Help please, new tenants have just moved in ..

AnonoBoy

They can ask all they want but you're under no obligation to give in.

The shower was there when they saw the place, you didn't tell them it was a power shower so definitely don't feel obliged to get one for them now.

They're just chancing their arm.

Pawwed Rig

If you're worried about upsetting them just tell them you can't afford it. There is no obligation for you as everyone has said already.

A defrost function? I have one of those. We call it leaving the item on the counter until the frozeness magically disappears.

Most importantly please follow valleyoftheunos advice in the post below.

the_syco

This early into the lease, I'd view it as a test, tbh, to see what they can get away with. Next it could be the TV, the mattresses, etc. You cave in this early, and it'll be a costly lesson for you!

the world wonders

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

A defrost function? I have one of those. We call it leaving the item on the counter until the frozeness magically disappears.

Seriously don't do this, that's how food poisoning happens. Defrost stuff in the fridge.

Grolschevik

the world wonders wrote: »

Seriously don't do this, that's how food poisoning happens. Defrost stuff in the fridge.

Jaysus, I must be dead now, so!

by the seaside

Remove the freezer. Then they won't need the defrost function.

murphaph

howamidifferent wrote: »

Next thing then will be the shower will "go" faulty... :pac:

...and if it does he just replaces the existing hose and shower head for 20 quid.

These people saw and agreed to take the place. Replace nothing.

dee_mc

I would tell them politely that they should buy their own microwave if they're not happy with the one in the house; I've bought a Tesco value microwave in the past which had a defrost setting and it cost 35 or 40 euro, not a massive outlay for them if it's such an essential in their minds, really feel these tenants are chancing their arm!
As for the power shower issue, maybe if they are likely to be long term tenants you might consider installing one, I would say to them that if they are still living there in 6 months or a year's time, and are committing to stay on for a further 6 months or a year, that you would then agree to install a power shower: the only reason I suggest this is that as a tenant I myself would be more inclined to rent a place with a decent shower, although it'd never occur to me to put pressure on the landlord to install one! Having said that, you're under no obligation to install one just because their standards have suddenly changed since they viewed the place!
Good luck, they sound like fun!

whiteandlight

I'm not supporting the tenants in any way here as the shower should have been raised at time of rental but if the OP is talking about a shower from the old plastic hose that you stick over the taps I would argue that is extremely old fashioned and I would definitely consider upgrading even to a tap with a switch to the shower.

Having said that I just wouldn't have rented the house

athtrasna

Ray Palmer wrote: »

The shower is a major expense and is just plain ridiculous. Such showers are really not good for renting as they always get broken. Every single one I have had in a rented places is now gone for that very reason. People seem to love to turn the knobs the wrong way for some reason.

This!! The current shower will cost a few euro to replace. Any break in a power shower will involve a plumber/electrician and could leave them without a functioning shower for a day or more. You would be crazy to consider installing a power shower IMO

whiteandlight

athtrasna wrote: »

This!! The current shower will cost a few euro to replace. Any break in a power shower will involve a plumber/electrician and could leave them without a functioning shower for a day or more. You would be crazy to consider installing a power shower IMO

I have rented for 8 years in various properties all with electric showers. There's had never been a breakdown in that time. The only maintenance needed was to stick a pin in the head and soak it every now to avoid build up

Duckjob

Agree with the general consensus. Having an issue with no power shower is fair enough, but the time for them to raise the issue is at the viewing stage, and they could try to negotiate on the rent or come to some other arrangement. Then, you either reach agreement or you don't - and everyones happy.

Need to nip this in the bud here because they sound very high-maintenance and if you accede to them on this you'll no doubt open the floodgates to all sorts of ridiculous demands.

dee_mc wrote: »

I've bought a Tesco value microwave in the past which had a defrost setting and it cost 35 or 40 euro, not a massive outlay for them

I wouldn't touch Tesco microwaves with a bargepole - my mum bought one and it broke in less than 2 mths - brought it back and got a reaplacement and the replacement went kaput in another 2 mths ! Worthless rubbish.

dee_mc

Duckjob wrote: »

Agree with the general consensus. Having an issue with no power shower is fair enough, but the time for them to raise the issue is at the viewing stage, and they could try to negotiate on the rent or come to some other arrangement. Then, you either reach agreement or you don't - and everyones happy.

Need to nip this in the bud here because they sound very high-maintenance and if you accede to them on this you'll no doubt open the floodgates to all sorts of ridiculous demands.



I wouldn't touch Tesco microwaves with a bargepole - my mum bought one and it broke in less than 2 mths - brought it back and got a reaplacement and the replacement went kaput in another 2 mths ! Worthless rubbish.

My Tesco microwave worked out quite well, never had a problem with it! Anyway my main point was you can buy a decent microwave very cheaply, the likes of Argos often have them for half price etc, and the tenants are taking the mick looking for an item like that

Duckjob

Agree. OP should replace the tenants if replacing anything.

frogstar

It amazes me sometimes what tenants request

My current tenant (who is lovely and a good tenant ) calls me each time a light bulb goes for me to replace. I live close by so not really an issue as she has been there two years with no issue.

Re the microwave, get them to buy their own and you keep the one thats there for your next lot

If your shower is one of those crappy ones over the bath then I would consider getting at least an electric one. They may not have noticed at the time they viewed. Think of it as an investment. For me it would be a dealbreaker and may not renew the lease. But I would have hoped to notice before signing lease

hmmm

Did they say "we want this or we're off", or was it just in passing as something to consider? Because I'd be guilty of the latter as a tenant and it's not unusual when settling into a new place - you miss stuff at viewings that only become obvious when you've lived in a place for a while. If it's the former, they sound like trouble to me I'm afraid.

fasttalkerchat

I learned the hard way to always test the shower before signing anything!
I no longer stay in B&Bs because I got one of those pressure-less mains ones with no pump fitted. I left freezing cold and drowsy at 7am slamming doors behind me.

About the shower, you can't really expect a tenant to buy the shower. Even if they were willing to, its going to leave a mess if they take it with them.

fasttalkerchat

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

If you're worried about upsetting them just tell them you can't afford it.

If he can't afford it what is he doing with the money they pay him. Saying he can't afford it would be accepting that he should do the work. They will suggest that they pay and let him repay them in instalments from the rent.

Pawwed Rig

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

If he can't afford it what is he doing with the money they pay him.

Paying his mortgage??

dee_mc

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Paying his mortgage??

Exactly, his income is his business! He doesn't owe them anything extra simply because they're paying rent :eek:

Pawwed Rig

It is not a difficult issue really tbh. I had a tenant once demanding a shed for the back garden. I told him if he wants one he can buy one but that one doesn't come included with the house.

dee_mc

Was agreeing with you Pawwed Rig, sorry if the way I quoted the message was misleading but we're clearly in agreement anyway

riclad

IF You are making a profit, paying tax on the rent ,
you can claim, the cost of the shower ,plus installation
,in tax credits, over x amount of years .
MY landlord would set the central,heating to come ,on every morning ,to heat up the water.
645 am -8am, as that was the time his 2 tenants would shower ,
Before going to work,
This was before he got a power shower fitted .
ITS possible to get a new timer unit to central heating boiler,
with a boost 1 hour button, and a led display to set start times etc

MurdyWurdy

As someone mentioned earlier some microwaves don't have defrost settings but you can change the power level to 30% and that does the job, my parents do this on their microwave. I also agree that if they want a new microwave they can buy one. That's what I've done in the past. Fair enough they might not have noticed no defrost setting on the microwave before they moved in but there is more than likely a way around it that's very simple.

As for the shower, they should have tested it before they moved in. We'd all love a power shower but you are not obliged to put one in just because they want one.They're taking the piss, imo

fasttalkerchat

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Paying his mortgage??

He is being paid to provide a service, not to get a mortgage on the tenants behalf.

Pawwed Rig

I don't understand your point. Why would he get a mortgage on behalf of the tenant? The discussion is about whether he should feel obliged to upgrade items in the house.

You asked what he was doing with the money the tenant gave him and I suggested (admittedly with no evidence) that the rent money is probably being used to pay a mortgage. I don't think that is an outlandish claim tbh.

I am sure the OP could confirm or deny if it was any of our business.

PhilMcGee

I have taken out power showers out of my properties.
They are notorious for breaking and very expensive to get repaired.
A simple electric shower that you can get for about €60 does the trick.
If thats not good enough for the tenant then they dont have to take the place.
I wouldnt buy them a microwave if the one supplied didnt have a certain button. Let them go buy it if they want it. I had someone ask to have all the 100 watt light bulbs replaced with energy saving bulbs once. I said no. In the past I have had all energy saving light bulbs in an apartment only to find that they all disappear with the tenant moving out and normal cheap light bulbs left in their place. Tenant said they all blew and they replaced them all.