New carpets in rented house

ewooderz

I have been in my private rented house for the last 7 years. The stairs and landing along with the three bedroom carpets have been down since before we moved in (family of four). I asked my LL to come round to look as the treads of the stairs have worn away to backing and the landing is starting to pucker up slightly. I asked for all upstairs carpet to be replaced, her response was, she wasn't sure if it's her responsibility and that she hasn't put our rent up in that time as are are such good tenants. We have done all decorating and have kept garden lovely. Is she legally obliged to replace them

asus1987

in my view ( as a landlord) i dont think its legal she has to change them,

should she however change them if you have been renting for 7 years and the carpets have had there life span, i would say yes,
till about 2 years ago they were tax deductible,

Imo carpets in rented places ( bearing in mind a landlord isnt going to pay out for mega expensive carpet alot of the time) have a life of around 5 years or so,

obviously it depends how bad yours are but if over 7 years old i think its fair,

TBagpuss

She can't be legally required to change them but as a landlord she should be budgeting for maintenace and general upkeep which would include replacing things such as carpets periodically, redecorating etc.

FBaby

I think it is reasonable that the carpet should be changed especially if they were not new when you moved in, but be prepared for an increase in rent to make up for it. You've probably got a better deal with no rent increase for 7 years then what it will cost for the carpets.

nkkingston

She's under no obligation to change them, but she can't charge you for them if she did. You are under no obligation to change them, but you can't charge her for them if you did. You could, however, take the carpets with you when you leave if you'd paid for them!

There may be something in it if they're listen on the inventory, or if they're becoming actively unsafe, but otherwise the extent to which a person is happy living with worn carpets is a matter of personal taste. She'll probably replace them when you move out to entice new tenants, and it's possible you could use this as a bargaining chip if you really were considering moving out over the issue, but if you like the house and haven't had a rise in rent in seven years, you're probably pretty comfortable where you are.

if you're planning to stay there for a long time to come, I'd possibly consider replacing them yourselves, and taking them with you if you move out. Stairs at least have a decent shot at being reusable. You may need to hang on to the old carpets and re-lay them, though, so the house is in the same condition you got it in bar fair wear-and-tear.

Thrugelmir

ewooderz wrote: »

she hasn't put our rent up in that time as are are such good tenants.

Might be cheaper to have some carpet laid yourselves. Than suffer a rent rise.

ewooderz

If she did lay new carpets and wanted to put the rent up, could she potentially put it up by whatever she likes?

Thrugelmir

Then you could choose to vote with your feet.

Mojisola

ewooderz wrote: »

I have been in my private rented house for the last 7 years.

she hasn't put our rent up in that time as are are such good tenants.

Have rents in the local area gone up a lot in seven years?

If you've made some good savings on the rent over the years, I'd be tempted to replace the stairs and landing carpets (to prevent falls apart from anything else). You wouldn't need to spend very much if you shop around.

HappyMJ

ewooderz wrote: »

If she did lay new carpets and wanted to put the rent up, could she potentially put it up by whatever she likes?

She can put the rent up to whatever she thinks she can get away with.

You can choose to pay it...or move.

G_M

See

* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new protection (2015)

* Deposits: payment, protection and return

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

* Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?