got keys today to a new house she's renting.
She viewed the house a few weeks ago and said she was interested but the place needed a lot of work done.

She went into the house today but it's in a bad state.
There's mould in places a dust and cobwebs all built up. Oven is destroyed from old greese all built up.
There's a leak in the ceiling. There was dust and stains all over the wall and couchs.
Fridge and freezer full of old food and completely full of ice.
Microwave full of green stuff looks like mould.
Rubbish all over the back yard and rubbish in presses.
A few presses are broken as well
Shower doesn't work there's very little power in it
Bath tub is not sealed properly.
It looks as if the place hasn't been cleaned in months.
According to my cousin she would be the first tenant as the landlord is only new to the scene.
He's done this through an agency.
The agent promised my cousin the place will be professionally cleaned with a new oven installed and fridge and freezer and a new microwave plus a fresh paint and all little problems would be fixed.
None of this was done and my cousin is paying 2k a month for this. She had to give 6k upfront before receiving the keys.
She only got the keys today the lease starts from today

She feels conned. Is there any comeback can she cancel out of the agreement based on this. It would take weeks to sort this out she would rather look for somewhere else. She has tonnes of photos.

Its as if the landlord bought a new house packed his bags and invested nothing into the property hoping the tenants would fix everything and left all his rubbish behind him.

I must also mention she's gone through HAP with this but 6k upfront was her own money. Deposit and 2 months upfront

Cheers.

Did she get any of the propose works in writing?

There is a lot of problems there to go through. Many could be rectified through cleaning the place.
I dont know the condition of the place myself so cant comment however from own experience as a ll, i have had tenants that were clean freaks and were very picky so would sometimes dent their request for cleaning. Again not saying that here as indont know the property, just a general comment.

Your best bet is to call the agency asap to see what they say. To cover yourself in case you are going to RTB also email them with pictures of said issues tomorrow also just to cover yourself. Make sure the photos you take are date stamped also. Depending on condition i do know some ll and agencies that keep deposits due to condition of the property even though it was like that when they moved in.

2Mad2BeMad · 07-03-2019 11:52pm

Fol20 wrote: »

Did she get any of the propose works in writing?

There is a lot of problems there to go through. Many could be rectified through cleaning the place.
I dont know the condition of the place myself so cant comment however from own experience as a ll, i have had tenants that were clean freaks and were very picky so would sometimes dent their request for cleaning. Again not saying that here as indont know the property, just a general comment.

Your best bet is to call the agency asap to see what they say. To cover yourself in case you are going to RTB also email them with pictures of said issues tomorrow also just to cover yourself. Make sure the photos you take are date stamped also. Depending on condition i do know some ll and agencies that keep deposits due to condition of the property even though it was like that when they moved in.

Was promised according to her not in writing.
But the place is unhabitable surely there is a standard expected.

I've seen the house it's in an awful state I live close by it.
I wouldn't let it to a dog to be honest.

Just some of the many photos below

She doesn't want to live there anymore it's in to much of a state and knows the agent will drag there feet about it.
She just wants a way out.

JJJackal · 07-03-2019 11:57pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Was promised according to her not in writing.
But the place is unhabitable surely there is a standard expected.

I've seen the house it's in an awful state I live close by it.
I wouldn't let it to a dog to be honest.

Just some of the many photos below

She doesn't want to live there anymore it's in to much of a state and knows the agent will drag there feet about it.
She just wants a way out.

Needs a good cleaning alright

turbot · 08-03-2019 12:05am

Be careful of mould - especially if its in the structure / walls / ceilings from water damage. Prolonged exposure to it can make you very sick - lethargy, brain fog and much worse. Some kinds of mould emit tiny particles that end in in the air and all dust - called mycotoxins - that are biotoxins and neurotoxins.

turbot · 08-03-2019 12:07am

Those photos look like its messy - but not neccessarily anything more than a weekends worth of cleaning?
Is it damp etc?

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 12:07am

JJJackal wrote: »

Needs a good cleaning alright

That's 5 pictures out of 88 I have received

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 12:11am

turbot wrote: »

Those photos look like its messy - but not neccessarily anything more than a weekends worth of cleaning?
Is it damp etc?

Mould.
Stained walls
Broken presses
Rubbish everywhere
Broken shower

Giving 2k a month it's unacceptable
Or am I wrong in thinking handing 2k a month you should be expected to clean the place completely and fix every issue on getting the keys.
It needs a fresh paint and professional cleaners brought in. As well as mould removed assuming it's not all over the walls she has a 1 yr old baby she can't move into this place the way it is.

fritzelly · 08-03-2019 12:18am

That is fair manky alright - but TBH I wouldn't have handed over a penny until I had seen it had been cleaned and everything sorted.
Did the LL just buy the house and think he was gonna retire on it.
Three months rent up front!?!? Definitely would have wanted a second viewing.

Heckler · 08-03-2019 12:22am

2k a month for what you've shown is a joke. I wouldn't let a 1 year old near the place till professional cleaners have been in, the appliances replaced and most importantly the mould situation sorted out. How these cowboys get away with it I don't know. I've rented apartments/houses over the years. She should find another agency. Any place I rented was spotless on arrival and when I left the agency rep came around and deducted from deposit work that needed to be done. And I'm talking small pototoes. Scuffed skirting boards, a few marks on a wall, a crack in a mirror etc.

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 12:29am

fritzelly wrote: »

That is fair manky alright - but TBH I wouldn't have handed over a penny until I had seen it had been cleaned and everything sorted.
Did the LL just buy the house and think he was gonna retire on it.
Three months rent up front!?!? Definitely would have wanted a second viewing.

I know she's not the brightest person alive but I feel really bad for her it's a lot of money.
She just wants a way out now. It's only day1 she's still living at home she won't go near the place.
I think the ll was changing his arm hoping she would do it all. She should of went for a 2nd viewing

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 12:31am

Heckler wrote: »

2k a month for what you've shown is a joke. I wouldn't let a 1 year old near the place till professional cleaners have been in, the appliances replaced and most importantly the mould situation sorted out. How these cowboys get away with it I don't know. I've rented apartments/houses over the years. She should find another agency. Any place I rented was spotless on arrival and when I left the agency rep came around and deducted from deposit work that needed to be done. And I'm talking small pototoes. Scuffed skirting boards, a few marks on a wall, a crack in a mirror etc.

She just wants to end the tenancy even though it only started.
It will be weeks and that's if the ll actually does decide to do it.
Not sure if he has to.

Heckler · 08-03-2019 12:36am

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

She just wants to end the tenancy even though it only started.
It will be weeks and that's if the ll actually does decide to do it.
Not sure if he has to.

Its been a while since I rented. Is there not an opt out clause if you want to leave within 6 months ? I could be totally wrong here.

Maybe bad advice but tell her walk away. Take a load more pictures. Unlikely the LL will persue her. Will just move onto the next person willing to rent.

And 6k up front ? What ? For a rental ?

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 12:39am

Heckler wrote: »

Its been a while since I rented. Is there not an opt out clause if you want to leave within 6 months ? I could be totally wrong here.

Maybe bad advice but tell her walk away. Take a load more pictures. Unlikely the LL will persue her. Will just move onto the next person willing to rent.

And 6k up front ? What ? For a rental ?

Hard to walk away without getting the money back.
Plus she's on hap as well so it complicates things. Il tell her to ring citizens advice tomorrow.

Heckler · 08-03-2019 12:57am

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Hard to walk away without getting the money back.
Plus she's on hap as well so it complicates things. Il tell her to ring citizens advice tomorrow.

Do. Hope it all works out for the best. Keep us updated. Could be very valuable advice for others.

Samuel T. Cogley · 08-03-2019 8:56am

Set out in writing what you want done. When the LL doesn't do it open a case with the RTB. There's no way someone renting a place in that state is going to return 3 months deposit.

Fol20 · 08-03-2019 9:39am

I would not blame her for whats going on here. Some ll and agencies promise the world and do not deliver. She cant exactly not hand over the deposit in advance as this is a requirement to show you mean business. It was done in good faith and now the agency hasnt held up their end of the deal.

Once thing, i would say is all the pics so far are not as bad as people make it out to be. Yes its dirty particularly the oven however a professional clean will sort out most of that. Oven will never be perfect based on current condition but would be usable again. TBH i would be taking the professional clean out of the previous tenants deposit as they left a lot behind.

The pics you have taken so far are not date stamped. Just so she can protect herself. I would set it so the date and time are built into the pic or have a newspaper or something to highlight the date. I know it sounds small but you will need to protect yourself.

Browney7 · 08-03-2019 10:34am

Fol20 wrote: »

I would not blame her for whats going on here. Some ll and agencies promise the world and do not deliver. She cant exactly not hand over the deposit in advance as this is a requirement to show you mean business. It was done in good faith and now the agency hasnt held up their end of the deal.

Once thing, i would say is all the pics so far are not as bad as people make it out to be. Yes its dirty particularly the oven however a professional clean will sort out most of that. Oven will never be perfect based on current condition but would be usable again. TBH i would be taking the professional clean out of the previous tenants deposit as they left a lot behind.

The pics you have taken so far are not date stamped. Just so she can protect herself. I would set it so the date and time are built into the pic or have a newspaper or something to highlight the date. I know it sounds small but you will need to protect yourself.

This.

A landlord who would let out a house in this condition will have no qualms at eyeing up a slice of that nice 4g deposit at cessation of the tenancy so the tenant needs to prep for that.

2gs a month to move into filth and dirt.

Do houses for HAP not to need to be palatial as per posts on here and so this house will likely fail a HAP inspection?

tvjunki · 08-03-2019 10:44am

Contact the agency straight away and list the complaints. I don't understand why the agency did not do a check with the new tenant and list the issues on the lease. If they have signed the lease before checking the property then they have accepted it as is. Not a good agency if they did not check the property.

On a second note ....How could someone afford to pay so many months upfront and get Hap?

JJJackal · 08-03-2019 10:44am

Browney7 wrote: »

This.

A landlord who would let out a house in this condition will have no qualms at eyeing up a slice of that nice 4g deposit at cessation of the tenancy so the tenant needs to prep for that.

2gs a month to move into filth and dirt.

Do houses for HAP not to need to be palatial as per posts on here and so this house will likely fail a HAP inspection?

Cant you ask for a HAP inspection?

tvjunki · 08-03-2019 10:46am

Browney7 wrote: »

This.

A landlord who would let out a house in this condition will have no qualms at eyeing up a slice of that nice 4g deposit at cessation of the tenancy so the tenant needs to prep for that.

2gs a month to move into filth and dirt.

Do houses for HAP not to need to be palatial as per posts on here and so this house will likely fail a HAP inspection?

Tenant has to find a property and then apply for Hap for that property. It may take up to 6months before an inspection takes place.

Fol20 · 08-03-2019 11:22am

tvjunki wrote: »

Tenant has to find a property and then apply for Hap for that property. It may take up to 6months before an inspection takes place.

It can be much longer than that. I have a tenant who is over 2 years without an inspection. I dread the time it will come as although its only being built in past 10years. HAP are quite fussy and if the work meets min standards but not HAP standards, it will be up to the tenant to fight for his HAP payment as i wont pay for unnecessary work.

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 11:26am

Just to answer the last couple of posts without quoting.

That's om my 5 pics there's another 83 just like it for all over the house.
Doesn't include photos and videos of broken stuff.
Mould is a bigger issue as well
Plus the water tank looks like it's leaking looking at the pic below.

She's on HAP you can earn a certain amount and be on HAP. She also has savings which a good chunk was taken out on this deposit.

She's devastated. She's going to a solicitor the agency is dragging there feet saying there's nothing they can do she's already signed the agreement

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 11:30am

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Just to answer the last couple of posts without quoting.

That's om my 5 pics there's another 83 just like it for all over the house.
Doesn't include photos and videos of broken stuff.
Mould is a bigger issue as well
Plus the water tank looks like it's leaking looking at the pic below.

She's on HAP you can earn a certain amount and be on HAP. She also has savings which a good chunk was taken out on this deposit.

She's devastated. She's going to a solicitor the agency is dragging there feet saying there's nothing they can do she's already signed the agreement

Pic

I attached a pic to this and can't see an attachment I'm on me phone so if anyone can confirm it's there. It's a pic of the bed room ceiling with a water leak from the water tank on the ceiling

L1011 · 08-03-2019 11:38am

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

the agency is dragging there feet saying there's nothing they can do she's already signed the agreement

A signed agreement does not override basic standards that are legally required. The kitchen equipment as described is not in a usable state and hence effectively not there for starters.

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 11:41am

Fol20 wrote: »

I would not blame her for whats going on here. Some ll and agencies promise the world and do not deliver. She cant exactly not hand over the deposit in advance as this is a requirement to show you mean business. It was done in good faith and now the agency hasnt held up their end of the deal.

Once thing, i would say is all the pics so far are not as bad as people make it out to be. Yes its dirty particularly the oven however a professional clean will sort out most of that. Oven will never be perfect based on current condition but would be usable again. TBH i would be taking the professional clean out of the previous tenants deposit as they left a lot behind.

The pics you have taken so far are not date stamped. Just so she can protect herself. I would set it so the date and time are built into the pic or have a newspaper or something to highlight the date. I know it sounds small but you will need to protect yourself.

There was no previous tenant this is the ll forst time renting out a place.
It's all his old stuff. Couches microwave oven blinds mattress
All old badly worn and disgustingly filthy. I'm not talking dust and abit of dirt this is way beyond that

Just a few more pics below these are just the ones that she first took.
This is without the broken stuff

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 11:42am

Water tank pic

TomSweeney · 08-03-2019 12:04pm

So does the HAP pay the entire 2k a month ?

Samuel T. Cogley · 08-03-2019 1:04pm

TomSweeney wrote: »

So does the HAP pay the entire 2k a month ?

Why does it matter?

JJJackal · 08-03-2019 1:28pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Just to answer the last couple of posts without quoting.

That's om my 5 pics there's another 83 just like it for all over the house.
Doesn't include photos and videos of broken stuff.
Mould is a bigger issue as well
Plus the water tank looks like it's leaking looking at the pic below.

She's on HAP you can earn a certain amount and be on HAP. She also has savings which a good chunk was taken out on this deposit.

She's devastated. She's going to a solicitor the agency is dragging there feet saying there's nothing they can do she's already signed the agreement

I suspect the agency is wrong. House has to be in a habitable condition.

I would be afraid to clean that house without a mask on! riddled with fungus, mould, bacteria and viruses

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 1:31pm

TomSweeney wrote: »

So does the HAP pay the entire 2k a month ?

No they pay 1250 a month towards rent but they don't pay deposit or any money up front. So she had to pay the 6k up front but she would or should get back 2250 off the landlord after 2 months because he would of received 2 months upfront already as well as been paid the HAP for them 2 months.

JJJackal · 08-03-2019 1:33pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

No they pay 1250 a month towards rent but they don't pay deposit or any money up front. So she had to pay the 6k up front but she would or should get back 2250 off the landlord after 2 months because he would of received 2 months upfront already as well as been paid the HAP for them 2 months.

There is a solid case to be made that in hindsight (with 20/20 vision) she should not have agreed to move in in the first place. There is a couple of thousand euros of work required to bring that property up to standard.

....... · 08-03-2019 1:44pm

How was the 6k paid?

Bank Transfer? Cheque?

I would see about reversing this transaction with whatever financial institution was involved.

However, as long as she does not move in, they have the upper hand. But if she moves in, she has the upper hand. It takes a long time to get someone out in this country.

Fol20 · 08-03-2019 7:10pm

It wouldnt 1000”s at all. Dublin prices might be different, however it would be about 350-400 for 2 people to clean the place for 8 hours. This would include industrial cleaning material to do fridge,microwave oven etc. Not sure if you can do much for couch, they can lightly clean it however you didnt mention they agreed to replace it so your stuck with that. Leak on ceiling can be repainted for circa 100e pending no more leaks, plumber can be pricey depending on extent of leak. Rubbish can be removed for 100.

What did the ea say when you made contact with them.

I would also not recommend putting pics online in case you need to go to rtb with this.anything that can self identify you toward the agency etc will not help your case.

2Mad2BeMad · 08-03-2019 8:42pm

Fol20 wrote: »

It wouldnt 1000”s at all. Dublin prices might be different, however it would be about 350-400 for 2 people to clean the place for 8 hours. This would include industrial cleaning material to do fridge,microwave oven etc. Not sure if you can do much for couch, they can lightly clean it however you didnt mention they agreed to replace it so your stuck with that. Leak on ceiling can be repainted for circa 100e pending no more leaks, plumber can be pricey depending on extent of leak. Rubbish can be removed for 100.

What did the ea say when you made contact with them.

I would also not recommend putting pics online in case you need to go to rtb with this.anything that can self identify you toward the agency etc will not help your case.

Mould as well. Couches we agreed to be removed. Drawers all of them in the kitchen are broken beyond repair.

Issue is currently been sorted but won't be fully sorted until Monday i think she's agreeing to be evicted at a cost of 1 months rent with the rest refunded to her. Appaeently the agent had no idea it was that bad....

Browney7 · 08-03-2019 8:48pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Mould as well. Couches we agreed to be removed. Drawers all of them in the kitchen are broken beyond repair.

Issue is currently been sorted but won't be fully sorted until Monday i think she's agreeing to be evicted at a cost of 1 months rent with the rest refunded to her. Appaeently the agent had no idea it was that bad....

She should be insisting on getting the whole lot back!

fritzelly · 08-03-2019 9:01pm

Browney7 wrote: »

She should be insisting on getting the whole lot back!

Absolutely, why should he be 2 grand better off. Is he gonna use to do the place up.
Wouldn't be letting him off, get all the money back

Fol20 · 08-03-2019 11:06pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Mould as well. Couches we agreed to be removed. Drawers all of them in the kitchen are broken beyond repair.

Issue is currently been sorted but won't be fully sorted until Monday i think she's agreeing to be evicted at a cost of 1 months rent with the rest refunded to her. Appaeently the agent had no idea it was that bad....

I would not accept that. Wait for them to give as much money back as possible. Do not sign any forms in case you are accepting liability of 1months rent. Once you get back 4k and you see it in your bank account. Then raise a dispute with rtb. If the place is in that type of condition that you say its in, and the agency agrees(try and get this in writing) then you should be entitled to everything back. If you start to raise the dispute like this with them now. They may retain more than one months rent so be careful.

listermint · 08-03-2019 11:13pm

Opening post. I was like ... Ovens dirty just clean it. And there's no mould there just a greasy dirty wall

However the floor behind that bed . That is mould. That is serious and no one should sleep in that room for any length of time before that's sorted.

Mould of that scale is a silent Illness causer and has serious respiratory consequences that many people don't understand.

the_syco · 09-03-2019 12:40am

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

According to my cousin she would be the first tenant as the landlord is only new to the scene.

From looking at the pictures, I'd say the landlord has rented out the house without doing much work, if anything at all.

L1011 · 09-03-2019 3:06am

Not a hope should 2k be gifted to the landlord / agent (they will be taking fees all along the way) for a few days in that kip

mad m · 09-03-2019 6:28pm

There is standards for rented accommodation

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting_a_home/repairs_maintenance_and_minimum_physical_standards.html

Although the oven and grease is manky and should of been cleaned prior to moving in. Is there smoke, carbon alarms, fire blanket in kitchen?

2Mad2BeMad · 11-03-2019 11:53am

*UPDATE

so she got off the phone. The agent said she was very sorry about the place and didnt relise how bad it was. The agent offered to clean the house from top to bottom that my cousin won't recognise it.
My cousin stuck to her guns and refused politely and said she just wants out.
The agent asked my cousin to drop the keys into her this afternoon and she will sort it for her in a few days and apologised again.

This is were it's abit tricky I told my cousin under no circumstances should she hand the keys over until officially been out of the agreement. She hasn't called the agent back to tell her this but am I right in thinking this way?

JJJackal · 11-03-2019 11:58am

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

*UPDATE

so she got off the phone. The agent said she was very sorry about the place and didnt relise how bad it was. The agent offered to clean the house from top to bottom that my cousin won't recognise it.
My cousin stuck to her guns and refused politely and said she just wants out.
The agent asked my cousin to drop the keys into her this afternoon and she will sort it for her in a few days and apologised again.

This is were it's abit tricky I told my cousin under no circumstances should she hand the keys over until officially been out of the agreement. She hasn't called the agent back to tell her this but am I right in thinking this way?

The agent seems reasonable?

the_syco · 11-03-2019 12:09pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

This is were it's abit tricky I told my cousin under no circumstances should she hand the keys over until officially been out of the agreement. She hasn't called the agent back to tell her this but am I right in thinking this way?

Out, and minus all the money?

JJJackal · 11-03-2019 12:10pm

the_syco wrote: »

Out, and minus all the money?

She is getting the money back I presume?

....... · 11-03-2019 12:11pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

*UPDATE

...

What about the money?

colm_mcm · 11-03-2019 12:11pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

*UPDATE

so she got off the phone. The agent said she was very sorry about the place and didnt relise how bad it was. The agent offered to clean the house from top to bottom that my cousin won't recognise it.
My cousin stuck to her guns and refused politely and said she just wants out.
The agent asked my cousin to drop the keys into her this afternoon and she will sort it for her in a few days and apologised again.

This is were it's abit tricky I told my cousin under no circumstances should she hand the keys over until officially been out of the agreement. She hasn't called the agent back to tell her this but am I right in thinking this way?

No email trail or any confirmation of where she stands money wise?

2Mad2BeMad · 11-03-2019 12:24pm

Nothing mentioned money wise. Reason I told her not to hand over any keys.
I might have to go see the agent with her later she doesn't like confrontation and doesn't handle it well.
Plus I don't understand how the agreement can just end with her handing over the keys surely signatures must be involved somewhere from her

2Mad2BeMad · 11-03-2019 12:29pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

No email trail or any confirmation of where she stands money wise?

Funny enough they never reply back by emails even before she agreed to take the house. All over phone or in person.

Seth Brundle · 11-03-2019 12:53pm

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Funny enough they never reply back by emails even before she agreed to take the house. All over phone or in person.

If thats the case then confirm the conversation pojnts back in an email!

House in a bad state.

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