Flipping Nightmare!

slickdt

Hi guys,

Been renting now for a year and everything has been going ok. We pay our rent by DD every month and would describe ourselves as ideal tennants really.

A few months back I mentioned to our landlord that we fancied replacing the exsisting carpet in the living room for laminate flooring (all at our own cost). He seemed fine about it and never really mentioned it again.

After a bit of research on the floor (it's an old cottage) it wasn't suitable for wooden flooring, so we decided a new carpet would be much better. They had put down a very cheap beige carpet (£4.99m2) and never bothered putting underlay down. Its wearing already as it's laid straight on to concrete flooring, so very hard and cold on the feet.

The other day while out we saw a brillaint deal on a carpet where it was originally £16.99m2 and with discount was now £11.50m2. We were well chuffed and ordered it straight away (The room is 30m2- BIG ROOM).

We wanted to make it formal leting our landlords (three siblings) know we were planning on changing the carpet and going to put good quality underlay down aswell by letter. We also said we would keep the carpet there after they move and expect no compensation.

To our shock one of them came over this weekend and told us they had decided we were not allowed to change the carpet as they wanted the same carpet in every room! £350 WASTED!!

I can't understand how they would come to this decision. The carpet is much better quality, much nicer to look at and they would be getting underlay laid into the house for the bargain.

Just want it confirmed I don't have a leg to stand on.

Sammy85_2

Just want it confirmed I don't have a leg to stand on.

Unless you had it in writing when you first mentioned replacing the carpet?

slickdt

Sammy85 wrote: »

Unless you had it in writing when you first mentioned replacing the carpet?

Nope afraid not!

Sammy85_2

Then i fear you have no comeback.

Cant you cancel the carpet? Im assuming it hasnt been delivered yet?

[Deleted User]

move. They don`t deserve you

pimento

kittie wrote: »

move. They don`t deserve you

I agree with Kittie. There really is nowt stranger than folk.

Unless you've ordered a nice flowery patterned carpet?

sequence

Just lay the carpet on top of the old carpet, nothing they can do then . Doors might not open though ...

princeofpounds

Then put a formal written request in to change the carpet at their expense, if it is physically wearing down to the concrete (as this is more than cosmetic). Take and enclose photos. Landlords still have a duty to keep things in good repair.

If they do not repair, then you can use the procedure under Lee Parker vs Izzet 1971 to repair at your own expense and reclaim from future rent. But you must get quotes (following the procedure is critical) and you must do as like for like as possible, so it's not a perfect solution. Plus they might take you to court at the end of the tenancy and whilst you will win if you make this your defense it's a bit of a pain.

However, this is a slightly antagonistic way of proceeding but you are fully within your rights.

To be honest, your best bet is probably to go back to them, point out that they have a duty to keep the house in good repair and that they are perfectly welcome to have their preferred solution, but that this carpet is free if they choose to use it.

shellsuit

sequence wrote: »

Just lay the carpet on top of the old carpet, nothing they can do then . Doors might not open though ...

I'd go with this.

Have it laid on top of the carpet that is already there, and just take it when you go ~ they won't ever know.

zzzLazyDaisy

Provided you keep the existing carpet and have it replaced when you leave, there should be no problem. You would have the extra expense of taking the new carpet up and having the old one re-fitted but at least it would mean that you would have your carpet for your new house, or you could possibly sell it to cover the cost of the re-fitting?

clutton_2

taking carpets up and storing them rolled up in a roof space and then trying to refit them never ever works.... put the new one on top if you can.. but as others have said the doors may not then shut...