Landlord responsible for paint job?

JC1440

Hello,

I've been renting a house for three and a half years. My bathroom doesn't have an extractor fan, so every time I use the shower, I have to spend ten minutes wiping the tiles off. Consequently, I just shower at my gym almost daily, and take, on average, one shower at home per week. After three years of, like I say, one shower a week, the ceiling paint has started to flake off. When I use the shower at home, I run a fan heater to help get rid of the steam, and have the window wide open, doing my best to keep the steam down.

Is the paint flaking because the landlord didn't have it painted correctly, or would a single (eight minute) shower per week result in flaking paint after three years? I want to get it repainted, but wasn't sure if it was my responsibility. My landlord does everything on the cheap, so I imagine the paint was a money saving job.

Thanks :wave:

anselld

It is likely that it was not painted correctly, ie the paint was not keyed properly to what was previously underneath.

You could ask the L to repaint but he is not obliged to do so.

Equally, there is nothing to stop you repainting yourself if you want to.

JC1440

Thanks, Anselld.

If it wasn't painted correctly, doesn't that mean he is obligated? If a light stops working in the house he is obligated, so why not with this?

Sarastro

What does your tenancy agreement say? If it doesn't specify who is responsible for what and assuming tenancy started after 2007, then likely you are responsible for keeping the interior of the property in good decorative order and he won't be obligated to do it. You could appeal to his good will but I doubt you will get far. He would have to fix the light as he does have a responsibility to ensure areas for access are adequately lit.

Cheeky_Monkey

JC1440 wrote: »

Thanks, Anselld.

If it wasn't painted correctly, doesn't that mean he is obligated? If a light stops working in the house he is obligated, so why not with this?

How would you prove that?

I would just paint it myself

G_M

JC1440 wrote: »

Hello,

I've been renting a house for three and a half years. My bathroom doesn't have an extractor fan, so every time I use the shower, I have to spend ten minutes wiping the tiles off.
???? !!

Consequently, I just shower at my gym almost daily,
:eek::eek::eek:

and take, on average, one shower at home per week. After three years of, like I say, one shower a week, the ceiling paint has started to flake off.
Provided you have reported this issue properly, by letter, to the landlord, to the correct address provided, it is not your issue.

Have you also pointed it out when inspections took place?

When I use the shower at home, I run a fan heater to help get rid of the steam, and have the window wide open, doing my best to keep the steam down.
A fan heater won't help. But an open window during and after showering is sensible. Keep the door shut so the steam does not circulate into the rest of the property.

Is the paint flaking because the landlord didn't have it painted correctly, or would a single (eight minute) shower per week result in flaking paint after three years?
If you always open the window during and after, then
* you should not need to wipe the tiles down - just leave them
* the paint should not flake
I want to get it repainted, but wasn't sure if it was my responsibility. My landlord does everything on the cheap, so I imagine the paint was a money saving job.

Thanks :wave:

If you want to get it painted, then when writing to the LL (see above)

a) request the landlord repaint, and ask when ad/or
b) ask permission to do so yourself. Once you have written permission, buy some paint and spend an hour or two re-painting.

do163600

If I had a tenant that told me the paint was flaking off, I would want to get it repainted to prevent any problems with the plaster. I don't understand pennypinching LLs, as it costs them more in the long run.

I don't have an extractor fan in my own bathroom, so I open the window when I shower in the morning and leave it open until the steam has dissipated. I also use a squeegee to remove water from the tiles after every shower and then wipe the tiles down with a cloth. It only takes two minutes and stops water from pooling on the silicon or grout and causing discolouration.

The bathroom was refitted in November last year and it still looks as good today as it did then.

anselld

JC1440 wrote: »

Thanks, Anselld.

If it wasn't painted correctly, doesn't that mean he is obligated? If a light stops working in the house he is obligated, so why not with this?

No, it is a cosmetic issue not part of L repairing obligations. Doesn't mean he won't do it but he is not "obligated".

AdrianC

JC1440 wrote: »

My bathroom doesn't have an extractor fan, so every time I use the shower, I have to spend ten minutes wiping the tiles off.

Does this bathroom have an opening window?

00ec25

after 15+ years of daily showers the ordinary emulsion paint on the ceiling is not peeling off because I open the window so the room ventilates properly,

saajan_12

JC1440 wrote: »

Thanks, Anselld.

If it wasn't painted correctly, doesn't that mean he is obligated? If a light stops working in the house he is obligated, so why not with this?

It likely wasn't painted in a way that would avoid peeling. So,

• peeling paint is a cosmetic issue, not a repair obligation so LL doesn't have to repaint.
• caused by wear & tear, not OP's negligence / damage, so tenant doesn't have to repaint / pay through a deposit deduction.

Either party can CHOOSE to repaint at their cost (if they get permission from the other side)