Renting - Decorating & others questions

nat6284

Afternoon All,

I have a few questions which I'd like suggestions for please.

1. We have been renting now for 2 years and due to renew in a few months. 1 of the bedrooms needs re-decorating as the paint is actually flaking (and has been gradually getting worse since we moved in). The landlord has said that he will only pay for the paint and not the labour required for doing this, myself and my partner work so would need to pay someone to do this for us? Could anybody advise the legal requirements of the landlord regarding decorating/maintenance?

2. Our original rent has gone up 2.5% since we moved in and the rental agents have suggested that the landlord is looking to put the rent up again? My question - is there a legal limit they can put it up and do we have a right to refuse the increase? (they are also charging us £75 admin fee for renewal paperwork).

And finally..
3. If we were thinking about buying the property (we know the LL is looking to sell eventually), how would we go about putting this question to him. Would we go via the agents or direct to him?

Many Many Thanks in advance

Nat

BitterAndTwisted

nat6284 wrote: »

Afternoon All,

I have a few questions which I'd like suggestions for please.

1. We have been renting now for 2 years and due to renew in a few months. 1 of the bedrooms needs re-decorating as the paint is actually flaking (and has been gradually getting worse since we moved in). The landlord has said that he will only pay for the paint and not the labour required for doing this, myself and my partner work so would need to pay someone to do this for us? Could anybody advise the legal requirements of the landlord regarding decorating/maintenance?

You landlord has no legal requirement to have decoration carried out or to provide the paint for you to do it.




2. Our original rent has gone up 2.5% since we moved in and the rental agents have suggested that the landlord is looking to put the rent up again? My question - is there a legal limit they can put it up and do we have a right to refuse the increase? (they are also charging us £75 admin fee for renewal paperwork).

No, there's no legal limit but it has to be by mutual agreement, or the landlord issues you with a Section 13 Notice. If you don't want to pay the increase and your landlord is intent on receiving a higher rent your choice is to threaten to leave or actually to do it. Have you checked what comparable properties are renting for in the same neighbourhood?

If you don't want to pay thin £75 "renewal fee" you could choose not to renew and go on to a periodic tenancy but your landlord might want the comfort of having you tied up to a new fixed-term. Being on a periodic tenancy risks you being given two rental period's notice with no absolutely recourse to dispute it if the notice has been correctly served.

And finally..
3. If we were thinking about buying the property (we know the LL is looking to sell eventually), how would we go about putting this question to him. Would we go via the agents or direct to him?

I would approach the landlord directly. Given what we all know about letting-agents there's fairly strong chance they would try to claim an "introductory fee" just like they would if the property had been offered for sale on the open market.