tenant painted house

[momwhereismy]

I am renting out our house and tenants living there 3 months. When they were moving in the dad said he might paint one of bedrooms for his son. I said fine. Now I get text saying he has painted whole house at 130e. Before I rented it out I had painted kitchen, hall, landing and utility and bathroom. Now he hasn't asked for money but not sure I am to offer. I'm sure he will ask. I am far from loaded and had to move as a necessity. And at the moment having cashflow problems. Who should pay

[Catsarebastards]

He should pay of course. You definitely shouldnt offer. Why would you? He chose to decorate- his cost.

[momwhereismy]

Thanks. I felt I was being unreasonable. I don't want to lose the tenant as obviously he is more valuable than paint but I am a bit annoyed about no permission as well. Hopefully he won't ask!

[BadcatBertram]

I wouldn't expect my landlord to pay for the paint, or anything really, other than repairs. I even paid for the carpets to be professionally cleaned when I moved into my rented house because I agreed to rent the property as seen.

[Hoggle246]

No way should you pay it was his decision. If he wanted you to pay he would have needed to ask you beforehand and to make it clear that he felt you were under obligation to pay because of it's current state. Which doesn't sound the case here. I've painted rental places I've lived in before and wouldn't have dreamt of billing the landlord if I was doing it just because I fancied it.

[Comito]

No, you shouldn't offer any money. He chose to do it. Furthermore, I'd make sure he plans to return it to the same colour (or acceptable colour to you) when they move out.

I've painted rental properties I lived in in the past but always with agreement of the landlord, paid for it myself and asked if they wanted me to paint it back when I left. They always said no - probably because I was painting a livid pink bedroom white for example - but I'd rather have forked out for a tin of paint than live with that decor monstrosity.

By the same token, my tenant asked me if he could redecorate and I said yes. He paid for it himself and will return it to the plain white walls when he leaves.

[wowfudge]

I thought you were going to be ranting the tenant had painted the place some god awful colour scheme!

Just let him know you expect to be asked beforehand if he wants to take on any further projects.

[Sunnyshores]

He obviously hasn't read the tenancy agreement, all say no redecorating without landlord permission. So Far from feeling like you owe him, make damn sure he knows he has to ask first. Same for putting up shelves, pictures...even if they improve the property he has to ask.

[momwhereismy]

Thanks everyone, I haven't seen it yet so not sure of colour scheme
I don't mind really I just don't want to pay for something when I had done it already 3 months ago.
Stick to my guns so thanks :)

[specialsubject]

he wants you to pay for redecorating the house, that didn't need it and when you didn't give the go-ahead?

tell him where to go. The way it works is:

• if he wants to change stuff he asks, buys all the materials and does the work.
  
• only if something is worn out would you consider paying him to do it.
  

hope he knows what he is doing - we let tenants paint a place (after a previous lot had done it very well) and they were clearly clueless. What a mess.

[momwhereismy]

I gave him a call about something else and he just mentioned he had painted the house at cost of 130 and then changed subject. So that's why I was wondering whether I was to end up paying as I felt bad about saying no if he did ask.

I rang him back about an hour ago pretending it was to re confirm something but he happened to say BTW I don't want paying for the paint I was just letting u know. So at least he doesn't want to me to pay. I would have been re painting when he moved out anyway!
Yes I am a doormat. :D

[Catsarebastards]

Ooh perhaps hes a MNer and saw this thread!

[soundedbetterinmyhead]

I don't think you sound like a pushover, I think you sound like a reasonable person who wants your tenant to feel at home in their actual home but, quite reasonably, doesn't want to end up paying extra for that.

[momwhereismy]

Perhaps he is
Thanks sounded pats self on back

Its all ended well. Thanks everyone

[thornrose]

Maybe he is trying to make sure you see him as a good tenant.

I rent my flat and have no contact with the landlord, it's all managed by a letting agency. They do 3 monthly inspections and I like to show them how well I'm looking after the place. I love the flat and ideally want to stay forever long term.

I repainted the kitchen and bathroom with really good quality paint as I knew the landlord wouldn't (very different to you obviously!) I am proud to show off the garden which I have improved massively and at cost to me, but I love it and get a lot of pleasure out of it. I hope it feeds back to the landlord and puts me in a good light.

[WantToGoingTo]

Don't offer as he didn't ask. If he asks, offer to pay for the cost of painting son's bedroom as he asked about that first, as a compromise. But really you shouldn't pay as it was his decision to change the paint.

When I was a tenant I revamped a chest of drawers which was in the house (it was part furnished) but I did so because the peeling paint offended me! I didn't ask for money, I saw it as part of being a good tenant. (Though was mightily peed off when landlord charged me cleaning costs when I left; the house was spotless and sure he was just being money-grabbing!)

[WantToGoingTo]

Oh sorry just read back! Good outcome :)