Landlords: What is your opinion?

ashton46

Calling any landlords out there!

I am new to this renting game and currently rent a property, which is managed through an Estate Agent. I have been there for 4 of the initial 12 month tenancy. Having met the landlord I think (touch wood) that she is open to longer term tenancy come renewal time next June - probably 2 years.

At this stage, I was hoping to ask her to contribute to new carpets. 50/50 split. (the carpet's are very old and starting to look their age). Nothing extravagant or expensive, but they need replacing.

If one of your tenant's came to you with this question, what would you say? I don't want to ask this question if I'm going to laughed out of the door, so to speak.

I'd be very interested to know how landlords deal with such enquiries. And indeed, anyone who also rents and may have asked this type of question before.

Thanks in advance.

lvm

I'd personally think it quite strange that a tenant with only 2 years secure tenancy would want to share such an expense.

But I'd grab the offer with both hands.

Do your research first and price up some reasonably good quality carpets so landlord knows the cost.

ashton46

Thanks for the reply.

So you think I'm quite within my rights to be asking for the landlord to cover the entire cost?

TheFactory

I am a landlord and my answer is different for different scenarios.

If the carpets were in good condition when you moved in then I would refuse to pay anything towards it.

If they are worn then I would bite your hand off, however I personally would of replaced them if they were worn before you moved in.

Because they haven't been replaced im assuming the LL thinks they are acceptable. Was an inventory done when you moved in? If so what does that say about the condition of the carpets?

thick_tom

they tend to squeeze you for as much as they can legally get away with.

gallygirl

Is the property furnished or unfurnished?

I let unfurnished but have gone 50:50 with tenants on flooring a few times. If they want to spend money on the property it indicates long-term commitment which is what I'm after. Also suggests you care about the property which is also good. However, if they're that bad I'd probably have changed already so yours may not really care.

ognum

What happens to the carpets if you leave or are asked to leave?

One of my tenants has asked to put in a dishwasher at her expence into a cupboard space in a kitchen. I have agreed but said it is her responsibility to return it to how it is before she installed when she leaves. In truth I will probably either buy it from her or install one myself if/when she leaves.

One thing to consider though is will the house command more rent with new carpets? Once in you may get a request for more rent so I would also try to negotiate a rent fix for x years at the same time.

I would be happy to buy new carpets, I would not expect the tenant to pay but would be pleased if they did!

ashton46

Hi, yes an inventory was done. And it states the carpets had some wear at the entrance into the room question.

The carpet had not been professionally fitted with small pieces of carpet cut out to fill gaps where it fell short of the wall. That said, not all of the carpet is worn.

If it was my house and I wasn't renting, I would have replaced it, it needs replacing. When we moved in, the house was hot property with 19 enquiries in the first day it was advertised. It crossed my mind to ask for them to be replaced before moving in but I thought that may jeopardize my chances of getting the house.

I do appreciate how me now asking for them replacing a few months later may sound, hence the offer of 50/50 split on the cost.

I had an inspection by the Estate Agent last week and she agreed the carpets are old, so it's not just me trying to get them replaced for no reason. I do genuinely believe that should be replaced.

ashton46

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Gallygirl: It was unfurnished. The landlord is a teacher at my sons school and we get on really well. We love the house and want to stay there for years (I'd sign a 5 year tenancy in a heart beat!). We're don't want to do anything to hinder our chances of living there and don't want to be seen as problem tenants. We've already painted one of the rooms (with her permission) and paid for that ourselves as the condition of the decorating was fine, just not to our taste. We just feel the carpets are a slightly different matter.

Ognum: Our intention is to stay there for many years. So I'm hoping the question of what happens to the carpets won't really be an issue. And frankly, if I took them with me in the future at a point if/when I move out, the hassle of storing the current carpet and putting it back isn;t worth it. I'd just leave the carpet.

ashton46

TheFactory wrote: »

Was an inventory done when you moved in? If so what does that say about the condition of the carpets?

Morning,

I just wanted to come back to this point regarding the Inventory. I couldn't exactly recall what it said so I checked last night. This is what it said regarding the carpet:

"Furniture Indent marks, heavy staining in places, grubby. 7 burn marks in front of fireplace [room has an open fire]"

With this in mind, surely I have some grounds to ask for a contribution, if not all of the cost?

Thanks

harrys_dad

Why? You knew the condition of the carpet when you moved in just 4 months ago. Did you say at the time you found it unacceptable?