New tenant has just moved in and on day one is demanding 2 rooms be painted. 1 room has an old slightly discoloured stain which has been there 3 years and was visible on viewing the property before contracts were signed. The other room (kitchen) I would say is in very good condition with a few slight chips (1mm) on 1 wall if you are really inspecting, but I’m very picky and would never have even noticed. I have marked these things on an inventory and there was no discussion on redecorating before the tenant signed contract for renting the flat and the flat was not advertised as being newly decorated or anything. Just FYI, It’s a really tidy and neat flat that was fully renovated about about 4-5 years ago.
This is just part of the demands, but the one I would like advice on. I assume I’m within my rights to say no as they agreed to rent it in its condition. Or I’m happy to say that they can paint it the same colour if they wish to, but that is at their time and cost?
The tenant is not from the UK, so I’m wondering if they have different expectations in their country.
Thanks
You can refuse if you wish or allow them to paint at their expense. If you opt for the latter, I would insist on professional decorators, not a diy job.
I would not let a tenant decorate in such a situation. I think it’s the tenant that you have not which country they are from.
This is likely the start of how things are going to progress ( in my experience it will only get worse). I would lay your boundaries down now . I would not let a professional decorator do it either. Professional is also a spectrum of quality.
If there was no discussion of these issues at viewing / inventory I would not entertain it now.
I think they have chosen you because you may be less experienced than other landlords.
You are well within your rights to say no as they took the property as seen.
Indeed which is why I would say, “If you want to do it at your expense, here is the only decorator I will allow to do the work.” and recommend someone you trust.
My advice is to make sure you don’t get into a conflict. I found it over the years it just leads to a further issues. Letting them to paint is not a good idea as the quality of the paint and work can cause issues further down. It is difficult to judge without seeing the condition but ideally they should have demanded before signing contract but it is unlikely if you consider that they usually want to secure the contract first.
Just wanted to add the newest demand from this tenant…
Her recycling bin has a 20cm crack in on the side mid way down. It doesnt effect use at all. It’s very strong and water tight. It’s £45 to replace with the council and she wants me to replace it. I think this is absolutely ridiculous. It fully works and doesn’t make it hard to use like a broken lid or bad wheels might. I wouldn’t replace it if it was my own bin as it works fine. I want to check if I’m being unreasonable as a landlord to not do this? It feels like an utterly over the top request. I’ve been so responsive and kind and I feel they are taking the mick! But want other views as my frustration is already very high with this tenant and their demands
If she wants one without a crack she can pay for it herself
In our borough you can’t replace them
We have two massive cracks in a grey bin and they won’t replace it
I’m another borough my mums brown bin was cracked
They would not replace it
The neighbours complained of the smell and it was changed without even telling us
My solicitor always says only do what you have a legal responsibility to not want the tenant wants otherwise you’ll be bankrupt
Not when I have asked
It was a while back
We have had a severely damaged one for 16 years
Its a grey bin and they will not replace it
Different boroughs may have different rules and the ruled may have changed
Unless your tenancy states otherwise, council services provided (including refuse collection) will be provided direct to your tenant by the local authority with whom they pay their council tax to. If they have an issue with these services, they need to contact their council. As a landlord I would not expect you to be responsible for their recycling bin. If the street lighting fails on the road, are they expecting you to fix it?
Thank you. Is there anywhere online that lists a landlords legal responsibilities? It would be really useful to reference for these silly requests. Or is it purely whatever is in the contract? (which makes no reference to the bins).
which is why a missing bin at the end of the tenancy comes off the deposit … as I recently had to do for a tenant who said her bin was stolen ‘ages ago’ and she’s managed fine without one and didn’t think to inform me at the time.