Renting - who is responsible for decorating?

newbieni

Hi, 

A work colleague rents a house and has done so for four years, the house was apparently freshly decorated prior to moving in, however, the living room is now a little scruffy and needs a fresh coat of paint. Is this the landlord's responsibility?

Thanks 

sammyjammy

The landlord can choose to paint it if they so wish, if the tenant can't live with it they could ask landlord if they can paint it.  There is no requirement for any painting to be done at all.

lika_86

Ah the idea that a landlord would be required to maintain a house in the same way as if they owned and lived in the place. What a dream.

Tiglet2

Landlords tend to redecorate when there is a gap between outgoing and incoming tenants.  They don't tend to come into the property to decorate while they have a tenant in the property, since it is difficult to gain access and they are supposed to be providing you with quiet enjoyment of the property.  You will of course need to obtain the landlord's permission to redecorate, but I wouldn't think they would object to you maintaining the property for your own benefit, provided you are not thinking of a vastly controversial style!

theartfullodger

Nothing preventing you asking for it to be done.  LL doesn't have to.

SieIso

Tiglet2 said:

Landlords tend to redecorate when there is a gap between outgoing and incoming tenants.  They don't tend to come into the property to decorate while they have a tenant in the property, since it is difficult to gain access and they are supposed to be providing you with quiet enjoyment of the property.  You will of course need to obtain the landlord's permission to redecorate, but I wouldn't think they would object to you maintaining the property for your own benefit, provided you are not thinking of a vastly controversial style!

I think the OP is hoping the LL will do the decorating.

Gavin83

You can ask but I'd expect the answer to be 'no'. Decor is very subjective and there's no real benefit to the landlord in doing this. They're much better off redecorating once your colleague moves out. Obviously it'll cost them money so they're unlikely to be keen without any benefit.

I'd say generally speaking any mid term tenancy decorating is carried out by the tenant themselves, with the landlords permission of course.

p00hsticks

lika_86 said:

Ah the idea that a landlord would be required to maintain a house in the same way as if they owned and lived in the place. What a dream.

Do most people really redecorate their own homes every four years ?
We certainly don't, but then on the other hand we take care not to make the paintwork look 'scruffy'..... 

lika_86

p00hsticks said:

lika_86 said:

Ah the idea that a landlord would be required to maintain a house in the same way as if they owned and lived in the place. What a dream.

Do most people really redecorate their own homes every four years ?
We certainly don't, but then on the other hand we take care not to make the paintwork look 'scruffy'..... 

We don't but would redecorate as and when it became needed. I would be surprised if a living room became scruffy in four years. For us the areas that get the most hammer and are most likely to get scuffed up are the hallway and stairs which tend to get marked by bags or suitcases. 

Jonboy_1984

I did have a relative gently moaning that a long term tenant wouldn’t let them get decorators in to redecorate rooms that really needed it, whilst simultaneously stating that their rent should remain something like 40% below market rate (having not been increased in around 8 years as they were generally very good tenants ) because the decor was so tired….

propertyrental

Ask the LL but as above, LL likely to say no.

If you do it yourself, makes sure the LL gives written consent, especially if changing any colour/wallpaper etc. or you could be charged for re-instating the original colour when the tenancy ends.

Never do anything without written consent.