Decorating with a tennant in situ?

[BarbarianMum]

I'm a landlord who rents out a two bedroom flat "up north" and have been renting out said flat for 12 years. Until three years about was always tennanted by young professionals who would stay a year or two before moving onto the property ladder themselves or who would move away for work. During these years we'd refresh decor/clean carpets etc between tennants.

3 years ago I let the flat to a couple and their child. They are a lovely family and are great tennants. If there are any problems they report them immediately and are sorted asap.

What I'm wanting to ask is, what happens about decorating/ refurbishment when you have a long term tennants? I'm aware the living room is getting to the point where it could do with fresh paint, ditto the spare room. Also the carpets could do with replacing in the next year or two. I'm happy to pay for all of this but am nervous about inflicting all the disruption on my tennants? Do I ask them if they want It? And if they say no, then what? I don't want to upset them but if they're there for years I don't want them to be paying for a dingy home - but maybe it should be their choice?

What's normal in this situation please?

[specialsubject]

One way round it is to have a chat with them and see if by any chance they have a trip away planned. If so, would they like the place painted in their absence or prefer to be there?

Painting before carpets of course . but if they don't want it done, leave it. Fresh paint and new carpets are nice but if they don't want disruption, there is no risk to the property.

But I'd be surprised if the answer isn't 'yes please!'

[MoreProseccoNow]

I normally redecorate in between tenancies, not during, as it can be disruptive & inconvenient for tenants.

[Thatextrainch]

Gosh, you sound nice. Are you sure you're really a landlord??

As a tenant i'd appreciate being involved. In my home for example I wouldn't say it needs painting but it could do with new carpets shop if you began painting it would annoy me although I appreciate you want to keep your property in good nick.

I'd suggest asking if they are planning on going away at any point in the near future but some tenants are funny about people/workmen being in their homes whilst away.

[bojorojo]

If they would like it done, you can work round them. They don't have to do much and wouldn't move out if they owned it any more than you would. If they would rather not have it done, leave it for a bit but longer term tenants do need to be reasonable regarding repairs and maintenance. They do get the advantage of being there long term so a bit of give and take is reasonable.

[SnowGlobes]

We are currently renting and although not long term (hopefully will find a house soon 🙏🏻) I would be very happy for the rental to be painted whilst we were away. I'd not be very keen whilst there with the children as it is a disruption. Definitely see what they think.

[SilenceOfThePrams]

They might also be happier not to have it redone if they have small children with grubby fingers, they might prefer you to hold off until the children are a bit older. Alternatively, they might be glad of the chance to decorate it themselves in their taste, if you'd be happy for them to do that.

[schoolofconfusion]

I would be thrilled if you were my landlord and would stay with family or change rooms to accommodate

[ilovevenice]

I had an 8 year tenancy once and we only redecorated once during that time, at the tenant's request. It wouldn't occur to me to suggest redecorating a tenanted flat if the tenant hadn't asked for it - the walls won't fall down if they're not repainted. But we had a good relationship so I suppose I knew she'd ask for what she needed.

[grounddown]

I would love you as a landlord! We have been here nearly 3 years and the house needs a lick of paint (cheap magnolia gets grubby so quickly) but I'm half way through doing it myself - with the landlords permission. I didn't even think to ask him if he would contribute and he didn't offer.

[Frouby]

I was a long term tenant (9 years) and did all my decorating myself. The landlord paid half towards new carpets after 3 years as I knew I would be there a while and wanted better than a standard tenant carpet.

I would contact them and ask what they want to do. Do they want to do the work themselves and in their colour scheme and you will contribute materials. Do they want new carpets and do they want basic ones or want to contribute to an upgrade. Do they want to let you decide everything and them just arrange access.

You sound a lovely landlord and hopefully will reap the benefits with decent tenants.

[GotToGetMyFingerOut]

My husband owns a decorating company. Often the landlord will tell the tenant hes decorating and that he will get the decorater to contact them to work out a convenient time. Then my husband will arrange with tenant to go see job. Give quite to landlord and agree what's to be done. Then arrange with tenant a date for work to be done. Once completed invoice landlord for work done.

[BarbarianMum]

Thanks All,

Clearly talking to them about it first is the way to go. It's ultimately no skin off my nose if they'd rather not have the disruption, I'd just like them to know the option is there. It's a bit hard if the "reward" for long-term tenancy is ever-dingier living conditions.

[Dowser]

I have two houses. In one they do it themselves and the other has just become vacant.
I'm not fussy on being a landlord so I'm going to sell it. Will need to redecorate.
Do I need to recarpet or just clean them