Decorating rental properties - who does it?

Gorgeous_George

Prompted by posts on another thread I thought I'd seek opinion on who should decorate during the tenancy period. I am assuming that the property was in good condition at the start of the tenancy.

So, who is responsible for decor?

If it's the landlord, how often?



GG

silvercar

Landlord decorates before tenancy, tenant during tenancy.

If the tenancy went on for 5+ years, landlord could pay for redecoration.

Tennat needs to return the property in same condition less wear and tear, so odd coloured rooms painted by tenants would cause a problem.

Guy_Montag

I would say, if you have a long term tenant, I would come to an agreement, where if they want to redecorate, you pay for the materials & they provide the labour - obviously this isn't going to cover a major upgrade, like a new bathroom or kitchen, but seems fair for painting & wallpaper.

I'd say one room a year is fair, maybe two small ones & that you & your tenant should come to an agreement about colours & so forth.

One of the things I find most depressing about renting is having to live in a painfully magnolia flat. The point of neutral colours is that a prospective buyer can look on the place as a blank canvas for their own ideas, but since I can't impose my own ideas on the place I live, it's just bland.

Doozergirl

I'd agree with the landlord paying fo rthe paint and the tenant providing labour and a sensible agreement on colour.

I've had to live with magnolia for so long now that I've learned to provide colour with the soft furnishings.

Jonesya

I'd say that if the redecoration is being done because the tenant wants a change of colour/style then all costs should be covered by the tenant.

If redecoration is required because of deterioration as the result of fair wear and tear then the landlord should cover all costs and provide the labour.

Gorgeous_George

Anybody know what councils and housing associations do?



GG

lynzpower

I know.

Coucils and HAs do nothing. If you are lucky you might get a grant ( up to 150) when you move in. However, major works such as kitchens & bathrooms are provided ( as are double galzing etc) included in major works. Additionally, one has significantly more recourse if in the course of a tenancy the property stoped recieving hot water for example. Weeks on end with no hot water generally doesnt happen in LA/Ha properties.

In terms of private lettings I dont think that the tenant SHOULD do anything really, although, I will say Ive never had a long tenancy only ever stayed for a year anywhere.

My understanding is you return the property to how you found it. If I repainted this house in magnolia over the mag thats already here, Id be breaking that rule- wouldnt I? Cos it would not be returned how it was given.

My LA seems to be equally as unsure as you GG, as she said we can "do wahtever you like to the house" but then refuses to put this in writing. Therefore, the cynic in me suggests that this is because they would want to withold deposit monies if we did so.

kingkano

If the tenant provides the labour and does a shoddy job (drips paint on the carpet for example or doesnt cut in at all) what recourse exactly would you have??

lynzpower

I think also that the LL should provide a tin of paint in case you accidentally scuff a corner and you can touch it up with the right colour.

I also think that LLs should not be able to dictate you are not allowed to put pictures up, i personally think that does clash with "quiet enjoyment". I have heard hororr stories on here of people being charged 100 quid for a tiny hole in the wall where a picture has been put up. Just does not seem "reasonable" At all.

lynzpower

kingkano wrote: »

If the tenant provides the labour and does a shoddy job (drips paint on the carpet for example or doesnt cut in at all) what recourse exactly would you have??

the LL can deduct from the deposit for damage

kingkano

lynzpower wrote: »

the LL can deduct from the deposit for damage

Think of that from the tenants view now. They might never have done any painting before. Why should they provide labour if they dont know what they are doing? Never realising the whole while that 1 drip of paint and their LL will keep the deposit....

This is basically why its rare that these kind of deals happen. Tenants don't trust LL and vice-versa. Instead tenants live in a magnolia prison.