Tenant Fees Act issue with tenant wanting to replace furnished sofa

Landlord Discussion Legal
1

I have a furnished AST in England. My tenant would like to get rid of my sofa bed and use his own sofa instead.

I’m happy to be flexible as he’s a good tenant, but equally I don’t really want to be left buying a new sofa bed before the next tenancy because the flat was let furnished.

My current thoughts:

  • sofa stays in flat (which basically means I say not to his request as there is no space for 2 sofas)

  • tenant stores it and returns it at end (already rejected as too expensive)

  • tenant buys a replacement sofa bed now which becomes part of landlord inventory (rejected as he would like to buy a nice sofa and keep it)

  • tenant keeps ownership of his own sofa and pays something towards me having to replace the sofa bed later (haven’t proposed this to the tenant yet)

  • I just accept a loss on my part. The sofa bed does not need replacement as it’s in good condition, but it is 16 years old.

My letting agent thinks the last option is fine because effectively the tenant is asking for a change to the lease/inventory.

My slight worry is whether taking money for that could later look like a prohibited payment under the Tenant Fees Act, even if the tenant has a free option of just leaving the sofa where it is.

Any thoughts or advice?

2

@thesaver79 how about tenant sells your sofa for you and pays you what they get for it? Or donates the £ to your favourite charity. A 16y old sofa bed cant be worth a lot?

Which is more valuable to you - keeping a good tenant by letting rhem furnish and feel it’s their home, or refusing and making them consider leaving sooner.

Personally I’d consider requests like this (and to eg paint walls) much more favourably if i think they want to stay long term in which case some flexibility is worth it and an investment in them stating. Probably wouldnt put expensive furniture in a rental or offer if theyve been there only a short time

Good luck

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