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Landlords: how would you respond

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rozevans
rozevans Posts: 22 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
Hi

We live in a rental property and it has Lino tiles on top of what I imagine is a concrete floor. The floor is SO cold, you never want to leave your feet on the floor for more than a minute. we are thinking about asking the landlord if he would think about putting in carpets to the living area, the kitchen could stay as it is. But we don't want to ask if this is rude.

What would you say if you are a landlord?

Thanks!
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  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
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    "Wear slippers".
    "Buy a rug".
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
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    AnotherJoe wrote: »
    "Wear slippers".
    "Buy a rug".



    Literally thinking the same thing
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 14,603 Forumite
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    AnotherJoe wrote: »
    "Wear slippers".
    "Buy a rug".
    Ditto: I'd probably suggest - buy rugs.

    And, if unhappy, move.

    Is there adequate heating and are there any other issues?? Nothing to stop you, by the way, from writing to landlord requesting improvements, carpets, woteva: Nothing to stop landlord from evicting you, for no reason at all: (Thatcher's Housing Act, 1988).

    If it's cold in this weather, what's it gonna be like in February...
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    What harm does it do to ask?

    Does the landlord manage the property,or an agent? when is your next inspection due?

    Make a cake. Put the kettle on. Offer the LL tea then show him round the property, point out how welll you are looking after it, mention how long-term you would like to stay, and give him a list of maintenance items for his attention (eg that tile that fell off the roof in the recent storm).

    Then mention the cold floor and ask.

    He may say yes, he may not.

    Would you be prepared to cover the cost (or share the cost) if he

    a) agreed and
    b) gave you an extended fixed term (don't spend your own money on the property unless you can guarantee being there long enough to make it worthwhile.
  • rozevans
    rozevans Posts: 22 Forumite
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    We have got rugs, but to get rugs big enough would cost more than getting a cheap carpet it seems. Plus we won't need rugs of that size if we move so it's not something we want to spend any more money on than we already have.

    And of course we do wear slippers, but it's honestly so cold you can feel it through your slippers after a few minutes.

    Thanks for idea G M, it's the agents that manage it, the landlord specified they want every request to go through the agent to keep things 'professional'.
  • hammy1988
    hammy1988 Posts: 145 Forumite
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    Yes, no harm in asking! you've got nothing to lose. Sometimes there are sympathetic human landlords around... :D

    They may ask you to contribute though.

    Like I and others have said though, no harm in asking. Personally, I'd rather get some nice rugs/runners than some cheap basic carpet that doesn't last long at all, and you end up getting your deposit raided for when you leave.

    :)
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 14,603 Forumite
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    rozevans wrote: »
    ..........the landlord specified they want every request to go through the agent to keep things 'professional'.
    Was it the agent or the landlord that told you that?

    Nothing to stop you writing to landlord (I'd suggest copying agent also..)
  • rozevans
    rozevans Posts: 22 Forumite
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    It was the Landlord, they came to knock on the door to tell us a door was being replaced just after we moved in, and said then that unless it was an emergency or the agents were not responding then we should always go through the agent

    Ok thanks guys, I'll see if we can build up the courage to ask!
  • saajan_12
    saajan_12 Posts: 3,624 Forumite
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    There's no harm in asking, but don't be surprised if the LL asks you to contribute, or pay the full cost and return it to the current flooring when you leave. They may prefer the hard flooring as it is easier to clean, may look more modern/slick etc.
  • FBaby
    FBaby Posts: 18,367 Forumite
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    Or do consider that they could agree but then raise the rent when the contract is renewed.
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