Tenant want to decorate...should I let him?

gillybean129

My new tenant want to decorate in one of the rooms, in my opinion the paper was expensive and I left it as it was my parent's home. I have a couple of concerns, one that if he does it himself it mightn't be to my standard and obviously I'd want to check out exactly what is being done and approve it, just sad they took on the property if they don't like the decor but hey ho.
What would you do?

marliepanda

gillybean129 wrote: »

My new tenant want to decorate in one of the rooms, in my opinion the paper was expensive and I left it as it was my parent's home. I have a couple of concerns, one that if he does it himself it mightn't be to my standard and obviously I'd want to check out exactly what is being done and approve it, just sad they took on the property if they don't like the decor but hey ho.
What would you do?

If they want to decorate it likely means they want to be a long term tenant.

As for 'approving it' and it 'being to your standard' he has to live with it, not you. Its currently his home. If, when he moves out, which could be many moons in the future, you feel your house decor has deteriorated solely because of this poor redecoration, then you could take some of the deposit for this. However, as he wants to decorate, he is likely to be a long term tenant, and may stay long past the shelf life of your current decor.

You're the landlord. Do you want a long term tenant or someone who likes your parents wallpaper?

Guest101

You cant stop him, you have no say in it.

fairy_lights

gillybean129 wrote: »

in my opinion the paper was expensive and I left it as it was my parent's home.

It's not your parents home anymore though, it's your tenants. You don't have to let them decorate, but if you want them to stay long term it's not a bad idea to at least discuss what they want to do.

evansc1

He could have raised it before signing the contract but is it really going to negatively affect the value of your property? Especially if you are going to be the owner long term?

The wallpaper may not be to his taste and in fairness, most rentals are decorated neutral these days for this reason - appeals to more people that way. Quite common for people to want to make it their home. As marliepanda says, sounds more like a long term tenant if they are wanting to redecorate.

If you are really that bothered, so long as you can provide information to the tenant as to where the wallpaper is from, stipulate that all redecorating done by the tenant will be returned to it's original state and in the same quality (less fair wear and tear).

gillybean129

fairy_lights wrote: »

It's not your parents home anymore though, it's your tenants. You don't have to let them decorate, but if you want them to stay long term it's not a bad idea to at least discuss what they want to do.

Yes this is sensible, it's on a 6 month term and not sure if I want to sell which is my option too, just can't stand sloppy decorating! My Dad was a decorator so it's been done well.

evansc1

Guest101 wrote: »

You cant stop him, you have no say in it.

Likely in the contract that re-decorating will require permission from the LL.

G_M

First - forget "it was my parent's home." If you are still emotionally attached, you should ot be letting it out.

2nd - be glad the tenant is considering investing (time, money etc) - it means you have a potential long term tenant. Assuming that's what you want (you plan to sell in 6 months?), do everything you can to encourage/support him. Good reliable long term tenants are worth their weight.

3rd, yes, make it clear you need to appove both the colour scheme and the quality. Re colour scheme, again, put aside your emotional attacment and be reasonable. If he wants to paint the entire room black, I'd refuse or make clear he has to re-paint it when he leaves, but as long as it's going to be re-lettable in the future you should agree.

4th - I might offer to pay for the materials after all, he's improving your property. Or come to an arrangement where you get a professional decorator in (to ensure quality) and you split the cost 50/50 or whatever.

G_M

Guest101 wrote: »

You cant stop him, you have no say in it.

Though you do have come-back at the end of the tenancy.

Far better to reach an agreement now.

XKC-Me

Definitely let them, subject to you pre-approving colours/design choices. Presumably they will stay for the long-term if you do, which has significant value to you as the landlord.

Guest101

gillybean129 wrote: »

Yes this is sensible, it's on a 6 month term and not sure if I want to sell which is my option too, just can't stand sloppy decorating! My Dad was a decorator so it's been done well.

So you rent it out and then you plan to sell, you don't want anything being different - is the tenant allowed to walk in it?


It's now their home and they can do as they please. If you don't like it you need to 'buy' the contract from the tenant.