Being on the other side - landlord becomes tenant.

So today I'm a landlord who has become a tenant. I'm renting a small one bed roomed flat in a Grade II listed building within walking distance of the University of Salford. The letting agent seem to operate in slightly different way form the ones I employ. However, one good thing is that you pay one month's rent plus the rest of this month's to bring the paying date up to 1st of the next month - in this case October. Very sensible. One is usually paid on the last day of the month.

It's a very secure ;little place, and I did manage to beat them down on the rent - by £25.oo pcm (per calendar month). However - there was a,list of faults:

• the toilet was block -(Yuk, somebody else's poo keeps floating up whenever you flush - bet it was somehting to do with the people who spent eight hours cleaning the flat.


• two of the three smoke alarms are hanging don form the ceiling.


• walls quite badly marked, especially near the storage heaters


• inventory not correct.


• no instructions for washing machine, alarm system, oven etc.

And not really any body's fault, but I couldn't find my way into the main part of the building. And somehow, despite the clean, the atmosphere of the previous tenant still lingers. Never mind though, I'll still soon chase him out.

I think it;s actually going to be a nice flat. It's in the old part of the building, and is an interesting shape. It looks out on to a small garden at the front, and though it's near the main road, you hardly hear it. At the back, it looks through French windows on to a type t terrace. There are some flower baskets, and it does seem very pleasant. It's a very secure place. Two locks to get in, phone entry, alarm fitted, gated car park.

But, of course, the very best news for me is that it is five minutes walk from the office.