Would you ever pay to do up your landlord's property?

clark24

James_Morgan_McGill wrote: »

Ah, I've never done that! I do remove the filter and clean that, but I've never done anything else. Thanks, I'll Google it.

A big mug of white vinegar and a 90 degree wash, might need to repeat it a couple of times. Cleans it out a treat

Also I do this monthly with my machine, stops limescale build-up and keeps it fresh.

Do it with an empty machine though the first few times, after that it is a good way of giving your towels a good deep clean whilst doing the machine at the same time.

James_Morgan_McGill

stator wrote: »

If you're going to spend money get yourself a fixed length tenancy. I wouldn't dream of spending more than the cost of a paint can if I was on a monthly periodic.

Right!

It's just I know he's been renting this property on this basis for 15+ years, and I don't see a sign of it coming to an end.

And I feel like I'm "saving" the difference between what I'm paying and what an estate agent would charge me for a similarly sized but refurbished property. Let's say I notionally "save" £4,000 a year with my current low rent, but I would actually have to spend £2,000 to get the flat to the standard of those I'm comparing it with. If the landlord decides to sell up in two years, in my mind that would feel like I received £6,000 of benefit, getting to live in a much nicer property than I could afford for that period of time.

To really get the property to a decent standard would be more like £10,000 or £20,000, since the kitchen and bathroom need redoing. There should be sound insulation between the floorboards throughout to stop the noise from the upstairs flat carrying so easily. The tiled path down the side of the house, and the concrete path down the garden both need completely relaying as they have been smashed up by tree roots. And the conservatory would be better off knocked down and replaced.

But these things will all be concerns for whichever rich person one day buys it, not for me, and seemingly not for the landlord either...

James_Morgan_McGill

clark24 wrote: »

A big mug of white vinegar and a 90 degree wash, might need to repeat it a couple of times. Cleans it out a treat

Also I do this monthly with my machine, stops limescale build-up and keeps it fresh.

Do it with an empty machine though the first few times, after that it is a good way of giving your towels a good deep clean whilst doing the machine at the same time.

Thanks, you've saved me a few hundred pounds right there!

stator

If you put the money into a savings account instead, how long until you could afford to buy it off the landlord?

clark24

James_Morgan_McGill wrote: »

Thanks, you've saved me a few hundred pounds right there!

Well I hope I have, it has never failed for me

James_Morgan_McGill

stator wrote: »

If you put the money into a savings account instead, how long until you could afford to buy it off the landlord?

When I moved in five years ago, the flat would have sold for £250k+.

Renovated flats on this street with the same floor area now go for £400k+. I'm guessing in its current state mine would be £375k+.

Perhaps I'm with with the wrong bank, but I don't think a savings account could help me....

dirty_magic

When we were renting we repainted and redecorated the bathroom and put up our own blinds, and we did improve the garden a lot, but we didn't do anything majorly expensive. I'd draw the line at new flooring and new kitchen and bathroom because they're expensive.

I probably wouldn't mind fixing the glazed units, as you can get them done pretty cheap. I wouldn't replace any whole windows though! I wouldn't mind replacing appliances if the rent is low, but I'd keep the old ones and take mine with me if I moved.

downshifter

I've lived in my rented cottage for 13 years now. In that time the rent has increased once, from £350 to £390. I'm on a rolling contract so like you, no real security.

When I moved in there were no kitchen units (just a vile and manky kitchen sink), no floor covering, just concrete in the kitchen, scruffy wood (not nice cottagey floorboards!) upstairs and a soaking carpet in the living room. I bought cheapo kitchen units from B and Q and fitted them myself, had a friend do the plumbing and electrics for new sink/cooker - all white goods are mine. The landlord has been round and said something about 'seeing me straight' for this work. However it's now 13 years on, I've replaced the carpets/flooring more than once in that time. Around 7 years ago I had a shower put in (£700). I have painted etc several times.

In that time he has replaced most of the roof and fitted double glazing to half of the windows. Between us, although not totally to the standard I might want if I was a houseowner, this is now a still scruffy but comfortable place to live. None of the improvements owe me anything now and I shan't be bothered if he doesn't pay me for them when I leave.

I see it as my responsibility to pay for the annual maintenance and repairs to the boiler (there have been several) and like you, there's an unspoken agreement that I will look after things in return for being left in peace ( no visits, no rent increases etc etc) I don't actually think he has a clue about tenant/landlord law anyway.

Like you, I see it as a long term home and this is what it has been and I hope continues in this way for a long while yet. If he suddenly decides to throw me out for some reason, well ok, I'll just find somewhere else and make that my home instead. If I choose to leave, I can easily, and take my washing machine with me. (Though I doubt I would, it's fairly ancient.) Safe from the hassles of housebuying and my options are kept open just as much as his are.

jayss

I wouldn't but I've not rented the same place for more than 2 years and I'm not that fussy about decor.

franklee

downshifter wrote: »

I see it as my responsibility to pay for the annual maintenance and repairs to the boiler (there have been several) and like you, there's an unspoken agreement that I will look after things in return for being left in peace ( no visits, no rent increases etc etc) I don't actually think he has a clue about tenant/landlord law anyway.

By law the landlord has to do an annual gas safety check and give a copy to the tenant. This must be done by a gas safe registered engineer. If you are present f I'd suggest getting the gas engineer's name and look them up in the register. They should show their gas safe card but I've not yet met one that volunteers this. The boiler repairs should be paid by the landlord. However there is no requirement he does any routine servicing although same landlords do that when the gas safety check is done. Personally I wouldn't meddle with the boiler off my own bat as a tenant. Obviously if the landlord has a gas safe engineer he likes to use he can if you are both happy give you their phone number so you can arrange the appointment. Given boiler mainencace is not the same as the saftey check I'd suggest you get the LL to do the check annually and start asap if it's been missed.