Should we buy a new carpet?

Crap_with_money.com

G_M wrote: »

Sounds a bit like the tenants kids were repsonsible and they are trying it on. But that's just a guess.

What does the inventory say about the condition of the carpet? Did the tenants sign the inventory?

He doesn't actually have an inventory, it's the first he's let it out and we didn't know to do that - neither of us have ever been given an inventory ourselves to sign when we've rented privately, the only time we thought of it was with the flat my fiance is renting now, which is through an agency and they had him sign one. By that time it was too late... we'll defo bear it in mind for the next tennant though

Fire_Fox

Crap_with_money.com wrote: »

He doesn't actually have an inventory, it's the first he's let it out and we didn't know to do that - neither of us have ever been given an inventory ourselves to sign when we've rented privately, the only time we thought of it was with the flat my fiance is renting now, which is through an agency and they had him sign one. By that time it was too late... we'll defo bear it in mind for the next tennant though

Without an inventory you will have to return the entire deposit at the end of the tenancy, regardless of the condition of the property. Is the damage deposit lodged with one of the three schemes? Have you considered joining a landlord's association and attending some of their workshops? You would get access to an inventory template for a start. Have you got consent to lease from your lender and landlords insurance?

Crap_with_money.com

Drodough wrote: »

OP said it was the small room- some carpet shops do roll ends/ cut offs very cheaply. Did our spare room for £10 with foam backed off cut from carpet right . So that's another option

Thanks Drodough - my mum actually suggested that last night, and I think that's the option we'll go for.

Like others have said we do want to do the best by the tennant, my only concern was that a fortnight ago the fridge freezer supposedly broke down, so we replaced it without any quibble's as it was quite old. Then got a text to say thanks very much, but could we have a bigger one please (even although it was the same size as the one that had broken down), and despite the fact that we had painted the full flat before the tennant moved in, he asked within a fortnight if we would redecorate for them. We told them no, and they then asked would it be ok for them to redecorate themselves. We don't have a problem with that as long as they don't do anything more than paint the walls, but when they then asked about the carpet, it's starting to feel a bit like they're swinging the lead. Maybe I'm cynical, but I'm guessing that the old carpet maybe doesn't match with whatever colour they've decided to paint the room.

We'll replace the carpet as a goodwill gesture, (especially since it looks as though we might be able to get a cheap one!) but we'll obviously make it clear from here on in that we won't be making any more cosmetic changes.

Thank you everybody for your replies!

Crap_with_money.com

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Without an inventory you will have to return the entire deposit at the end of the tenancy, regardless of the condition of the property. Is the damage deposit lodged with one of the three schemes? Have you considered joining a landlord's association and attending some of their workshops? You would get access to an inventory template for a start. Have you got consent to lease from your lender and landlords insurance?

He does have consent from the lender, and also landlords insurance. As well as the gas certificate's etc that he was advised to get, and some other safety checks (don't know what they're called, but as the flat's near to a uni he had assumed it was likely to be students letting the flat and got everything necessary to accomodate that - it is a professional person and his family in the flat though).

The deposit is not lodged with anyone (starting to feel a bit niave!), and he hasn't joined a landlords association as we didn't know such a thing existed - I'll definitely look into that though. Thank-you again firefox!

poppysarah

You need to inspect the carpet before making a decision.
If the room has got damp then it might smell. But for it to smell of wee it normally needs wee to be added. If the floorboards have been previously peed on and they've got wet you'll find the smell can re-occur.

Fire_Fox

Crap_with_money.com wrote: »

T
Maybe I'm cynical, but I'm guessing that the old carpet maybe doesn't match with whatever colour they've decided to paint the room.

We'll replace the carpet as a goodwill gesture, (especially since it looks as though we might be able to get a cheap one!) but we'll obviously make it clear from here on in that we won't be making any more cosmetic changes.

Thank you everybody for your replies!

I hope this is not what it sounds, professional tenant meets amateur landlord ... what credit checks and referencing was carried out before you took this tenant on? Have you considered a letting agent would be cheaper than keep acquiescing to this tenants demands? This is not about goodwill, you have NO inventory so the tenant can trash the place and there is no comeback.

Crap_with_money.com wrote: »

The deposit is not lodged with anyone (starting to feel a bit niave!), and he hasn't joined a landlords association as we didn't know such a thing existed - I'll definitely look into that though. Thank-you again firefox!

At present you are breaking the law, the tenant could take your partner to court for three times the deposit. Are you keeping proper records for the inland revenue?

Hopejack

As FF has said, you need to get their deposit into a scheme quick smart. If they are a 'professional' tenant and it seems to be heading that way, then you need to cover yourselves asap. Sadly, no inventory = huge liability when they move out.

I was a LL until recently and learned so much from coming on here. I wish I had joined the Landlord's Association - from what I can gather it is very, very helpful. And I was letting via an agent who turned out to be an idiot who did me no favours at all Still, at least he protected the deposit!

Hope you get sorted - it's a minefield but it is essntial you read up about the legislation and other factors - if only to stay on the right side of the law which currently you are not.

snapping_crocodile

I hope you didn't give in and buy them a bigger fridge freezer :eek: ? If you decide to replace the carpet after examing it then replace it with a similar colour and see if they ask for a different one It does sound like they are playing on your good inexperienced nature....but as others have said you do need to lodge that deposit very quickly so they cant sue you

sequence

I get the feeling this is not going to end well! As it stands the tenant could remove everything including the plasterboard, copper pipes, wires, floor boards, and sell them. Theres not a thing you could do about it either.

Crap_with_money.com

snapping_crocodile wrote: »

I hope you didn't give in and buy them a bigger fridge freezer :eek: ? If you decide to replace the carpet after examing it then replace it with a similar colour and see if they ask for a different one It does sound like they are playing on your good inexperienced nature....but as others have said you do need to lodge that deposit very quickly so they cant sue you

Thanks snapping crocodile! No, we didn't buy a bigger fridge freezer, the one they got was more than big enough to accomodate the size of the flat. My OH had a look at the carpet, and will replace it too - he said there was a faint smell from a small patch of it, so he'll get it replaced for now and take it from there.

Thanks all for the advice, we'll take everything you've said on board and look into the landlords association etc..