Landlord asking for something to be changed back last min

Jemma01

I wouldn't paint it back, as you improved the condition, if they want the property back in the original rusty condition, then fair enough, but that can't happen.

I would refuse and dispute it. I very much doubt the DPS folks will honour your ridiculous landlord. Make sure you request the release of the deposit, read when you can do that. Don't wait for them to take action.

Murphybear

Herzlos said:

You can always ask the landlord if they want the rust restored as well and see what he says.

But it's ultimately up to you as to how you do it, worst he can do is deduct some arbitrated percentage of the cost of a repaint.

I was going to suggest that but thought it might be a bit too flippant 

As the landlord is going to sell the property I can’t see any prospective buyers caring about how the gate is painted.  It sounds like it’s in a better condition now.  Do you have an inventory with the condition of the gate included.  If not then if you don’t repaint it and the landlord tries to claim the cost of repainting he would have a very difficult job to prove his case without an inventory.  

BikingBud

saajan_12 said:

Floopy2009 said:

propertyrental said:

'Betterment' might be relevant here. If re-painted white the LL will get a newly painted white gate in place of an old, rusty white gate.

So if the T leaves the gate as is, and the LL deducts the cost of re-painting it from thw deposit, and the T raises a dispute, the arbitrators are unlikely to award the LL the full cost of repainting.

But this really should have been agreed at the time the T re-painted black. Making changes, even perceived improvements, to a rented property require the LL's consent.

@propertyrental i can confirm these gates have not been touched since 2011 as google maps show same rust spots etc, so surley he cant take much from me about 20- 25 pound ?, which to be honest will be the cost of the paint if i purchase it from the shop

Well that's the big question.. how long would outside gates be expected to last and what's the cost of reinstating the paint job. If its iron gates, then a long time (30+ years?) whereas a wooden gate might be shorter, eg 5-10 years. Plus how long and hence what's the cost of paying someone to paint it? The result of that estimation may well be over the £25. 

Are those life expectancies predicated upon timely and appropriate maintenance?

Maintenance that fell to the landlord to undertake?

Any weathering and degradation of external elements of the property that should rightly be addressed by maintenance that the landlord has decided not to undertake should not be an issue for the tenant.

[Deleted User]

Your landlord seem very petty.