Nosy neighbors and our broadband connection

Yes, but the landlord is "allowed" to say that you caused damage and sue you for the shortfall, such as deep cleaning costs if not worse...

from what I can gather, they haven't done anything wrong...they have not drilled any holes etc..and I am sure the place would be gleaming before they left.  I have done this plenty of times and it hasn't been a issue.  To be honest...once your gone..your gone.  They dont need to know your next address and if they ask you tell them to mind their own business.  If they are two americans ( I am assuming here ) then they are going to be very hard to trace.

You will probably be asked to move out in April then if you paid 6 months in advance...

Get a digital camera and photographs of the entire flat before you leave.  If cleaning is in the contract then you phone and find quotes, so that they don't try to overcharge you for the bill.

I would guess that you have paid 6 months as deposit.  Did this go into a deposit protection scheme?

Have they actually said how they claim you have broken the terms of the lease?

I would say that you now definitely need to take legal advice.


Vicky

I would guess that you have paid 6 months as deposit.  Did this go into a deposit protection scheme?

We paid 6 months upfront and the security deposit of 6 weeks rent.  The deposit is in a protection scheme and since it's over £2,000, we really don't want to lose it.

Have they actually said how they claim you have broken the terms of the lease?

I don't have the contract in front of me, so I'm paraphrasing here, but we have a paragraph on not creating a nuisance which may disturb the neighbors.  The client manager doesn't say exactly what we've done, only that we're in breach of that specific paragraph and further action might be taken.

I would say that you now definitely need to take legal advice.

Thank you -- and everybody else who's commented on this thread! -- for the advice to take photos.  You've all been a great help in limiting the amount of freak-out we've had over this situation.

I don't have the contract in front of me, so I'm paraphrasing here, but we have a paragraph on not creating a nuisance which may disturb the neighbors.  The client manager doesn't say exactly what we've done, only that we're in breach of that specific paragraph and further action might be taken.

If this is the case, it will be interesting to see how they go about proving this. It will be their word against yours. Even if they were creepy enough to audio record banging sounds, they still can't prove you're the ones making the noise.

Get a digital camera and photographs of the entire flat before you leave.  If cleaning is in the contract then you phone and find quotes, so that they don't try to overcharge you for the bill.

I have seen £200 - £300 quoted for a 2 bedroom flat, including carpets & curtains.

The deposit protection scheme is there for a reason.  They can make reasonable deductions from this but if you think that they are charging unfairly, you have redress.

I should have said that when you take photos make sure that they are date stamped and also e-mail them for further evidence of the date.

The worry you have is not the keeping of the deposit, but the issue of them perhaps suggesting that, because you have 'breached the contract', that you have forced them to terminate this and that somehow this makes to liable for the remaining rent (ie six months).  Naturally, this is a crock, but this is why I think you should see a solicitor.

The problem is that even if they might want to evict you, in the current climate they probably can't afford to risk having the place empty.  And this is something you need to remember.  It's a renter's market.  They need you more than you need them. 

Vicky

The problem is that even if they might want to evict you, in the current climate they probably can't afford to risk having the place empty.  And this is something you need to remember.  It's a renter's market.  They need you more than you need them. 

Vicky

That's what I was wondering too: why are the landlords kicking up a fuss in this market?

Grumpy, you said you lived in Wimbledon, right? I do too, and my estate agent told me that the average time to fill apartments has gone up almost a week since last year so I can't understand what they're thinking that they'd risk a month or even two months' vacancy.

I figured I'd type up what the letter says now that I'm back home:

I would like to bring to your attention clause 3.13 below which states that you will not cause a disturbance to neighbouring properties.  I have received a complaint regarding noise and I would like to ask that you are considerate towards other residents.

(3.13)    Not to do or permit or suffer to be done in or on the Property any act of thing which may be a nuisance damage or annoyance to the Landlord or to the occupiers of the neighbouring premises, or which may void any insurance of the property or cause the premiums to increase.

As you can see by causing a disturbance you are in breach of the above clause.  You have signed a tenancy agreement and have agreed to adhere to all of the clauses included in the agreement.

If further complaints are received regarding the level of noise, further action will be taken.

Grumpy, you said you lived in Wimbledon, right?

Yes, we live in Wimbledon, but I don't think this letter is sent on the initiative of the landlord as it says on the bottom that it's CCed to the landlord.  This the client manager got on quick enough, but she couldn't give a toss about the fact that we didn't have the right keys for the balcony doors or that the kitchen cupboards smell of mold.

It's just a warning letter, they are not actually throwing you out.

How did you respond?


Vicky

It's just a warning letter, they are not actually throwing you out.

Yes, I know.  My worry is that our neighbor will make up something else about which to complain and dulcineah1 is convinced that she's been in our apartment, moving D's dongle so it isn't visible from the outside.  Personally, I think she might be too busy barbecuing with the downstairs neighbors -- in this weather, that's quite a feat.

How did you respond?

Well, I got the letter after closing time on Saturday, so I haven't responded yet.  D's written a letter, but hasn't shown it to me.

I think your main concern now is the suspicion that they are going in the flat.  This is something that you need to get addressed immediately, as you have a right to privacy.


Vicky

I think your main concern now is the suspicion that they are going in the flat.  This is something that you need to get addressed immediately, as you have a right to privacy.

It's nothing that can be proved, but my dongle is normally blue-tacked up to the window (I get better reception that way) but was on the floor and under the table today.  I can't see how it could have gotten there by itself, and the way the blue-tack was stuck to it suggested that someone had pulled it off.

It's nothing that can be proved, but my dongle is normally blue-tacked up to the window (I get better reception that way) but was on the floor and under the table today.  I can't see how it could have gotten there by itself, and the way the blue-tack was stuck to it suggested that someone had pulled it off.

Next time you suspect someone has been in your house, call the police immediately.  Even if they have a key or not, its still entering without your permission.  Perhaps a policeman knocking on their door asking if "they have seen or know anything" might frighten them to stop.

Next time you suspect someone has been in your house, call the police immediately.  Even if they have a key or not, its still entering without your permission.  Perhaps a policeman knocking on their door asking if "they have seen or know anything" might frighten them to stop.

If you really want to go McGiver  on them you can sprinkle the doorway with powdered sugar. My friend caught an old tenant breaking into her house like this when she found footprints of powder around the apnt.

If you really want to go McGiver  on them you can sprinkle the doorway with powdered sugar. My friend caught an old tenant breaking into her house like this when she found footprints of powder around the apnt.

You don't even need to do that anymore. Buy a webcam, or use a built-in one. Almost all of them now come with motion detection software included. Not only will you know, there'll be photographic proof.