Proposition for my LL - Thoughts please

talulahbeige_2

I'm looking for an opinions / suggestions on this idea.

I currently rent a small house which is great in summer but downstairs is freezing during winter and I'm not prepared to stay for another winter in the same conditions. We have central heating but the problem is that the house is quite open plan and the internal porch area is wooden, old, rotten, isnt double glazed and is mainly window so the cold / wind come straight through it and the heat goes straight out again. The landlord is aware of the issues with the porch area and has recently replaced a couple of windows downstairs for the same reason.

I'm thinking of putting a proposal to the LL via our LA (who are quite good when it comes to LA's).
We would agree to sign a new 1 yr long tennancy (currently on a rolling basis) if they replace the porch so it is weather proof.

Personally I think its a good proposal and all 3 parties (LA, LL, Me) will benefit.
The LL will benefit as they have gauranteed rent for a minimum of 1 yr (it will be longer as if this happens we will be staying for at least 2yrs). They wont have to find new tennants and have the property sat empty (it was empty for 4mths before we took it on). Thats got to be good in the current climate.
The LA has to do minimal work as we would stay put
I'd benefit as I'd get to stay in a great house. I dont really want to have the hassle / expense of moving but staying in the property for another winter in its current condition isnt an option so if they didnt go for this then we would definatley be moving during summer.

I'm interested in all opinions please, especially those of LL's and also the best way to go about putting this to them.

I'm also concerned that if we put this to them are they likely to give us notice now rather than wait for us to hand our notice in during late summer when we would choose to move?


Thanks

mlz1413

I'd ask, through your normal route, if the porch is going to be re-newed before winter, if you have already spoken to the LA & LL about this then all you are doing is asking if it is going to happen and if it will be before next winter.

Asking the question should make the LA & LL realise that it is an issue you want addressing but without going as far as expressing it as an ultimatium.

If the question isn't answered or you are fobbed off then it's probably best to write a polite letter stating that whilst you are happy in the house you would like to know if the porch area will be re-newed due to the extreme cold in winter, include that you are looking to stay for another year or two as you are happy and settled in the house.

I would stay away from any suggestions that this is good for LL due to not having to find new tenants or possible voids, if its taken badly (high possiblility IMO) then you could find yourself with 2 months notice.


Re the cold in winter did you try putting up a long heavy curtain infront of the door? My friend did this as she had a fully glazed door that was into straight into the lounge from the street, it was amazing how much cold it stopped and that wasn't a rotten door.

talulahbeige_2

Thank you for your response

mlz1413 wrote: »

Re the cold in winter did you try putting up a long heavy curtain infront of the door? My friend did this as she had a fully glazed door that was into straight into the lounge from the street, it was amazing how much cold it stopped and that wasn't a rotten door.

We did look at doing this last year but there is no where to put up a curtain rail.

mlz1413

Put it on the back of the door that way it doesn't hinder the door opening, you can either use curtain track or a net wire (depending on weight of curtain) - just thread the wire through the curtains heading, needs a small hole each end of curtain.

You can get some curtain rails that can be hung from the ceiling, I have a metal pole in my dining room that is from the ceiling, with tab top curtains it doesn't matter about the angle.

talulahbeige_2

mlz1413 wrote: »

Put it on the back of the door that way it doesn't hinder the door opening, you can either use curtain track or a net wire (depending on weight of curtain) - just thread the wire through the curtains heading, needs a small hole each end of curtain.

You can get some curtain rails that can be hung from the ceiling, I have a metal pole in my dining room that is from the ceiling, with tab top curtains it doesn't matter about the angle.

Thank you for this but its more than just the door that needs covering, its at least 4 meters long

Pee

It's a difficult one. I let a house - at less than the going rate because it is to friends. I know that they want new windows in the property. In an ideal world, so would I, but the only way that can happen is that instead of paying rent that covers my mortgage they pay rent that recovers me my mortgage plus the £2,500 new windows would cost.

Since the property was empty for 4 months before you moved in, if there are lots of other properties to rent in the area at a similiar or lower rent, then I would make the suggestion.

eamon

You should ask the question and if the answer isn't what you want to hear then you know what to do.