Windows in property rental

purpleygirl

A friend moved into a rental property and when she viewed the property there were curtains at the windows. She was aware that the property would be renovated before she moved in.  When she moved in there were no poles or blinds at the bedroom window.  I know that there is no legal requirement to provide this but surely there should be some way of agreeing something suitable with the landlord's agreement even if she has to pay for it.  The managing agent has been unhelpful and unresponsive generally.  She has been using an eye mask at night and thankfully isn't overlooked.  

tacpot12

She is allowed to put up curtain poles or blinds, so should just get on and do this.

MoonChild91

Can she get some tension rod blinds? Not ideal and this just seems ridiculous on behalf of the landlord and letting agent but could help her out in the meantime and wouldn't cause any damage she may end up being liable to pay for. I've contacted Shelter before about issues with rental properties and they've been super helpful, and there's also ACORN the renter's union depending whereabouts she is. 

bris

Maybe loans is not the place for this.
get it moved here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/house-buying-renting-selling

purpleygirl

Thank you for the helpful replies and also for the link to move the thread.  I did report it and ask them to move it.

greatcrested

When she viewed and asked what was included in the rental, what dd the LL/agent say?

Once they re-open (hmmm..... when....?) you can pick up curtains for £5 - £10 from charity shops.

youth_leader

When I moved into this rental there weren't any curtains either, but there are rails in all rooms except the bathroom where I have a precariously balanced blind on a nail.  I hope your friend has a local Wilko, they do reasonably priced poles.

HampshireH

Can also get curtains for free on social media marketplaces quite easily 

I don't really see what the problem is here or why she hasn't just put curtains up and is sleeping with an eye mask instead? 

If she is worried about putting a batten / fixings up she just needs to make good when she leaves.

[Deleted User]

MoonChild91 said:

Can she get some tension rod blinds? Not ideal and this just seems ridiculous on behalf of the landlord and letting agent but could help her out in the meantime and wouldn't cause any damage she may end up being liable to pay for. I've contacted Shelter before about issues with rental properties and they've been super helpful, and there's also ACORN the renter's union depending whereabouts she is. 

You must have a very low threshold for what you find to be ridiculous! What did the inventory say, what did she agree to?
Tenants are required to behave in a tenant like manner and a bigger worry is their ability do that generally if they need to contact Shelter over liabilty for a curtain and pole in one room.

MoonChild91

[Deleted User] said:

MoonChild91 said:

Can she get some tension rod blinds? Not ideal and this just seems ridiculous on behalf of the landlord and letting agent but could help her out in the meantime and wouldn't cause any damage she may end up being liable to pay for. I've contacted Shelter before about issues with rental properties and they've been super helpful, and there's also ACORN the renter's union depending whereabouts she is. 

You must have a very low threshold for what you find to be ridiculous! What did the inventory say, what did she agree to?
Tenants are required to behave in a tenant like manner and a bigger worry is their ability do that generally if they need to contact Shelter over liabilty for a curtain and pole in one room.

I've rented for nearly 10 years, including in London, so believe me when I say I've seen a LOT when it comes to bad landlords and letting agents. I don't really think it's reasonable to let a property out without putting up a curtain pole, for a start not everyone is capable or able to put up one on their own and many landlords are fussy about tenants doing any alterations - not to mention what if the lady in question damaged the wall or drilled through a cable, she'd be expected to pay for this when it wouldn't have taken the landlord 30 minutes to get a curtain rod put up. It's an easy fix and a lazy thing to let pass. Them neglecting simple issues like this to me could be indicative of problems further down the line, hence giving information on people who may be useful. 

Not entirely sure why you're attacking me for offering advice, but each to their own. 

[Deleted User]

The issue isn’t so much buying curtains or blinds I don’t think because you can get cheap but perfectly functioning curtains from B&Q, the Range etc. It’s more making holes in order to hang up any kind of fitting because you know that some landlords and letting agents out there will deduct money if the tenant leaves behind a perfectly well installed curtain pole. 

@purpleygirl, my suggestion would be for your friend to write to the landlord at the address for the serving of notices requesting permission to install a curtain pole just to cover her !!!!!! when it comes to getting her deposit back. Otherwise she could look at getting a tension rod or some Command hooks and curtain rings with clips to hang some material so as to avoid any drilling.