Renting out to friends, good decision?
Saturday, September 7, 2013 @ 10:27 AM
Having bought our lovely apartment two years ago near Guardemar del Segura and shown it off to friends and raved about the unspoilt (mainly) area, we were asked by a friend if he could go there with a friend for a week as he didn't have a lot of money and hadn't had a holiday in 3 years. The heart strings were being tugged already, and I thought I could try to keep any costs down that I could, after all he hadn't had a holiday for 3 years. Let's call him Justin for the sake of a name. The rate I came up with would cover any utility bills, and also after some research on holiday letting sites be somewhat cheaper, by at least £100 pounds, on condition he gave the place a good going over and left ship shape. So far, so good, Justin over the moon with the rate, even commenting that an apartment in our very own community w a lot more expensive and our furniture etc was so much nicer compared to the standard in the others, he had done his homework! Had a nice email after he arrived, all was well, he was delighted with everything and he and his partner just adored the area. On the day he should have arrived home, I called him to see if all was ok, funny I got a euro tone on his phone, oh dear I thought, he's left or lost his phone in Spain ! next day the same but no answer to my call or text. This was now day nine of a seven day holiday. The following day I do get a call, with some fantastic story how the bus to the airport broke down, he missed his flight and returned to the apartment and couldn't get a flight back for two days to London from Alicante, even I was surprised, with all the flights available. Didn't think to let me know he was staying two extra nights, but I sympathised a little with his plight. No offer to pay for the extra, but then he had to pay out for new flights so I did feel sorry for him. Now it gets interesting, I happen to be very friendly with a work colleague of his, as I used to work at the same place until recently and Justin was a friend through work. I mentioned how Justin had had a terrible time getting home, this was met with surprise as she said he had booked off to return after a break of 10 days, and had told everyone his plan was to return on the so called rebooked flight schedule! So it transpires he paid me for 7 nights but had a 9 night ! A call to a neighbour in Spain confirmed he did not leave on agreed day. On top of that I have a no smoking rule and this neighbour popped in to check, all ok and the place reeked! Can't wait to get utility bill, probably what I charged him won't cover him no doubt leaving air con on day and night. Lesson learnt, I am yet to confront him with my knowledge, when I have calmed down! Now another friend has asked, and I cannot decide wether it's worth the aggravation for about £80 pounds profit, which I put into our maintenance fund. Any tips for a naive owner much appreciated!