A few questions please?

sarah_2002_84

Hi everyone :wave: new here so please be gentle, I couldn't find what I need in search and it is opinions I am hoping for as well as facts etc.

Basically, we have been renting a property for 2 years in June and have just been asked by estate agent if we want to continue. We have considered this question and decided to find somewhere bigger (new baby and toddler with no real backgarden) and found a LOT bigger house for £50 per month more in a lovely area. My questions are this-

The house we are in I managed to burn the living room carpet with iron. Landlady knows about it and said we'd talk about it when we come to move out but at the moment not bothered, I called house insurance and they said they wouldn't cover it as it isn't our carpet . We have paid the bond (its gone into the scheme) and I wonder what will happen in this case? How much bond realistically will be taken? We have been very good tennants (appart from carpet!) and have fixed anything we broke, the only other thing is some marks on walls which are very easily sorted.

The new house is very dated, the estate agent said she has told the landlord she will not rent it in its current state and she wants the kitchen and bathroom redone and walls painted and carpets cleaned (previous occupant had a dog and house smells) so this is all ok, the boiler is very old and windows are old double glazing but all useable. The estate agent said if we are interested she will check with the landlord what exactly he will get done before we move in and let me know tomorrow, and if we want to take on replacing carpets and redecorating eventually they will probably allow a drop of rent by £50 per month. Which will be the same as we pay now. What tips can anyone give here? Obviously we are going to wait for the estate agent to confirm this before we say we will go ahead, but if we agree to decorate for £50 per month less rent, what falls on our head with regards to costs that appear during work? IE we take wallpaper off and the plaster all falls off with it?

Also the new house has polystyrene ceiling tiles in living room (which has old gas fire - The type with a wooden surround and metal bars on front, not sure how else to describe it tbh), the bedrooms but I dont think the kitchen. What are the 'rules' on these? baring in mind I have two small children, are they dangerous? I was told by the estate agent that they will make sure the tiles are 'fire proofed' but is that even possible? She also said she wouldnt like to ask the landlord to replace them because she dreads to think whats behind them :eek: should I add this to one of the 'before we move in's'?

I feel as though if we ask too much we may lose the property which is otherwise perfect and the rent is very low for the perfect area and size of house so I need some advice please so we get the best result. I have thought of offering a long tennancy to help our case as well (maybe 3 years) as the estate agent said the landlord wants a long term tennant (which we will be).

Thanks for reading this far! I know its a bit of a long post

clutton_2

if you iron a carpet that is damage and the landlord is entitled to claim off you for it... the amount will depend on how old the carpet is....

was an inventory done when you moved in - which both you and LL/LA signed.

polystyrene tiles are not illegal but i always take them down when i buy a new property... but you can bring bits of ceiling down if you do, it depends on the age of the ceiling plaster.

as long as all gas appliances and the boiler have a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate then you should not worry about the fire, but, if i had kids i would get a large fire guard and screw it to the fire surround or wall.

re decorating - i think you will have to come to an agreement with the landlord before you start.

you can tell if plaster is loose by tapping the walls... it will sound hollow if it is not attached fully to the wall - take great care in these areas..

as a LL i never give a new tenant more than 6 months Agreement first off, just in case they turn into the tenant from hell.....

When does your current fixed term expire ?

sarah_2002_84

clutton wrote: »

if you iron a carpet that is damage and the landlord is entitled to claim off you for it... the amount will depend on how old the carpet is....

was an inventory done when you moved in - which both you and LL/LA signed.

polystyrene tiles are not illegal but i always take them down when i buy a new property... but you can bring bits of ceiling down if you do, it depends on the age of the ceiling plaster.

as long as all gas appliances and the boiler have a Landlords Gas Safety Certificate then you should not worry about the fire, but, if i had kids i would get a large fire guard and screw it to the fire surround or wall.

re decorating - i think you will have to come to an agreement with the landlord before you start.

you can tell if plaster is loose by tapping the walls... it will sound hollow if it is not attached fully to the wall - take great care in these areas..

as a LL i never give a new tenant more than 6 months Agreement first off, just in case they turn into the tenant from hell.....

When does your current fixed term expire ?

The carpet is fairly new but the cheapest you can buy. The room is faily large as well as a LL would you personally claim? I guess I would so can't expect anything less...
The inventory was signed yes, Fire guard is a good idea will definitely do that. I was a bit more worried about if there is a fire are the tiles a big risk? should I request them to be taken down?
Our current tennacy ends the end of June (which I did say to the estate agent gives the LL time to replace kitchen etc? ).

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Manual_Reversion

sarah_2002_84 wrote: »

the estate agent said she has told the landlord she will not rent it in its current state and she wants the kitchen and bathroom redone and walls painted and carpets cleaned (previous occupant had a dog and house smells) so this is all ok, the boiler is very old and windows are old double glazing but all useable.

So the letting agent is telling you that he/she will force the landlord/lady to replace the two most expensive rooms in the house just to let it?

I'd look for something else if I were you. It won't happen.

All the best.

sarah_2002_84

Manual_Reversion wrote: »

So the letting agent is telling you that he/she will force the landlord/lady to replace the two most expensive rooms in the house just to let it?

I'd look for something else if I were you. It won't happen.

All the best.

Thanks for your honesty, we'll see what they say tomorrow I suppose.

G_M

But if it does happen, make sure any re-decorating/changes you make are not just agreed by the LL but are agreed IN WRITING.

Same with the movingin contract. Get in writing whatever the LL agrees to do before you sign/hand over deposit etc. You don't want to move in and then be back here in a few months asking what to do about a LL who said he'd re-fit the kitchen but hasn't......

clutton_2

dont forget you are contracted to pay rent at your current place till the end of june....