Tenant wants to make modifications to my property

patchman

My new tenant has asked if ,amongst other things he can put a new bathroom suite into my propery, remove fireplace and a couple of other modifications. I have no problem with this in principal as they do need improving and he will get them done professionally. My only concern is the possible come back at the end of the tenancy. I could get something drawn up and signed by all parties to the effect that there will be no financial repercussions and the property is left as it is at the end of his tenancy. I just wondered if anyone had been asked anything similar by their tenants and could offer me any advice?

DawnW

I personally would not allow this. Why on earth would the tenant go to all the expense of having this done professionally when they could be issued S21 at the end of the AST, or with 2 months notice once it goes periodic? It doesn't sound quite right to me. Having said that, my T asked if they could paint the lounge in my property. I agreed to this, and paid for paint that we chose together (ie no black, purple or puce). At least if she makes a mess of it, it won't cost the earth to sort out when she leaves.

poppysarah

It sounds like it has huge potential for going wrong.

Are they planning on DIY'ing or paying someone to do the work. What are they expecting from you in return?

missymugwump

Hi

You don't say if this is a long term tenant ?
If they have rented from you for a few years & have no intention of leaving they may feel its worth the expense
After all a bathroom suite in the sales these days is as cheap as chips as can be fire surrounds etc..
Or maybe they are planning to buy new on ebay or somewhere and get a bargain
Also it is less disruptive to them if they are controlling the trade that is fitting it ?

If as you say they need doing anyway I don't see how you have anything to lose
As long as you get something in writing

You can get great free advice from experienced/legal posters here http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3


We had a new bedroom carpet that we paid for in a rented house,landlord was going to do it but never got round to it
For us the £100 was worth it we lived there for 15 months & it made a real difference

patchman

thanks for the replies, the tenants want to stay long term , they've already paid for 6 months upfront and want to renew at the end of that.

McKneff

Hi patchman, if as you say in your post the place needs updating, why dont you just organise it and of course pay for it. After all it is your property.

Bathroom suites are ten a pnny these days.

maninthestreet

anniehanlon wrote: »

Hi patchman, if as you say in your post the place needs updating, why dont you just organise it and of course pay for it. After all it is your property.

Bathroom suites are ten a pnny these days.

What about the labour costs?

poppysarah

There's a bloke in the paper does then all in for 300 quid. But I suspect that's the minimum and for tiling, flooring etc it's extra.

What if the tenant takes out a good bathroom and can't afford to finish it off, or does a bad job of it.

tbs624

missymugwump wrote: »

You don't say if this is a long term tenant ?
If they have rented from you for a few years & have no intention of leaving they may feel its worth the expense...

check:

patchman wrote: »

My new tenant................ My only concern is the possible come back at the end of the tenancy. ?

my emboldening.

missymugwump wrote: »

We had a new bedroom carpet that we paid for in a rented house,landlord was going to do it but never got round to it
For us the £100 was worth it we lived there for 15 months & it made a real difference

That's a furnishing and you could have chosen to take it with you and put the the LL's old one back down when you left. Entirely different to new bathroom, fireplaces etc

OP I agree with Dawn - but I think I'd consider meeting him halfway by putting a new bathroom in at my own expense if it the current one is looking shabby/dated and he has signed up for more than 12 months.

Edit - just read your post re 6 months tenancy ( joys of doing other things in between completing posts!) *Why* did the T pay 6 months rent up front?

geoffky

i would go for it.on the condition of you being happy with the finish...

Dithering_Dad

This is what happens in other countries where it's more usual to rent than to buy. People get a long-term tenancy and pretty much treat the home as theirs. I guess in a similar way as happens in the UK with commercial properties - the tenant rents the shop on a long-term lease and fits it out to his own requirements and at his own expense.

Due to the mania in the UK of having to own property and being perceived as a failure if you rent long-term, this just doesn't happen here. This is a real shame because not everyone wants to buy, indeed not everyone should buy (as shown by the rise in reposessions).

If I were in your position I would discuss my concerns with the tenant (build quality, possibility of the work being half completed and the tenant leaving, etc) and also discuss their concerns (doing up the place and then being asked to leave). I'd suggest that to protect them, they should receive a long-term letting agreement (much longer than the current 6 month AST) and in return that you get the tradesmen in and arrange for the work to be carried out, but that they pay for the work.

You'd then be assured of the work quality and would know that it would be completed and they get assurance that they will have a long-term lease to enjoy the improvements they've made.