Am I doing the right thing?

JencParker

Do you know if the floor boards are in good condition?
What about asking the landlord if you can take the carpets up and buy some rugs.

Another option is to keep an eye open on freecycle. I found some great nearly new carpets which were enough for two bedrooms a few years ago.

phoebe1989seb

I second the opinion that looking on Freecycle or eBay is definitely worth a shot......

We're renovating a period house and won't be ready to lay proper, good quality, permanent flooring in much of it for several years, but the stair carpet fitted by the previous owner in 1991 was getting dangerous with its worn, threadbare patches.

We wanted something that looked good, but didn't cost a fortune as we know it'll be replaced further down the line. I searched eBay and found a used (but excellent condition) length of Roger Oates flat weave carpet runner that would retail for £700-£800 for the same size for under £80.......it looks so lovely fitted I now don't want to replace it

Of course one issue with eBay/Freecycle is you'd most likely need to collect it yourself and a bulky carpet will need a fair sized vehicle

katejo

monty-doggy wrote: »

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!

In your position I would be tempted to refuse payment of part of the rent for the last months on the grounds that the improvements have been done at your expense and that he is going to benefit from that in the sale.

spark_deals

Homeagain wrote: »

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.

The house we moved into was sortof the same example.
My LL agreed that I can do whatever, yes, whatever I like to make the house comfy. ( got 2 kids). Painted, got new carpets, few shelves (holes) here and there. He agreed and I bought new cooker. Mowed the garden few times for us.
Rear garden was full of spinach/ vegs.. Dug it and laid to lawn.
I've always deducted from rent the costs ( free labour, of course).
He recently bought a lawn mower for us/ property, saying his house is all concreted over and had to ask his cousin for lawn mower. I joked that still he has to mow the garden, which he duly did.
.
,
,
It all boils down to intentions of the LL.
HTH

PS. Gestimate the total expense, divide by twelve and ask LL to reduce the rent by that much amount, ( free labour..of course).
Spark

bouicca21

I'd be very wary about improving a rented place for the reasons pointed out above. But I'd also be asking myself 'why does it smell musty?' Is there an underlying damp problem?

My rented flat looked spartan, so I bought some very nice secondhand rugs off ebay. Cheap and portable.

seven-day-weekend

Why not just cover the carpet up with some nice rugs which you can take with you?

Homeagain

I have put some lovely rugs here and there but it doesn't help along the stairs and only partly hides the awful state of the carpets in general. However I have had so many ideas off you all that I'm going to try all of them first. Just had a quote 546.00 . I will email the agents and suggest a 50/50/ a monthly reduction in the rent/new lease I think although I am a little nervous to do this. I would hate to have to leave here now.
If I were to use ebay I have no idea how much carpet I should buy and how I would measure the carpet area. Can anyone give me some advice on that too, sorry to ask so much.