Advice Needed: RE house offered for rent in poor condition

MoroFenrir

There are no gas appliances at all , it is heated with electric radiators and an emersion heater.

There were fire alarms , some of the radiators had old scorch marks on them (the paint) but all plugs and sockets looked ok that I remember...

I did not see an EPC (Though I imagine it's not great, no double glazing...) but I can ask the estate agency for one tomorrow EDIT - It's on the listing, its an E

There was no sign of mould or damp...

Yes it's on the letting agentss website

MoroFenrir

It says on the ad that its double glazing... but I am pretty certain it's not.

I have single panel glazing in my house now, and it looked just like that

MoroFenrir

Well I just went on to the listing on rightmove, they've stated on the ad it is EPC E but when i download the actual EPC it does say D with the potential to become B , and it says that it's double glazed too...

Cakeguts

If something goes wrong with the electrics or plumbing you call the agent and the agent calls the landlord. Then when the agent has discussed what needs doing with the landlord you may or may not get a response from the agent. So checking the reputation of the agent doesn't tell you how the landlord will make repairs. Is the property managed by the agent or are they only paid to find a tenant? If the property isn't managed by the agent then the agent will not have anything to do with repairs.

MoroFenrir

The property is managed by the agent, they have plumbers and electricians that they use so all repairs go through the agency

Cakeguts

MoroFenrir wrote: »

The property is managed by the agent, they have plumbers and electricians that they use so all repairs go through the agency

The agent won't ask their plumbers or electricians to do any repairs until they are sure that the landlord will pay for it. So they have to discuss what needs to be done with the landlord before they do any repairs.

There is no way that anyone can tell you now if the landlord is good at agreeing for repairs to be done when the property is let.

MoroFenrir

Right, but if the landlord is required by law to do the repairs....i.e if you have no electricity or the toilet's not working , what then ?

AnotherJoe

MoroFenrir wrote: »

and the landlord has basically said he's happy for us to decorate it however we want, (doesn't have to be magnolia everywhere, Yay!) but you have to pay for it yourself, he's letting it as is and is not redecorating it for new tenants.

But we are concerned why a landlord would not do it themselves...

Simple, it appears their tenants do it for them for free

FBaby

Doing repairs is not black and white though. There is a difference between repairing a roof leaking and repairing a door handle that has come loose.

The reason why some landlords are choosing to do it this way is because some are tired of tenants demanding to be able to decorate as they wish soon after they move in (which they can do without asking anyway), then do a terrible job at putting back to how it was (using cheap paint, only one coat, not taking the care not to overrun), and then to be told if they challenge it via the deposit that they should be repainting properties after each tenant anyway.

It is often easier and maybe even cheaper to let tenants do what they want and reduce the rent slightly compared to what they would charge otherwise.

Pixie5740

MoroFenrir wrote: »

Right, but if the landlord is required by law to do the repairs....i.e if you have no electricity or the toilet's not working , what then ?

From Shelter:

Your landlord is responsible for repairs, including to:

* the structure and exterior of the building, including the walls, stairs and bannisters, roof, external doors and windows
* sinks, baths, toilets and other sanitary fittings, including pipes and drains
heating and hot water
* chimneys and ventilation
* electrical wiring

If any of these things need repaired and your landlord won't repair them (after you have written to your landlord to report the repairs) then you can escalate the matter to the council who can intervene.

Personally I wouldn't want to rent a property with holes in the walls and in serious need of redecoration (i don't mean naff decor I mean peeling wallpaper, holes in carpets, cracked tiles, etc) because to me it gives the impression the landlord doesn't care. You've said that this property isn't particularly cheap for the area so keep looking.