Am I doing the right thing?

Homeagain

I have finally managed to get a small house at a reasonable rent and so far we are very happy. However, the Landlord agreed to a lower rental if we would paint etc. We have done as much as we can (i.e. my 16 year old daughter and I) and are glad the place is turning in to our cosy little home. However, the carpets in the bedrooms (2) and stairs and hallways are really awful, old and stained etc. So much so that there is a slight musty smell to these areas. I have had a rough quote to replace them which is about 500.00 which I could put on my rarely used credit card. Most people are saying that 'its not your house, why spend your money etc etc) but I feel that its my HOME - I really don't know whether I should do this or not though. I would welcome your opinions.

Lifeforms

Just be very wary about improving property so much that the landlord claps his hands with glee and then gives you a two month notice to get out.

Basically paint etc is cheap, carpeting is not, and you simply cannot take it with you, unless you wish to keep the old carpet stored properly to replace upon exiting.

You can make it as much as your home as you like, but you cannot take the home with you at the end.

BitterAndTwisted

How long is your tenancy agreement for? If it's not for 12 or 24 months I would be wary of spending my hard-earned just to receive notice so the landlord could let at a higher rent.

Have you considered asking the landlord to go 50/50?

To be honest I'd consider hiring a Rug-Doctor to see if that would get rid of the musty smell first before spending any money on replacing them.

Homeagain

My tenancy is for a year and I don't think that cleaning the carpets would help as they are badly worn in places. It really spoils all that we have done. The LL lives quite far away so I don't think he will be paying too many visits. The house was in very poor condition when we moved - yellow and orange paint all over, no light shades, old and very very dirty oven - so we have done a lot really. The property is managed by an estate agent who apparently inspect every three months. I had thought of the 50/50 option but get the feeling that I won't be successful (I think they have sort of washed their hands over this place). In fairness there is a lovely garden (the EA send a gardener twice a month to mow the lawn etc) but I just don't know .....

Homeagain

Lifeforms wrote: »

Just be very wary about improving property so much that the landlord claps his hands with glee and then gives you a two month notice to get out.

Basically paint etc is cheap, carpeting is not, and you simply cannot take it with you, unless you wish to keep the old carpet stored properly to replace upon exiting.

You can make it as much as your home as you like, but you cannot take the home with you at the end.

You are right but I have the feeling that the carpets will disintegrate once pulled out anyway!

BitterAndTwisted

From what you have described either the landlord is unwlling to spend any money on the place or s/he just does not have it. And that is why they chose to let at a reduced rent.

You have to balance the cost of the carpeting against the possibility of being given notice at the end of your fixed-term. This could be very tempting to a landlord who couldn't get a reasonable rent based on the state of the place versus the improvements you are choosing to do free-of-charge.

No-one can predict the future for you, so you have to weigh up the possibility of having to finance a move in a year's time and whether that £500 is worth the personal comfort to you for only a year's tenancy.

Here's a thought: why not consider trying to renegotiate a much longer tenancy (like two or three years) at your current rent in return for you financing the new carpeting?

monty-doggy

I am leaving a house that sounds exactly as you describe. I took it on a lower rent and I decorated, plastered over holes in walls, painted, Laura Ashley wallpaper, did the garden, made it beautiful.

I thought I'd found my forever home.

LL put it up for sale two months ago assuring me its being sold as a rental investment.

The new buyer has told me they plan to live in it themselves and issue me section 21 upon completion.

Not happy at all but I'm buying my next place so I know it won't happen again!

kelpie35

OP have you tried ebay for carpets. They are very good quality and you can get a fitter really cheap.

I was quoted over £1000 for fitted carpets and then bought the same quality off ebay for just under £300 and managed to get a fitter from adverts on facebook who did the job for £50. Worth a try I think.

I do understand what you mean about trying to make it a cosy wee home. Good luck.

Homeagain

Thank you for your reply BitterAndTwisted, I think the idea of re-negotiating a longer rental period is an excellent idea! I think I should try that first. I would never have thought of it.:beer:

Homeagain

kelpie35 wrote: »

OP have you tried ebay for carpets. They are very good quality and you can get a fitter really cheap.

I was quoted over £1000 for fitted carpets and then bought the same quality off ebay for just under £300 and managed to get a fitter from adverts on facebook who did the job for £50. Worth a try I think.

I do understand what you mean about trying to make it a cosy wee home. Good luck.

Thank you so much, another excellent idea - will be looking at ebay now. I think there is a carpet fitter on FB in this area too - or at least I can find out.

thedalmeny

I've rented for 11 years (Ages of 18-29), in that time i've lived in 6 houses in different areas of the country.

In all that time i've learnt one very common truth about landlords... No matter how nice they are (And i've had a few really nice ones), how well maintained you keep their home or timely you are with the rent... Not one of them wouldn't screw you over a little bit if it results in a meaningful profit for them personally. Frankly, who can blame them.. Their entire life resolves around yield and potential long term profit due to property value increases.

I'd never replace carpets in a rented house, forget the risk of eviction i'd be more concerned that come tenancy renewal they'd take advantage of my investment in the property and increase rent. It would be a clear indication that i love living in the property and when faced with what i may view as an unreasonable rise in rent i'd simply take it than move out.

I look forward to moving into our first home personally owned home in 2-3 months, a large 4 bedroom detached new build. Perfect for me, wife and son for many years to come.