I had to replace the ‘lighting’ wiring following an electrical safety report of a 1965 built semi… Channels had to be cut into the walls in 8 places, which were then plastered. I want to make good the decoration but the tenants say they don’t need it doing and are within their rights to refuse to this non-essential work. Where do I stand?
sounds like idiots to me not wanting it decorated Have you asked them why?
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Hi, thanks for your reply. They say they’re okay with it and it’s up to them if they want to live with it in that condition. Previously, I had several quotes from decorators and planned the work. When I called around with the decorator who I had chosen, to discuss timing and making the rooms accessible they said they had asthma and couldn’t deal with the paint smell. The decorator offered them odourless paint but they wouldn’t let me in. Had a meeting with them yesterday and they don’t want the work done.
They are being disrespectful. I would say that the ast would allow you entry to do this. It’s your choice not theirs. Would be in breach of tenancy agreement.
Water based paint generally zero odour.
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They are citing: The right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ protects tenants from unnecessary interferences in order to maintain a high quality of life.
I would get rid of these idiots at first opportunity.
There’s needs to be a reasonable two way relationship, not a fight to get reasonable things done.
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That’s what I thought, I just couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t want it done and was there anything else going on that I didn’t know about.
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Personally i would only insist on maintenance that would cause long term damage if it wasn’t done. Decoration is for the tenant to live with in their home. The only thing i would care about with regards to decoration is that tenants are happy and its condition at end of tenancy. What its like during tenancy is irrelevant, I’m not living there so has no impact on me.
It does sem a bit strange the dont want it decorated but if they have otherwise been good I’d just leave it. They are probably just a bit fed up as the rewire was probably inconvenient for them.
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Thanks for these thoughts. It’s good to be able to seek others’ opinions; As a private landlord, I don’t have anyone else to discuss this with who are knowledgeable on these matters.
Rishard is correct . A rewire is very disruptive . it might be worthwhile getting it in writing that they do not want redecoration. Just in case at a later date they say "and the landlord did not even redecorate "
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I still think it’s unreasonable to deny you, the property owner the right of entry to decorate your property.
Rewiring is very distributive, yes, the dust from chasing in cables covers literally everything. Far more disruptive than painting and wallpapering.
Even if the work is delayed for several months, it should still be done.
What if you need to show new tenants round because your current ones give notice to leave? It will look bad and could make you look like an unreasonable landlord for leaving place in such a state.
As above, you cant insist on non-routine maintenance. If they have put their request in writing you should be covered.
I would make sure you keep up a regular inspection regime though. I would be suspicious of tenants who dont want visits from their landlord.
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Thanks for that, when I did meet with them I did say that I would be doing monthly checks for the next 3 months to ensure the inside and outside were being well maintained.
Reading between the lines I think they thought I was wanting to re-advertise and wanted it to look good for any prospective new tenants without it having to be empty and me not receiving rent whilst work was done on it.
Thanks to everyone for their comments.
Agreed. Also, get plenty of pictures of the areas where the rewiring has been completed and their decorative state.
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this happened to me, it was not even whole house, it was just the bathroom paint needed, tenants refused saying they donot want to deal with the painter coming in and painting saying they are allergic to dust, it was just 1 day job. Challenged rudely citing quiet enjoyment and that if I disagree will complain to the council. Some tenants think of what they would like and done as abd when it suits them, not what what how you would like to maintain the property.If the condition of the property goes down further because if not having a timely action, you can probably justify deductions later. However, in my case I was pleased they left.
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