Landlords - are these requests reasonable?

[MightyAtlantic]

We've been in our flat for 6 years. In that time, the landlords have repainted the bathroom and the radiators, because we asked. We also asked if the hall could be repainted at the same time but they didn't do this. They haven't done any other maintenance. The property is managed by a letting agency.
Now, the paint in the hall is looking even grubbier. Also, the sofa is saggy to the point of being uncomfortable, ditto the lumpy mattress on our bed. The cooker is also extremely old fashioned, but still works. And the bedroom carpet is a hideous colour and has seen better days, but isn't actually worn.
Should we ask the landlords if they'll consider replacing these items? I think it's a bit cheeky as they're not actually broken and they've done us fine up until now. I think we should look for a new flat that's more to our current taste. DP thinks it's worth asking. If you're a landlord, what would you think about a request like this?

I should add that none of these items were new when we moved in, they've all clearly been in use for a number of years.

Landlady here. Beds etc I would expect my tenant to replace, 6 years is plenty of time in terms of wear tear.

My tenants ask if they can re-decorate, tenancy states they can so long as house is put back to original colour (all newly painted neutral when new tenants move in).

Cooker I would not replace as still working as you say.

Carpets etc, no. Would expect tenant to replace so long as colours are neutral. Often I will replace carpets before re-letting is badly worn but not during a tenancy. You would be amazed how many tenants get burn marks, nail varnish stains, foundation mark etc on carpet and then say it looks grubby.

Sofa, again would not replace.

These all sound like aesthetic issues rather than structural ones. If you're good tenants and have a decent working relationship with your LL, have a conversation. I would be open to such a conversation with certain tenants and others not so much.

*If badly worn

But if it's a furnished let why should the tenant replace a bed?

Similar position here we let a furnished flat - bed our LL did replace recently as it was really in bad shape, been her 5 years and it had seen better days when we moved in!

Bathroom and kitchen need some work, our bedroom carpet should really have been replaced before we moved in but it wasn't and now is really worn. Sofa is also really uncomfortable now and is approx 12 years old. Asked for them to consider a refresh and update to some things. They have dragged heels so now we move next week. Sad thing is they will now have to do all this anyway before a new tennant can move in!

We have never paid rent late, have replaced a number of the smaller kitchen appliances ourselves and also the hoover that was damaged by a leak. All in all we have been really reliable tenants.

Good luck to them is all I can say. Off we move to pastures new

Thanks - they are definitely aesthetic issues which is why I thought the requests might be unreasonable! I don't really want to buy a new mattress and then have to leave it for the next tenants. I'm leaning towards moving, just have to persuade DP!

Painting I would do, cooker I might if it was really old but the carpet and sofa probably not during a tenancy as furniture is a matter of personal taste. Mattress I might but I would be going for an Ikea one as they are cheap and firm and hard wearing.

Why don’t you get your own mattress if you’re bothered about it, and you can take it with you. Then you can have the type you want.

mumtobabygilrl sounds very similar! It is frustrating. Good luck with the move!

I should add that I have an Ikea mattress on my own bed and I think they are pretty good.

We don't have room to store the current mattress if we get a new one.

OP if it's a furnished flat, the bed should be replaced

I've had a landlord get a new mattress for me.

however, paint looking shabby - no. Cooker works - doesn't matter that it's old, it works and it's up to safety standards.

I would say that if the mattress is lumpy etc it is now worn and needs replacing, likewise the sofa. I’d ask the landlord to replace them.

My landlord would have, and in fact, she was usually the one to suggest on such improvements. She always wanted the place to remain in good condition and for us to be happy living there. As a result we had a great relationship and she had us as reliable tenants who looked after the flat as if it was our own for 10 years.

On a related note, do you think a LL would agree to the installation of an outside tap? I've got lots of plants in containers in the back yard (all flagstones) and it would be much easier if I could use a hose 🤔 I'd pay if I had to - should be a cheap job

very stupid question, beause I am in another country:

Do rented flats in your area generally include furniture?
And matrasses used by other people and not adjusted to you own needs?

Yes, most rented flats come with furniture. I would love to rent unfurnished and buy our own furniuture but it's very hard to find an unfurnished flat. I've been renting furnished flats for about 20 years and all the beds have come with mattresses.

When we moved in our house was furnished (badly) as it used to be a holiday let.

We've been here six years and gradually replaced the furniture ourselves. As it was let furnished then technically the LL should do it, in reality if we move out (which we will only do if he sells) then we will have our own furniture to take with us, and LL is not left with a heap of furniture to dispose of before he sells.

Meant to add that the mattresses will have been used by previous tenants.

I've never rented a furnished flat, they're all unfurnished around here! Definitely no big furniture like beds; mattresses or sofas.

I had no idea furnished flats included a mattress. I presumed you might get a bed frame but a mattress feels so personal.

In terms of your requests, OP, it's worth asking if you're thinking of moving anyway. They can only say no. It's quite a long list right now though, so I'd prioritise - you could fix up the shabby paint yourself and the cooker does work, so I'd be asking about the mattress and sofa.

My former landlords used to keep up a programme of replacements and while I was there both the sofas and the beds were changed - with me being asked my preference for keeping the double bed or having twins, and whether I wanted a firm or soft mattress!!

@MightyAtlantic Where on earth do you live?! I've never ever come across an unfurnished flat in 17 years of private renting

Most property around here iis unfurnished, even flats only come with white goods. A new mattress is a reasonable request as cheap ones don't last more than 8-10 years anyway, the sofa would need to be very worn out to warrant replacement

It costs £20 for a tin of paint. If I thought having a nicely painted hall way would make me smile when I walked into the house, I'd just buy it myself and do it. Its a fairly small cost for something that makes you happy. If you do it yourself you can have full say in the right colour as well.
Obviously would tell landlord I was doing it if case there was any objection.

LL here. I would provide paint but say do it yourselves. Wouldn't pay for a professional.

I would say replace the bed yourselves and treat the house as unfurnished. Same re sofa.

Carpets we would change every 10 years but that's because we used to live in the house and paid for VERY expensive 10 year carpet.

I think you could request as if you don't ask you don't get.

A good tenant is far more valuable and I would be inclined to help one that wants to stay long term who pays on time every month and keeps house in good condition.

I would think about your request and try and meet half way or if the house needs replacing then I would do it.

I found in London anyway (as both a landlord and a tenant) some flats may be furnished but most wont be and you need to provide your own furniture. Maybe it varies in other areas.