New Carpets- should we pay

tilly2484

We rent privately and we do get on well with our landlord and get on pretty well. The carpet in the hall and stairs is awful, it's like straw and is now coming away from the doorways and stairs, i tripped up the stairs the other day because of it. The carpet has been there over 5 years. Now should our landlord replace this? We mentioned it previously- along with a list of other things and he said he'd go halves with us- but surely he should replace as over 5 years and it's wear and tear? Thanks:rolleyes:

Robert_Sterling_3

At first sight I can't see any reason why you should contribute to the cost of a new carpet. The landlord might hope to charge more rent to his next tenants though.

BettyDebt

I too cannot see why you would have to contribute to the replacement unless it was not just wear & tear (though then I'd have thought you'd be responsible for all of it). I would only consider contributing a small amount if I actually got to choose the carpet!

Piggles12345

No wonder you have a good relationship with your landlord if you are willing to go half and half on decoration, furnishing etc.!

You shouldn't be contributing anything at all!

tilly2484

I know i think the issue is that my partner lived there a few years previous to me moving in and have got this kind of 50/50% relationship but know we are trying to sort money out etc i don't want to have to pay what we don't have to

sooz

When did you last talk to the LL about carpets? It sounds like you don't like them, & before they tore you discussed it. In which case, it's not so unreasonable (although a little unusual) for your LL to ask for a contribution if you purely want a change due to taste.

Have you told him that they are torn & now hazardous. This is a totally different matter, & it's the LL's responsibility to fix the hazard (although depending on the state of them, this might be a repair rather than replacement)

tilly2484

OH is going to talk to him this weekend about it. It's dangerous to go up and down the stairs now. Our landlord takes a very long time to do things- partly because my OH puts no pressure on and since i've moved in things have change! Lol. We also have a broken window in the bathroom- again been like that before my partner moved in years ago and never been done. Mould is growing in the bathroom because of it. Our landlord has the window replacement but just hasn't fitted it!! I've told OH to pull his finger out and tell him it has to be done! Thanks everyone

poppysarah

It needs replacing if it's dangerously fraying. An accident on the stairs is the last thing you want.
If it's 5 years old and cheap carpet then it'll be ready to be replaced so it's just wear and tear and you shouldn't have to pay anything.

gmgmgm

tilly2484 wrote: »

We also have a broken window in the bathroom- again been like that before my partner moved in years ago and never been done. Mould is growing in the bathroom because of it. Our landlord has the window replacement but just hasn't fitted it!!

Why would a broken window cause mould? Is it raining into the room and not being cleared up??

scrummy_mummy_2

A LL has a legal duty of care to his tenants. If the carpet is dangerous because of fair wear and tear, it is the LL responsibility to repair/replace it, otherwise you can sue him!...not a course I recommend but it is his responsibility.

As a LL myself, any reticence I have to do things is usually driven by access issues...trying to get a time when the tenant is in to assess the problem, trying to get a time when the tenant is in to get quotes, trying to find a time when the tenant is in to get the work done....so I tell my tenants, if it is broken, ring me, see if I have a contractor I can recommend in my address book, get it sorted and sent the bill to me.......perhaps his issue is not so much the money as the fag of getting it sorted. Perhaps you could say to him it is dangerous, it needs repair/replacement and offer to do it and ask him where he would like the bill sending to.??
Of course, if the tenant wants something specific, I would assess their request and, if it was neutral, let them have what they wanted...after all it is their home, but it depends on the tenant. My 6 year tenants can have what they want...I know they'll stay...my 6 monthers will get what they're given.

tilly2484

Yes the rain gets into the broken window, the mould is all around the window.

Our LL usually does things himself as he is in the trade and so knows a few people who can do it cheaper, i think it's just because he is very busy. We have been there 4 years and he knows we plan to be there a few more years. He is good at some things e.g put a new kitchen in but seems to leave the more critical things. Hopefully after OH speaks to him it will be ok as we get on well. I know he is struggling a bit because of credit crunch as he mentioned it last time so maybe thats it.