Rented property - replacing kitchen

abby1234519

I know this might sound silly but are there any "legal" requirements with regards to replacing kitchens in a rented property?

I live in a rented property, the house is generally fine, boiler is pretty new I think (or at least in good nick). We like the house so we are very cautious about annoying Reeds Rains, we had to get them to replace the hall way carpet as it was threadbare and stained with dog wee but what I mean is we don't want to be demanding tenants. We paid to replace the bright pink bedroom carpet and the bathroom carpet as it smelt of wee. We've only lived there since March last year however we love the house's location as its perfect for OH work and nursery as well.

The issue is that the kitchen is past its best, the previous tenant had a dog without permission and the lino on the floor is torn in several places, OH tripped on it so I just sprayed some adhesive on the floor and its not come back up. Its so old that it looks dirty even after cleaning. Not only is there the lino, but also there are chunks of doors missing on the surface so the chipboard (?) is showing through and OH got a giant splinter last week, he's still nursing his wounds! The plinth is so swollen from water that its expanded and bits of chipboard sticking out. The pelmet at the bottom of the base unit doors keeps dropping off, previous tenants have stuck it back on with blue tack. The worktops are uneven and between the sink and window the worktop has dipped slightly as water gets on it quite a lot. There is some odd sealant strip running round the join of the worktop and the wall, this has come away near the sink run so water drops down the back. Also the overflow in the sink is lose so water can be an issue there. Finally the monstrosity of a bronze cooker hood was a dark green when we moved in, I thought it was meant to be that colour!!! Nope, its bronze after weeks of cleaning...doesn't even work. The worktops are postformed so at the front they curve/roll down, wherre the curve stops and the straight underneath starts the surface has stared to peel away, this also didn't bother me until my 2 year old cut his finger trying to get his drink off the top.

I work for a kitchen company who install kitchens into some of the main house builders around the country, so not only can I get a decent kitchen designed for free, I can also get it at 70% discount (from retail prices). I also can get labour to install as my job is managing the installation of kitchens. So a new kitchen would probably cost less than £1000 including installation even less if I went for the basic range we offer. Does the above issues sound like the landlord should replace the kitchen or am I being dramatic. I am not bothered about aesthetics, if it works it doesn't need to look pretty. However I just am paranoid that my landlord would serve notice! My other half doesn't want to move which is why we haven't brought the kitchen issue up yet, I don't want to be a nagging tenant.

Halle71

Do you want to come and rent from us? :rotfl:

You probably don't have any legal right for a new kitchen, after all the current one is functional (although I may be wrong because of the couple of accidents that your family have had), but I think there is probably a moral one - especially if the rent does not reflect the state of the kitchen.
If you could get it done for this price I would be surprised if the landlord doesn't bite your hand off - if you were my tenant I certainly would. After all, a good kitchen would last for 10 years plus.

19lottie82

Yes the kitchen sounds pretty disgusting, but there is no legal requirements for it to be repaired or upgraded.

If I were you I'd put your low cost proposition to the LL and see what they say. If they say no, I'd start looking for somewhere else as soon as your lease is up?

PS if you make any changes make sure you get permission from the LL in writing.

silvercar

I assume you inspected before deciding on this property, so were aware of the kitchen defects. Does the rent reflect the state of the property?

No harm in asking, especially if you are prepared to pass on the big discount.

ConfusedofYorkshire

I would imagine the landlord would be delighted. After all, he'd benefit in the long run.

Please can I have a kitchen too?

G_M

Do not install this kitchen without written permission from the landlord.

Having said that, any sensible LL would bite your hand off in his enthusiasm to benefit like this.

Put your proposal to him - perhaps face-to-face next time he comes round to do an inspection?

Of course, he may be strapped for cash and not want to spend even on a bargain. You can but ask.

cattie

No there is no legislation requiring landlords to update kitchens.

The flat I now own was rented for quite a few years before I bought it last year & the kitchen I inherited sounds even worse than yours does. I bought knowing I fully intended to update the whole place but was shocked that previous owners had rented property out in a really quite bad state, dreadfully stained carpets etc.

As the house & the kitchen were no doubt in a similar state to what it is now, the landlord could take the view that you knew exactly what the kitchen was like before taking on the flat & that if you weren't happy then you could have looked for another property. It is extremely unlikely that he will want to update the kitchen at this point, especially if the property is still able to attract tenants.

However, you've got nothing to lose by asking about a kitchen upgrade, but I think I might be wary of trying to push a company I work for/with as a sort of bait. If landlord did agree to do something about kitchen, then would be the time to mention your connection to the kitchen fitting world.

abby1234519

Halle71 wrote: »

Do you want to come and rent from us? :rotfl:

Depends where :P

Halle71 wrote: »

You probably don't have any legal right for a new kitchen, after all the current one is functional (although I may be wrong because of the couple of accidents that your family have had), but I think there is probably a moral one - especially if the rent does not reflect the state of the kitchen.

The rent does reflect the state of the kitchen....that is the problem.

I live in Harrogate, average rent is about £150-£200 per month more than what we are currently paying for a 3 bed (£600). I believe our rent is so low because the landlord just wants the property constantly occupied and there are things like no heating upstairs (doesn't bother me, I've got 3 hot water bottles!!!) also a pretty darn shabby kitchen.

Thats why I am nervous about asking for a new kitchen. We were supposed to sign another 12 month AST but I didn't actually bother so currently am on a rolling contract. If I look for a new house then my rent will 100% increase by at least £100 per month for a similar size house. In fact £600 would get a tiny 2 bed and we like our space.

So I really don't know what to do! I mean there is no harm in asking but I don't want a rent increase either.

Twisted_Cherry

OP will you pay for mine as well!

ConfusedofYorkshire

I asked first !

AdrianC

Halle71 wrote: »

Do you want to come and rent from us? :rotfl:

When you've finished with 'em, can you pass 'em this way, please?

OP - you freely chose to move in to the place with full knowledge of the state of the carpets/kitchen etc. So, no, you've not got any "right".

BUT all you can do is ask. The landlord would be daft not to at least listen, imho. Of course, you don't know his plans for the place. As you say, he's renting it at a low rent BECAUSE of the state of it. Would you be happy for the rent to then be raised?