Lanlord's obligation to provide window blinds

uneverknow

Hello everyone, question about providing window blinds or curtains for the rental property. 
My flat was initially let out with blinds on the living room window. The window frame was changed recently and the blinds no longer fit. The window in question is a bay window with a ceiling that's lower than the rest of the room, and originally there was a blind attached to the wooden window frame.
The new frame is upvc, sits right under the low bay ceiling, leaving no space on the wall for a blind or a curtain pole. The ceiling in the bay window is not strong enough to affix anything to it. The tenant would prefer to have a blind, and I would like to keep them happy provided I can find a good cost effective solution. 

I have tried to investigate various options but have found nothing practical enough, would like to avoid drilling into the new window frame. Wondering if it's worth it, and also if I have a legal obligation to provide the blinds, especially since the living room is not overlooked at all, facing the back of the communal garden. Any advice appreciated, thanks in advance.

AdrianC

Any chance of some pics?

No, you are not legally obliged to provide blinds or curtains.
But, as a tenant, I'd be fairly hacked-off if I moved in with them, then they went AWOL part-way through the tenancy - whatever the reason. And a hacked-off tenant means a tenant that's looking to move.

You certainly can top-fix to the plasterboard ceiling, though - you just need to use decent plasterboard fixings. There'll be some kind of frame up there, too, which the board is attached to. If you can find that, screw straight into it.

macman

Why can't you attach to the UPVC frame? As long as you're not going into the sealed units, obviously.

Socajam

Have you thought about installing a tint on the window.  This would stop people from being able to see inside
Check this out:  https://www.windowfilm.co.uk/residential/privacy

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I have know someone have being using this for a number of years and they love it.

FreeBear

AdrianC said: You certainly can top-fix to the plasterboard ceiling, though - you just need to use decent plasterboard fixings. There'll be some kind of frame up there, too, which the board is attached to. If you can find that, screw straight into it.

Even with plasterboard fixings, the continual tugging on the curtains will eventually see the fixings fail. There should be some timbers behind the plasterboard - If the OP can locate them, screwing in to them would be the best long term solution. I had a custom pole made for my bay (25mm stainless steel), and have it fixed to the timbers behind the plaster ceiling.

uneverknow

Eventually decided to go for lightweight curtains, on plastic rods with adhesive hooks that attach directly to the window frame. Thanks everyone for your feedback, helped me make the decision.

blue_max_3

uneverknow said:

Eventually decided to go for lightweight curtains, on plastic rods with adhesive hooks that attach directly to the window frame. Thanks everyone for your feedback, helped me make the decision.

Net curtains? - classy!  

GaleSF63

I have venetian blinds that fit into the inside of the window frame between the frame and the glass so don't touch walls or ceilings. 

No drilling into the window frame is involved. They're held in by clips.

I can't remember what their proper name is, unless it's "perfect fit" but not sure if that's a brand name. 

Perect fit will bring up some examples on Google Images, anyway.

AdrianC

FreeBear said:
There should be some timbers behind the plasterboard - If the OP can locate them, screwing in to them would be the best long term solution. I had a custom pole made for my bay (25mm stainless steel), and have it fixed to the timbers behind the plaster ceiling.

If it's a modernish flat, they may well be steels.