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

James_Morgan_McGill

Thanks for your post, Downshifter. It sounds like we have the same kind of mentality, and probably the same kind of landlord. I imagine yours is not a buy-to-letter either, and the two of you have an attitude of mutual respect, or at least mutual convenience, just as we do here.

I have enjoyed the chance to learn about DIY and decorating, things which with a more proactive landlord I might never have known about. The skills I've picked up here will help me if I do ever find myself able to become a homeowner.

I definitely would draw the line at actually replacing windows or floorboards, or kitchen units, etc, but I'm happy to take on anything else.

xHannahx

We have a similar landlord, not seen him in 3 years about the house, lived here for 5. We always Speak in the street as he lives locally. He's left us to it, we have never had a rent increase and pay about 30% below market value. We willingly spend 10-15% annually on improving the look, after all we are the ones who live and entertain friends here, and yet we are still spending less than market value is how I look at it. If he was to put the rent up I would reduce the spend on improvements. He owns 4 other properties on our road and all tenants have the same experiences of him.
The property isn't mortgaged. We are of the opinion he's happy to get his rent on time each month, and as he knows we look after the house he's happy not to rock the boat.

[Deleted User]

I live in a 3 bed terraced house that was low rental when I moved in. I was having to move out of emergency LA accommodation so at the time would have moved into a cardboard box (with two kids). First thing I did was replace the bathroom, I got a cheap bath, retiled (nice tiles but got them in a sale) and fixed a leaking shower pipe that was causing mould. The tiles were black underneath and the grout had obviously been regrouted to cover mould.

The rent has only increased by £25 in the four years I've lived here, I'd have to pay another £150 to get even the same sort of property or move to a completely different area (not an option because of schooling problems).

Lots of bad feeling between me and my LL, but I also know I've done ok in real world terms. I've lived here for four years, and I'm now in a very good position to get social housing.

The LL came round last year to say he wants to sell. Not good news to a benefits recipient but thank goodness, I do have the social housing option now.

But while I did paint the worse of the place at the LL's suggestion when I had NO options (he said he was going to find a LL who wanted sitting tenants so suggested decorating would impress, but I always knew if someone said 'here's the money" it wouldn't matter who it was). I've now said no more viewings, no more decorating other than what I am obligated to do and I'll move out happily into a house i can do up for myself. Even put shelving up and paint in something other than magnolia if I feel like it!

I have done what I did to increase my comfort. At first I thought it might increase my security. The kitchen needs gutting and replacing badly, but as the electrics in the kitchen are useless as well, I haven't touched it (by then I knew what the LL was like). I don't regret it. I wouldn't have regretted it as long as I had a couple of years tenancy and I've had twice that. So it is as it is.

downshifter

franklee wrote: »

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.

Morning. Sorry I should have said that the heating is oil, there is no gas for miles around. There is no similar requirement for oil safety checks as there is for gas.

However I am aware that many landlords don't do as they should so yours is a timely reminder.

DS

downshifter

James_Morgan_McGill wrote: »

I definitely would draw the line at actually replacing windows or floorboards, or kitchen units, etc, but I'm happy to take on anything else.

I haven't replaced kitchen units, there weren't any in the first place!!! They cost me a couple of hundred pounds (cheapest from B and Q) and I quite enjoyed learning about flatpacks etc, I laid the laminate floor and some of the carpets myself and have done lots of other bits. As you say, a good learning experience and anyway, I enjoy the self-sufficiency. The kitchen is still in good condition now, 13 years on, apart from a couple of dents in a worktop. Thanks B & Q!

I could never afford to buy somewhere like this. I haven't spoken to the LL for years now. It's a house that belonged to his wife's father and which nobody in the family wants to live in. I assume the LL will pass it on to his daughter who might wish to sell but I'll worry about that when it happens. I may move before then anyway as I'm starting to look at other parts of the country for a change. Maybe nearer the sea?

Renting gives you so much freedom.

Davesnave

As usual it depends upon the situation.

Here, in ultimate rurality, I know someone who rents a very large property. He and the landlord are on drinking terms and they have therefore discussed life plans.

The landlord has given this person his word that he can have the property for at least 7 and possibly up to 10 years at a very reasonable rent. The tenant, who's very handy, therefore does a certain amount of maintenance that goes beyond titivation.

Now, of course, there is no such thing as certainty in an arrangement like this, but it is probably no worse than other small chances people take. In this case, the tenant knows that he could never afford to buy such a property, so he reasons the risk is worth it.

Some folk want security above all else. Others take small risks, possibly having richer experiences as a result.

downshifter

Great post Davesnave. I wonder in fact if there's a market for rental do-er-uppers - I bet there is. A friend was telling me about her neighbour who wants to rent her house out as she's moving away but doesn't need to sell. It's a normal, ordinary comfy family house in very rural area - wellies and at the moment, lambing taking preference over posh decoration. She invited an agent round for advice and valuation and he told her he doubted she'd be able to let it as she needed leather sofas, hotel style bathroom, state of art kitchen appliances, central heating (she has open fires) etc etc. She gave up the idea and the house will probably stand empty, perhaps just used by her as a holiday home. I found my two rentals through ads in local papers, they weren't on websites or agencies. Many landlords don't use the internet still, especially in more backwoods areas like this - I know mine doesn't. I shall suggest she tries this, though she would prefer to use an agent as she will be away.

Surely there must be other tenants who would offer to do up in return for lower rent. There's no risk to the landlord and some of us tenants are more than prepared to take the chance, as Dave so wisely says.

DS

clark24

downshifter wrote: »

Great post Davesnave. I wonder in fact if there's a market for rental do-er-uppers - I bet there is. A friend was telling me about her neighbour who wants to rent her house out as she's moving away but doesn't need to sell. It's a normal, ordinary comfy family house in very rural area - wellies and at the moment, lambing taking preference over posh decoration. She invited an agent round for advice and valuation and he told her he doubted she'd be able to let it as she needed leather sofas, hotel style bathroom, state of art kitchen appliances, central heating (she has open fires) etc etc. She gave up the idea and the house will probably stand empty, perhaps just used by her as a holiday home. I found my two rentals through ads in local papers, they weren't on websites or agencies. Many landlords don't use the internet still, especially in more backwoods areas like this - I know mine doesn't. I shall suggest she tries this, though she would prefer to use an agent as she will be away.

Surely there must be other tenants who would offer to do up in return for lower rent. There's no risk to the landlord and some of us tenants are more than prepared to take the chance, as Dave so wisely says.

DS

That agent sounds like an idiot! Most people who rent in very rural areas are not expecting state of the art anything, they just want somewhere to live. I'd say check with a few more agents, allow people who have pets to rent it and as long as it is wind and water-tight, has decent plumbing and hot water, the rest is up to the prospective renters.

clark24

Funnily enough (not funny haha but funny aarrggghhhhh) we got a phonecall from our landlady this morning to say she is selling the cottage to our next door neighbours as they want to knock them through into one big property.

So all the money and time we have spent on improvements will not be enjoyed by us for much longer.

Ho hum that's life (insert many very profane swear words here!)

ellie27

Would I ever pay to do up my Landlords property?

No chance - I am spending enough money on the rent! Rent is money you will never get back so I wouldnt put any more money into their house.

However I am only in this rental for a short while, we moved in January and will probably move out August/Sept.

Even if I was thinking of staying longer I wouldnt spend anything.