Landlord responsibilities - standard of fittings, advice please.

G_M

daphnemoon wrote: »

LL's Do you think I would be able to hold out for new carpet or repair before I sign the new agreement? Or would this put Us in a bad light with the LL?

Invite him round to discuss the new contract.

Bake a cake, and make him tea.

Discuss the long term contract which it appears will suit you both, and show him the carpet and any other issues and suggest he make the property attractie as a long-term commitment.

Any agreement you reach follow up with a friendly letter:

"Thanks for ... blah blah. A discussed, we'd be happy to commit to the 2 year contract provided the few improvements we talked about are undertaken. These were

*
*
*

Look forwatd to blah blah...

FBaby

A discussed, we'd be happy to commit to the 2 year contract provided the few improvements we talked about are undertaken.

I agree with the invitation and discussion but personally, I feel the above comes across as 'do what I demand or else....' and that certainly would be the best way for me to respond with a 'get lost, or of course, provided you pay an extra £20 a month.

They don't have to change the carpets, they might do so because they want the best for their tenant and they can afford it at this time, or they might not care at all.

Pixie5740

Quotes have been sought to replace the carpets on more than one occasion but so far nothing has been done about them. I'd be wondering if that was because the landlord didn't care or the landlord can't afford to replace or if the landlord is waiting for new tenants/you to sign up to another 2 year fixed term. The first 2 possible reasons would ring alarm bells in my head. It's perfectly reasonable to discuss potential improvements with your landlord before signing a new fixed term. In fact I'm not sure I would sign until the work had been completed. Verbal agreements aren't worth the paper they're written on so if your landlord says he'll carry out the work and the welches on the deal after you've signed a new fixed term there will be nothing you can do about it.

Pixie5740

thesaint wrote: »

That's exactly what we did when the tenant reported the torn carpet to the enviromental health office.

Fair enough if the tenant damaged the carpet themselves but if it was just down to the carpet being old and worn that was a pretty !!!!!! thing to do. I'm sure you wouldn't like a thread worn trip hazard or just bare floorboards in your own home.

[Deleted User]

In my previous property, with a LL who wouldn't do repairs, I asked and asked for the living room laminate to be replaced (which was warped and cracked). After we left, he replaced it. We lived there four years, I asked him to replace the laminate from day one of the tenancy. The stair carpet became more and more worn until it did become a trip hazard. He replaced this when he decided to sell, to make the place look good for viewings. This was after 3 and a half years of tenancy. The stair carpet had quite obviously been there for many years. It wasn't a trip hazard when I moved in, but was obviously old. As a benefit recipient, it was a miracle I even managed to have a LL who'd accept a benefit tenant so I wasn't in a position to argue or find another better presented place.

With this place (council) there was obviously no flooring, I managed to get good quality carpet very cheaply on ebay. If you look, there are often quite large remnants on there. If the LL won't replace and you want to stay there for 2 years further, it might be worth considering this for your own peace of mind. I agree that the LL should do it, but if he won't and there's no way of forcing him, you might have to consider this option.

silvercar

G_M wrote: »

Invite him round to discuss the new contract.

Bake a cake, and make him tea.

Just noticing that there is suddenly a suggestion of home baking, previously shop cake would have been sufficient!

silvercar

deannatrois wrote: »

In my previous property, with a LL who wouldn't do repairs, I asked and asked for the living room laminate to be replaced (which was warped and cracked). After we left, he replaced it. We lived there four years, I asked him to replace the laminate from day one of the tenancy. The stair carpet became more and more worn until it did become a trip hazard. He replaced this when he decided to sell, to make the place look good for viewings. This was after 3 and a half years of tenancy. The stair carpet had quite obviously been there for many years. It wasn't a trip hazard when I moved in, but was obviously old. As a benefit recipient, it was a miracle I even managed to have a LL who'd accept a benefit tenant so I wasn't in a position to argue or find another better presented place.

With this place (council) there was obviously no flooring, I managed to get good quality carpet very cheaply on ebay. If you look, there are often quite large remnants on there. If the LL won't replace and you want to stay there for 2 years further, it might be worth considering this for your own peace of mind. I agree that the LL should do it, but if he won't and there's no way of forcing him, you might have to consider this option.

Fairly standard for landlords to update between tenancies, rather than for existing tenants. Particularly when there is little chance of a rent increase or the tenant moving out.

I am quite surprised that you are expected to provide your own carpet in temporary accommodation.

DaftyDuck

silvercar wrote: »

Just noticing that there is suddenly a suggestion of home baking, previously shop cake would have been sufficient!

He's been stalking Mary Berry again, I suspect. Suggest Nurse ups the medication...

Politely put, a request from a good tenant is likely to be listened to, in my experience. If reasonable (and I think this is), it stands a good chance of being enacted, again, in my experience. You've been there a few years, so the LL is likely not that keen to move you on.

Tea and cake is still recommended, though I'd settle for an Aldi Swiss Roll and Typhoo!

[Deleted User]

silvercar wrote: »

Fairly standard for landlords to update between tenancies, rather than for existing tenants. Particularly when there is little chance of a rent increase or the tenant moving out.

I am quite surprised that you are expected to provide your own carpet in temporary accommodation.

The temporary accommodation is a council two bed maisonette. Like standard council accommodation, you get the four walls etc but nothing else.., and very lucky to get it. As I'll probably be here for 2-4 years and I have a boy with special needs who falls frequently, I had to have carpet in some areas.

Oh and the rent did increase in the private rental and I did pay it.

agrinnall

silvercar wrote: »

Just noticing that there is suddenly a suggestion of home baking, previously shop cake would have been sufficient!

It's not sudden, G_M has always suggested a home made cake in these situations.