"Enhancements" to rental property
Discussion
dtmpower said:
Schnozz, where in the country is this? I'm just imagining the type of tenant you would have on the south coast spending silly money on the dream garden. A 3 bed estate house is north of a grand in Whiteley these days. Our old house is up for £1050 and we left it landscaped with decking and artificial lawn.
It's a 4 bedder in the Midlands mate (not the old gaff in Grange Park) with similar sort of yield. Estate location, garden isn't huge as newish build but that kind of compounds the point when most of the sq footage is covered by hard surfaces.Shnozz said:
Indeed.
I don't know if they have rented previously but their approach makes me think it might be new to them. I know of their financial ups and downs historically which appear linked to their timing in moving in and I wonder if they have always owned their own place rather than understood the concepts that sit around renting somewhere.
That's quite plausible.I don't know if they have rented previously but their approach makes me think it might be new to them. I know of their financial ups and downs historically which appear linked to their timing in moving in and I wonder if they have always owned their own place rather than understood the concepts that sit around renting somewhere.
I would advise treading carefully and delicately, as you don't want to upset what sound like pretty good tenants, but they really have GOT to understand, in the nicest possible way, that they need to get permission for stuff like that. If they don't, then they aren't actually the great tenants that they appear to be. Sounds harsh, but I'm a tenant so reasonably unbiased in this!
Shnozz said:
Indeed.
I don't know if they have rented previously but their approach makes me think it might be new to them. I know of their financial ups and downs historically which appear linked to their timing in moving in and I wonder if they have always owned their own place rather than understood the concepts that sit around renting somewhere.
Some people don't. I lived in my last rented place for a long time - 5 years or so. I looked after it and used the inspections to hassle the landlord into doing a bit of maintenance, which they did. Only paint and fixing leaks, but fair dos. I just left it as it was. When I left they shoed round some new tenants and one woman was all set to replace carpets and all sorts. On a lowish rent small 2 bed semi, in a very everage bit of town? Why? Takes all sorts, but all I did was to keep it clean and the garden mowed.I don't know if they have rented previously but their approach makes me think it might be new to them. I know of their financial ups and downs historically which appear linked to their timing in moving in and I wonder if they have always owned their own place rather than understood the concepts that sit around renting somewhere.
The hard edged way of looking at it is that, technically, they have 'damaged' the property by making substantial unauthorised changes to the garden. I wouldn't suggest approaching it that way, but in cold legal terms that's what they've done. Ok it's not the same as damage such as smashing stuff up, but if you wanted to return it to its original condition the costs wouldn't be much different.
Again, not advising taking that approach, but it's worth remembering in the background.
Again, not advising taking that approach, but it's worth remembering in the background.
zarjaz1991 said:
That's quite plausible.
I would advise treading carefully and delicately, as you don't want to upset what sound like pretty good tenants, but they really have GOT to understand, in the nicest possible way, that they need to get permission for stuff like that. If they don't, then they aren't actually the great tenants that they appear to be. Sounds harsh, but I'm a tenant so reasonably unbiased in this!
I am minded to agree. I would advise treading carefully and delicately, as you don't want to upset what sound like pretty good tenants, but they really have GOT to understand, in the nicest possible way, that they need to get permission for stuff like that. If they don't, then they aren't actually the great tenants that they appear to be. Sounds harsh, but I'm a tenant so reasonably unbiased in this!
I will approach softly softly. At the end of the day, they have been in place a long time and reliable with rent. In that respect, I have a lot to thank them for. For my part, I let them have the place on the cheap and, if they were to move out, they would be looking at £200PCM more for similar. A single month's void would dispense with any additional yearly yield I could make so I see that cheaper rent as working for both of us but, equally, it means we both stand to lose if their tenancy comes to an end.
If it were closer I would drop by in an instant to have a light-hearted but poignant face to face. As it is, I think I will give him a buzz over the weekend, say how great it looks but iron out what he needs to do before carrying out such projects.
If he wants to add an extra double garage, an indoor pool and a 2 storey extension, however, I am game on.
Shnozz said:
I am minded to agree.
I will approach softly softly. At the end of the day, they have been in place a long time and reliable with rent. In that respect, I have a lot to thank them for. For my part, I let them have the place on the cheap and, if they were to move out, they would be looking at £200PCM more for similar. A single month's void would dispense with any additional yearly yield I could make so I see that cheaper rent as working for both of us but, equally, it means we both stand to lose if their tenancy comes to an end.
If it were closer I would drop by in an instant to have a light-hearted but poignant face to face. As it is, I think I will give him a buzz over the weekend, say how great it looks but iron out what he needs to do before carrying out such projects.
If he wants to add an extra double garage, an indoor pool and a 2 storey extension, however, I am game on.
It sounds like a plan. I would wonder if it would be better done face to face, but given the distance this would require pre-arranging which might panic them if you don't arrange to meet them often.I will approach softly softly. At the end of the day, they have been in place a long time and reliable with rent. In that respect, I have a lot to thank them for. For my part, I let them have the place on the cheap and, if they were to move out, they would be looking at £200PCM more for similar. A single month's void would dispense with any additional yearly yield I could make so I see that cheaper rent as working for both of us but, equally, it means we both stand to lose if their tenancy comes to an end.
If it were closer I would drop by in an instant to have a light-hearted but poignant face to face. As it is, I think I will give him a buzz over the weekend, say how great it looks but iron out what he needs to do before carrying out such projects.
If he wants to add an extra double garage, an indoor pool and a 2 storey extension, however, I am game on.
battered said:
Some people don't. I lived in my last rented place for a long time - 5 years or so. I looked after it and used the inspections to hassle the landlord into doing a bit of maintenance, which they did. Only paint and fixing leaks, but fair dos. I just left it as it was. When I left they shoed round some new tenants and one woman was all set to replace carpets and all sorts. On a lowish rent small 2 bed semi, in a very everage bit of town? Why? Takes all sorts, but all I did was to keep it clean and the garden mowed.
I think perhaps a small part of the difference is this is a family home, perhaps more so than the 2 up 2 down rent a pads with transient tenants and single professionals moving in and out.To paint the picture a bit more, its a 4 bedder in a very small countryside market town with small schools etc. When they moved in, 8 years back, they had 2 early teenage daughters who are now back at the house having done university in the interim etc. They have had pets, they have painted rooms, they have got to know the neighbours etc etc. It does feel that perhaps over time the concept that they are paying a monthly fee to temporarily borrow the place has perhaps given way to the fact its very much their home and has been for some time.
skeggysteve said:
Shnozz said:
... its very much their home and has been for some time...
Might be your house but it is their home. 
Having lived next to two rental properties from hell (fences falling apart, unkept gardens, etc.) you're incredibly lucky to have nice tenants. Maybe a friendly reminder from the agent that they should clear any significant alterations with you, but you are pleased with what they have done (assuming you are). Everyone's a winner then.
Shnozz said:
Again though, you would think some comms on the issue might assist in determining if all singing from the same hymn sheet.
I'd be really nervous about doing that as a tenant... Landlord gets a valuation and suddenly decides they can make loads and sells it from under you!carreauchompeur said:
Maybe they're considering buying it in the future...
Just thought I'd chime in with my experience from a few years ago. I rented out to a seemingly nice lady in her 50s and she uttered the immortal "if you ever want to sell....." After a short period (probably after her first 6 or 12 months contract) I decided I would sell so let her know it was going on the market. At this point we found serous internal changes to decoration etc.
In fact she was in the middle of decorating the master bedroom! Once her notice was served the decorating went downhill fast with paint spilled on carpets etc as she took offence at being evicted. Had to go through a dispute over the deposit to rectify her damage. She on obviously thought of the place as her home and with it had the right to do whatever she wanted.
Some people are strange.
It's not that unusual. Many people are now looking at long term rental rather than buying. Accordingly, they are happy to spend time and money on the property to make it "feel like home".
I would have a friendly word with them. If you are not planning to sell any time soon, and it would appear they are planning to stay long term, then what's the problem?
I would have a friendly word with them. If you are not planning to sell any time soon, and it would appear they are planning to stay long term, then what's the problem?
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