Difficult Landlord
Nov 3rd 2011, 2:17 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 12
Difficult Landlord
This can hardly be a unique problem but my search of the forum has come up blank...
Our apartment is rented in my wife's name and she signed up for a third year of tenancy in July and gave the landlord 2 cheques - one postdated. In August, her 'ongoing' contract was terminated by her employer. As the termination package was generous we chose not to dispute her dismissal.
We immediately informed the landlord by email that we would be leaving Dubai and would be unable to see out our contract. He acknowledged this by email and said he would be in touch regarding 'formalities'.
A few days ago we set the date for our departure (early December) and informed the landlord that this would give him around four weeks to find a replacement tenant. (We had already offered to allow access to agents/prospective tenants at any time.)
His response was that we would be required to pay two months' rent for January/February in order for him to 'carry out maintenance' (!) and upon payment of this amount he would return our second cheque. There was no mention of our security deposit.
Can this be legal? Anyone have advice or comments? Thanks in anticipation.
Our apartment is rented in my wife's name and she signed up for a third year of tenancy in July and gave the landlord 2 cheques - one postdated. In August, her 'ongoing' contract was terminated by her employer. As the termination package was generous we chose not to dispute her dismissal.
We immediately informed the landlord by email that we would be leaving Dubai and would be unable to see out our contract. He acknowledged this by email and said he would be in touch regarding 'formalities'.
A few days ago we set the date for our departure (early December) and informed the landlord that this would give him around four weeks to find a replacement tenant. (We had already offered to allow access to agents/prospective tenants at any time.)
His response was that we would be required to pay two months' rent for January/February in order for him to 'carry out maintenance' (!) and upon payment of this amount he would return our second cheque. There was no mention of our security deposit.
Can this be legal? Anyone have advice or comments? Thanks in anticipation.
Nov 3rd 2011, 2:24 pm
#2
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Difficult Landlord
It all depends on the wording in your contract. Most require a two month notice period, or rent in lieu, for a tenancy to be broken.
The deposit is usually returnable after yo have vacated, once they have checked the condition of the property. Bear in mind you are not liable for it to be repainted unless you have caused damage and you are permitted a certain of wear and tear.
The deposit is usually returnable after yo have vacated, once they have checked the condition of the property. Bear in mind you are not liable for it to be repainted unless you have caused damage and you are permitted a certain of wear and tear.
Nov 3rd 2011, 4:06 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Difficult Landlord
yep unless you have a clause in contract you are still liable.
Nov 3rd 2011, 6:43 pm
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 12
Re: Difficult Landlord
I agree that what's in the contract will apply. We are out of the country at the moment so can't revisit that as we don't have the documentation with us.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Nov 3rd 2011, 6:46 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 79
Re: Difficult Landlord
It sounds like he's being very reasonable, unless your contract is unusually favourable to the tenant. I wouldn't have expected to see anything of the year's rent back.
Nov 4th 2011, 10:15 am
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Difficult Landlord
I agree that what's in the contract will apply. We are out of the country at the moment so can't revisit that as we don't have the documentation with us.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Nov 4th 2011, 7:23 pm
#8
why ayeeeee man!
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Disco Gardens...
Posts: 11,370
Re: Difficult Landlord
I agree that what's in the contract will apply. We are out of the country at the moment so can't revisit that as we don't have the documentation with us.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Nov 5th 2011, 12:41 pm
#10
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Difficult Landlord
I agree that what's in the contract will apply. We are out of the country at the moment so can't revisit that as we don't have the documentation with us.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Regardless, I can't see the landlord's 'offer' as other than grasping, unreasonable and unfair since we have been good tenants who have spent thousands on keeping his investment up to scratch e.g. electrical work, replacing faulty locks, replacing water heaters, mending faulty appliances, plumbing leaks etc.
Is it any wonder that people do a runner in such circumstances? I'll have to weigh up whether to bother coming back to sort it out or instead create significant inconvenience to the parasite.
I'd better stop whingeing now or readers will think I really am an English expat.
Er, you agreed to the terms of the contract by signing them...
Nov 5th 2011, 2:08 pm
#11
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: Difficult Landlord
It still amazes me that people don't understand that contractual terms apply even though they may not always be in their favour. And also paying 2 months notice on a rented villa/flat isn't bad to be honest. Many years ago in Norway I had to pay 3 months rent as deposit and the lease had a 3 months notice period to terminate.
