Landlord costs of new blind
Discussion
I am a reluctant landlord of a flat that i couldn't sell and rent out to a lovely lady. A blind has broke on a small window, not a major issue. Its been on the window for around 13 years so its done well. I'm right in assuming that as its wear and tear i am responsible for a new one?
also had a few blinds from 247 blinds made to measure, can't fault them DaGuv said:
I am a reluctant landlord of a flat that i couldn't sell and rent out to a lovely lady. A blind has broke on a small window, not a major issue. Its been on the window for around 13 years so its done well. I'm right in assuming that as its wear and tear i am responsible for a new one?
You could always buy the new one and give it to her and suggest she pays someone to fit it.Thats what i'd do i think.
Depends what's in the tenancy agreement regarding repairs. All plastic items break over time, due to the effects of light etc on them.
Genereally, fixtures and fittings that came with the flat when she moved in will be your responsibility so long as she has not brokedn them through abuse or misuse.
If you do replace the blind it will be treated as repairs in your tax return and you will get full tax relief against your rental income.
Genereally, fixtures and fittings that came with the flat when she moved in will be your responsibility so long as she has not brokedn them through abuse or misuse.
If you do replace the blind it will be treated as repairs in your tax return and you will get full tax relief against your rental income.
You need to replace the blind, it's your responsibility.
A plain one from Dunelm or somewhere like that will be less than £30 so not even worth hesitating over. Doubly so if she's a decent tenant, you want to keep her happy.
Carpets in rented properties have an expected lifespan of 10 years and are deemed to be pretty much valueless after that, so even if she had broken the blind you'd struggle to claim anything for it from her at this stage.
A plain one from Dunelm or somewhere like that will be less than £30 so not even worth hesitating over. Doubly so if she's a decent tenant, you want to keep her happy.
Carpets in rented properties have an expected lifespan of 10 years and are deemed to be pretty much valueless after that, so even if she had broken the blind you'd struggle to claim anything for it from her at this stage.
doesthiswork said:
You need to replace the blind, it's your responsibility.
A plain one from Dunelm or somewhere like that will be less than £30 so not even worth hesitating over. Doubly so if she's a decent tenant, you want to keep her happy.
Carpets in rented properties have an expected lifespan of 10 years and are deemed to be pretty much valueless after that, so even if she had broken the blind you'd struggle to claim anything for it from her at this stage.
Might well find them even cheaper on ebay.A plain one from Dunelm or somewhere like that will be less than £30 so not even worth hesitating over. Doubly so if she's a decent tenant, you want to keep her happy.
Carpets in rented properties have an expected lifespan of 10 years and are deemed to be pretty much valueless after that, so even if she had broken the blind you'd struggle to claim anything for it from her at this stage.
Definitely buy a made to measure item online. They are a little dearer than the DIY cut to fit stuff from Argos/IKEA, but they are far more robust & easy to fit.
& don't forget to fit the safety hook thing to avoid strangulation - I understand that this could be a legal requirement(??)
& don't forget to fit the safety hook thing to avoid strangulation - I understand that this could be a legal requirement(??)
Options are:
1/ DIY it if you're competent, for the lowest cost.
2/ Pay someone competent to do it for you.
3/ Insist that the tenant does it. (Upset the tenant & allow some idiot with a overpowered SDS hammer drill to make a godawful mess of the wall that you will have to pay out to get fixed.)
Up to you really.
1/ DIY it if you're competent, for the lowest cost.
2/ Pay someone competent to do it for you.
3/ Insist that the tenant does it. (Upset the tenant & allow some idiot with a overpowered SDS hammer drill to make a godawful mess of the wall that you will have to pay out to get fixed.)
Up to you really.
Grumps. said:
DaGuv said:
I am a reluctant landlord of a flat that i couldn't sell and rent out to a lovely lady. A blind has broke on a small window, not a major issue. Its been on the window for around 13 years so its done well. I'm right in assuming that as its wear and tear i am responsible for a new one?
You could always buy the new one and give it to her and suggest she pays someone to fit it.Thats what i'd do i think.
king hate landlords.The first house I rented for £60 a month (it was a long time ago) my girlfrend and I lived in for three years.
I was terrfied of contacting the landlord for anything, so when the sceptic tank blocked up one freezing new year's eve, I bought some drain rods and climbed in.....
But it was a furnished rental, so two years in, when the ancient bed gave up and we needed a new one, I braved it and wrote to him.
Three days later he turned up out of the blue in hired van, with a new bed and a load of other stuff, cheerful as you like, and made our day.
So be a decent landlord and either fit a new blind yourself or pay a competent person to do it for you.
Don't bugger your decent tenant around or do half a job, be decent and sort it.
And do it willingly and cheerfully, not grudgingly, and check if anyhting else needs attention while you are there.
You are after all getting her rent every month. That doesn't come entirely without obligations.
I was terrfied of contacting the landlord for anything, so when the sceptic tank blocked up one freezing new year's eve, I bought some drain rods and climbed in.....
But it was a furnished rental, so two years in, when the ancient bed gave up and we needed a new one, I braved it and wrote to him.
Three days later he turned up out of the blue in hired van, with a new bed and a load of other stuff, cheerful as you like, and made our day.
So be a decent landlord and either fit a new blind yourself or pay a competent person to do it for you.
Don't bugger your decent tenant around or do half a job, be decent and sort it.
And do it willingly and cheerfully, not grudgingly, and check if anyhting else needs attention while you are there.
You are after all getting her rent every month. That doesn't come entirely without obligations.
This is a drop in the ocean of some of the expenses of being a landlord. I know as until recently I was one.
Presumably, gas, electric, legionaries certificates, boiler servicing etc are all up to date.
If 50 quid to keep a good tenant happy is too much, what are you going to do when the new EPC regulations kick in?
Presumably, gas, electric, legionaries certificates, boiler servicing etc are all up to date.
If 50 quid to keep a good tenant happy is too much, what are you going to do when the new EPC regulations kick in?
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