Tenant Improvements

The_Pixi

MamaMoo wrote: »

I'd be tempted to write a letter to them such as

Dear Mr & Mrs X,
Following your recent inspection I have been informed that you have proceeded to carry out alterations to the property despite having your request to do so declined.
I will therefore not be contributing to the unauthorised works, and would like to remind you that at the end of your tenancy you are required to put the property back into the condition it was in at the commencement of said tenancy. I will therefore expect the carpets you have had removed to be professionally relaid & cleaned if there is any dirt etc. from storage, and I expect all rooms to be restored to their former colour with painting up to a professional standard.
If this is not done satisfactorily, damages will be sought via the DPS (or whatever scheme the deposit is held in) to cover the cost of having this work done.
In future, please put any requests to make alterations in writing.

Kind regards

Mallotum X

To the original standard. Professional, enthusiast, competent DIYer.

Mallotum_X

Permission was asked verbally at the initial viewing of the flat which was turned down verbally.

I may have the terms wrong re the lease, my understanding is that everything was ok at the 3 month inspection, and the tenant asked to extend for 12 months which was agreed at that time (im not sure if it was 12 months from that point or 12 months from the original end point).

If the new carpet and laminate is of a good quality that will last at least as long as the old carpets would have done then my parents do not want to "punish" the tenants into replacing it back to the same as was there before. The old carpets were disposed of so can't be put back. The new lounge carpet is a different colour but from the photo they have seen my parents are indifferent - it was a light beige its now a darker beige.

The tenants also repainted the flat - it would appear a fresh coat of paint - which on initial comments from the agent has been done to a good standard.

My parents main concern is mostly the quality of the work. If it is of a suitable quality then at this point there no real harm done.

However one point I hadn't thought of was to make sure the tenants are clear nothing else can be done without permission in future. I'll make sure that message goes to the agent.

Thanks for all the comments so far.

dimbo61

Your new tenants may stay for the next 4/5 years!
If they have done a good job of replacing the Old worn cheap carpet with new laminate flooring why are you trying to Punish them ?
yes they did not get permission but after they had moved out how old would the carpet have been ? 5 Years or older!
Rent is the main consideration and avoiding VOID periods or losing income.
Your CALL

anotheruser

Leave them to stay in the property but don't contribute to the work done.

AdrianC

Does the lease for the flat say anything about hard floor coverings? Many do, to reduce noise transmission to downstairs neighbours.

If not, then it really is up to you. I would be reluctant to contribute to the cost of this unauthorised work, but - if it's been done to a similar standard to the original carpeting - then I don't think I'd get particularly excited about it. As with any other letting decision, don't let your personal preferences or tastes affect your decision. Many tenants will prefer laminate to carpet.

BigAunty

Is there a dual signed inventory/schedule of condition that the agent arranged?

Without this, a tenant can pretty much do anything they like to the property without repercussions because if the landlord mounts a legal challenge or the deposit deductions are challenged by the tenant, there is no evidence or baseline about the actual condition of the property at the start of the tenancy and therefore no proof of changes.

By gum, the tenants went ahead with work that they were refused permission to undertake and then were bold enough to demand the landlord subsidises it?! It has bad omens for other future authorised changes - not sure why other posters think the landlord ought to be grateful for them.

Is there written proof that the request to change flooring was refused?

paddy's_mum

I'd be more concerned that when the tenants move on (which could be only 12 months away) they lift the carpet and take it away with them on the basis that they bought it and therefore it is theirs to do with as they wish.

What else might they decide, unilaterally, to take to the local tip?

AdrianC

paddy's_mum wrote: »

I'd be more concerned that when the tenants move on (which could be only 12 months away) they lift the carpet and take it away with them on the basis that they bought it and therefore it is theirs to do with as they wish.

So you hit their deposit with it, just as you would if this whole laminate question had never arisen.

As the landlord, you can choose to ignore a difference between check-in and check-out inventory if you wish - and you might do that for the difference in floor covering - or you can choose not to. <shrug>

Kynthia

giddypenguin wrote: »

I'm a getting mixed messages, why no AST (which would provide long term security) but then redecorate? Very strange.

Any proof of them asking permission and it being declined?

I've assumed that the OP means the tenants didn't want to go onto a SPT after the initial 6 month contract and preferred the security of a 12 month AST.

BitterAndTwisted

I'd be more concerned about these tenants doing more unauthorised alterations to the property even if the changes they have made so far are favourable or to a good standard. That really isn't the point. The point is that it might be their home for the moment but it's the landlord's property, and it's the landlord who has control over any changes and not the tenant.

They need to be reminded that no unauthorised alterations are going to be allowed, regardless of whether the tenant believes they are making improvements or not and doing so against the landlord's wishes will put their tenancy at risk. Unless this issue is addressed God only knows what they think they can do next.