Why won't my landlord let me replace kitchen

shell_belle_2

Hi All

I was wondering if any of the landlords could understand why my landlord won't let me replace the kitchen at my expense.

I have rented my property for over 3 years and about a year ago I asked for the kitchen to be replaced she said no. Then about 6 months ago I asked if whe would go halfs and I would pay for installation she said no. then i asked for it to be replace and I would pay and she said no, I just don't understand.

I did say that in all cases that I would leave the kitchen in tact if and when I left the property.

Also I asked if I could change the living room carpet as it is stain and she said no, so I had it cleaned and its not great still.

Would you let your tennant change things in your houses?

I do understand that its her property but its my home.

Peter333

Hmmm, sorry to hear that Shell, but at the end of the day, the property does belong to the landlord, and doing something major like changing the kitchen is something you can't do without her permission. Why would you want to spend money improving someone else's house anyway?!

Seems odd that she won't let you change the carpet though. I mean, you have to put the original one back when you leave. Although maybe she is worried about it getting damaged.

It's looking like you will have to look for somewhere else if you're not happy with the property you're in. Some landlords are very fussy, and want their property leaving as it is. Some won't even let people put pictures up!

Pixie5740

As a tenant I wouldn't go making big changes like replacing a kitchen or carpet in my home, even though it is my home. You could spend hundreds if not thousands of your own money only to be served notice shortly after.

From a landlord's point of view I suppose it's that they don't know what kind of job you're going to do (high standard or botched) or if you're going to choose garish colours that will make the property less appealing to future tenants.

theartfullodger

Your landlord sounds either an idiot or overcautious. Were your offers for carpet & kitchen to be done by reputable companies with guarantees etc??

If a tenant said to me "I'll change the carpet, OK??" I'd only agree if he didn't do it but someone OK did...

In your shoes I'd move.

nidO

As above, assuming you're making clear that your suggestion to put in a new kitchen is subject to her approval of the design and is being fitted by a reputable fitter and that you're planning on paying for the lot, your landlord is either dumb or not understanding the offer properly.

You paying to buy and fit a new kitchen and acknowledging that you'll leave it in place when you leave is pretty much a dream come true for a lot of landlords.
Even if the kitchen isn't an objective upgrade from the current one, any tenant willing to pay for that kind of change to the property is clearly planning on being there long-term, and who wouldn't prefer a nice shiny new kitchen and a long-term happy tenant, over their current not-new kitchen and a tenant that doesn't like it who may therefore be planning on leaving at any time?

martin.cat

Did you enquire as to what the objections were?

The landlord will want something in keeping with the property, to their taste and of a suitable quality
Ther would be implications for the works suck as electric gas etc.
What happens if your LL puts your rent up or gives you notice?

HappyMJ

If a tenant damages the carpet I would expect them to replace it like for like...i.e not self laid with glue super budget carpet but pretty much what I had and in the same colour and style as was already laid.

A full kitchen replacement though it's a very big job. Replacing it could cost you thousands and will the layout be exactly the same? It may not and require me to spend thousands changing it back. It would worry me that you wouldn't get it quite right so I'd say no as well....but then on the other hand I spent just over £1,000 replacing door and drawer fronts, oven, hob, taps and drawer boxes to get another 5-10 years out of the already tired 15 year old kitchen. Apart from the worktops which are still OK and a few tired cabinets which you'll only notice cracking and chipboard expanding in the wrong places only if you look closely it looks quite good now. I wouldn't want to see that money go to waste.

steeeb

The fact the landlord hasn't even contemplated it ie discussed your plans in more details and won't let you replace the carpet with a flat out "no" doesn't really sound great.

If a new kitchen etc. is important simply move - and chances are you can find somewhere with a better kitchen and everything without you have to pay for it.

As others have pointed out, it could be a somewhat dream scenario and is likely you'd therefore be there for the long term. Although there are concerns about quality and design these are easy enough to discuss and put into an agreement so the landlord is covered.

ognum

This is a difficult question. I am a LL and I don't know how I would feel about the tenant changing the kitchen.

It will depend on the quality of the current kitchen and the type of kitchen you want. Who then deals with problems with different appliances or other damage.

How would you then feel if the LL then asks you to leave, will you feel the right to stay in the property until you have had back the value of the kitchen you put in.

I am often surprised by the speed at which people agree to a property and then they move in want a different shower or a new kitchen or new lamp shades etc etc. Why do you not move and rent somewhere with the kitchen you want.

Don't spend your hard earned cash on the LL house.

Pricivius

There could be several good reasons why the LL is saying no:

- What if you agree to install a top-end kitchen with Neff appliances and then install a bog standard kitchen with own-brand appliances? Does the LL sue you? Then LL has to have a written agreement in place to evidence the breach of contract - is it enforceable? Does it need to be drawn up by a solicitor to ensure you are both covered in the event of dispute?

- What if LL knows they will want to sell in 6 months or a year? Or they may need to move back? It would be poor form to give you the thumbs up and then kick you out shortly afterwards.

- What if you rip out the old kitchen and then lose your job and can't afford the new? Or your contractor messes it up and leaves you without a kitchen? Or on ripping out the old kitchen, you discover dry rot, rising damp, damaged flooring, crumbling plaster or any number of other issues that the current kitchen is hiding?

Worst case scenarios, but playing devil's advocate flags up some potential issues. To be honest, as a tenant, I think you would be bonkers to sink thousands of your money into a property you could be asked to leave with 2 months' notice. Anything could happen to LL that means he/she needs to sell and you get nothing.

Cissi

Terrible idea! You're lucky the LL has refused - he could just as easily have agreed, only to give you notice when the new kitchen was in, so as to let it to someone else at a much higher rent - after all, it would have a brand new kitchen and carpet :eek: