"Enhancements" to rental property

[Jimmyarm]

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.

The last rented place we were in was occupied by my mums (now ex) partner beforehand. He had the whole place decorated and new carpets put in before he moved into it. The landlord was obviously more than happy with him doing this.

Some people are just odd, I always fixed minor things like door handles etc in rented places but had a rule that if it was going to cost me more than a few quid then the landlord can pay for it.

(Un)Fortunately we now have a house so I have to pay for everything

[Howard-]

We moved in to our rented house just after Christmas and I'm hoping it'll be a long term thing. I do my best to keep the place looking presentable - it is our home, after all - and when we do move out, my aim is for the place to be in the same or better condition than stated on the inventory. I basically want to be a model tenant.

However, there's no way in hell I'd do such drastic work to the garden without asking the landlords first, and it's not something I'd consider spending what probably was a fairly large amount of money on, since it's not my house. Tidy up the garden, give it some on going TLC, tweak it a bit, plant some plants, stuff like that sure, but not a whole remodel!

In terms of decorating, I'm aiming for when we (hopefully) renew our contract to come to an agreement with the landlord surrounding a new downstairs carpet and a lick of paint in a couple of rooms. I'd also like an outside tap fitted to make washing my car easier

I've always gotten permission for every little thing that I've changed, lest it come back to bite me. And our landlords have been excellent thus far.


OP, you're not being unreasonable. You need to thank them for their continued care to the property but remind them that they need to seek permission for alteration as I'm sure it says in the tenancy agreement. State the reasons you mentioned - electrical conformation, extra stuff to maintain, etc. I'm sure they'll understand.

[Rangeroverover]

I would write to them making it clear in E Blyton language that on ending the tenancy they will not be removing decking etc; also that you \MUST be asked first if they intend to undertake any more works/decorating or they will be liable to their tenancy ending.

They will naturally expect you to be grateful and when/if you increase the rent, you will be a monster as its only worth more due to their work/expenditure

[Shnozz]

Howard- said:

We moved in to our rented house just after Christmas and I'm hoping it'll be a long term thing. I do my best to keep the place looking presentable - it is our home, after all - and when we do move out, my aim is for the place to be in the same or better condition than stated on the inventory. I basically want to be a model tenant.

However, there's no way in hell I'd do such drastic work to the garden without asking the landlords first, and it's not something I'd consider spending what probably was a fairly large amount of money on, since it's not my house. Tidy up the garden, give it some on going TLC, tweak it a bit, plant some plants, stuff like that sure, but not a whole remodel!

In terms of decorating, I'm aiming for when we (hopefully) renew our contract to come to an agreement with the landlord surrounding a new downstairs carpet and a lick of paint in a couple of rooms. I'd also like an outside tap fitted to make washing my car easier

I've always gotten permission for every little thing that I've changed, lest it come back to bite me. And our landlords have been excellent thus far.


OP, you're not being unreasonable. You need to thank them for their continued care to the property but remind them that they need to seek permission for alteration as I'm sure it says in the tenancy agreement. State the reasons you mentioned - electrical conformation, extra stuff to maintain, etc. I'm sure they'll understand.

Thanks for that - nice to hear it from the tenants side too. Your own approach is how it should work in my head - consultation and cooperation on both sides.

[Slagathore]

They've read this - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jun/11/je...

And will be voting for Corbyn!!

Decking is a pain to maintain in a rental, so I would just thank them and say it's nice, blah blah, but they will need to remove it when they go, be it in a year or 10 years!!

I don't think it would have a huge impact on how rentable the house is, but it's just more cost for you going forward to maintain it.

[uncinqsix]

We did quite a lot of landscaping work on the property we were renting: cutting down trees, putting in garden beds etc. Always got permission from the landlords first though, and ended up buying the place off them after 4 years...

Putting in decking without asking is taking things a bit far.

[55palfers]

Shnozz said:

I am based 2 - 3 hours away but I think I might send a brief text for now and follow it up by a drop in next time I am on the road in that direction.

So actually,not sufficiently concerned to drive a few hours and check your property out.

They sound like they actually care about their home.

[Shnozz]

55palfers said:

Shnozz said:

I am based 2 - 3 hours away but I think I might send a brief text for now and follow it up by a drop in next time I am on the road in that direction.

So actually,not sufficiently concerned to drive a few hours and check your property out.

They sound like they actually care about their home.

A 5 - 6 hour round trip and a day of lost earnings, not to mind pressing matters that I could do with attending to. Opportunity cost seems disproportionate to deliver the message "don't breach what it says in the contract". Attendance in person was more to ensure a pleasant exchange and avoid any acrimony that can sometimes be misconstrued in the written word or even phone calls. The point I was making was that if they were around the corner it would be worth doing. At fairly significant cost it's not.

And they no doubt do care about the home, and I am delighted about that. However, a loft conversion would show adoration in equal measures. There is treating it with respect, as they certainly are, then there is making adaptions to the property without first checking with the owner. That's the nub of it.