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Original poster

Candles in rented property?

87 replies

RobinsAreTerritorialFuckers · 03/07/2016 23:04

Our landlady came round the other day for our first routine inspection (we've been there six months). She seemed very happy with everything and I think we are very tidy and careful. One thing was a bit odd - she saw we had candles and told us she hoped they were decorative, and could we not burn them because candle smoke would mean that she'd have to redecorate in a few years.

I do know that candle smoke does eventually have an effect, though I think cheap tealights are the worst for it and we don't have those. But I'd assumed it would be part of wear and tear - just like anything else you might choose to do. Obviously, the tenancy agreement doesn't make any mention of candles!

What I'm wondering is: if you're a landlord, is this something you would genuinely feel worried about, and/or feel it was reasonable to ask tenants not to do?

OP posts:
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 03/07/2016 23:08

I think that's nonsense. I am a landlord and I'd expect to have to redecorate/retouch every few years if I were between tenants.

I want people to enjoy their home, burning a candle is hardly raucous, damaging behaviour. She's an idiot.

FWIW- We have had the same tenants for 7 years (since we vacated and became accidental landlords). They do wee touch ups here and there if they make a noticeable scuff on a wall etc because it's their home and they want to keep it looking nice.

PinkyofPie · 03/07/2016 23:08

What a load of shit. She can't tell you not to burn candles, unless it's in your tenancy agreement

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 03/07/2016 23:09

We aren't allowed candles.
Fire risk.
No birthday candles.
No bbq.

We must have the worst tenancy agreement ever...

Loads of other weird stuff on it...

CodewordRochambeau · 03/07/2016 23:10

It's only cheap candles made from paraffin wax which leave sooty deposits. Soy wax candles burn cleanly.

TheWindInThePillows · 03/07/2016 23:12

My tenancy says no candles at all due to fire risk.

bluelady7 · 03/07/2016 23:14

Don't worry, she is being very unreasonable. No doubt you are paying her a lot of money to rent the property and have a perfect right to light a few candles. Some of these landlords make me so angry with all their rules about what you can or cannot do in their property, when the tenants are paying an arm and leg to live there and fund/pay their mortgage/investment/retirement fund.

scaryteacher · 03/07/2016 23:18

I don't think that is in the agreement for my tenants, and we rent abroad, and I don't think it is mine either.

Given that both properties have open fires, and we use those, as do our tenants, candles seem like a small risk.

whois · 03/07/2016 23:19

Nonsense.

As a LL you expect to redecorate pretty frequently anyway!

Crunchymum · 03/07/2016 23:24

WhyCantI tell us more about your weird tenancy agreement!

Original poster
RobinsAreTerritorialFuckers · 03/07/2016 23:30

Thanks all!

Yes, I thought it was odd to say they'd have to redecorate - as surely that is par for the course.

I don't think she was really throwing her weight about - more, I wondered if this was something a LL would actually think of as a bad thing, enough not to want to keep us on when we come to renew? Obviously a few candles are no big deal and I'm a bit gutted that we'd taken trouble to make the place really super tidy, hoping she'd be pleased and want to keep us.

I don't think the fire risk issue comes into it, as it's a house with gas hobs, and my understanding is that those are responsible for more house fires than candles, though I could be wrong there.

OP posts:
Pinkheart5915 · 03/07/2016 23:33

I've got a few properties and I don't care if candles are used how strange! Confused I redecorate my rental properties every few years anyway.

I use candle in my own home most evenings and they've never caused me to have to re decorate.

Benedikte2 · 03/07/2016 23:38

She's being unreasonable. I'd use the candles and just make sure I put them out of sight when she comes round to inspect. She has to give you notice anyway.

LemonySmithit · 03/07/2016 23:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pinkheart5915 · 03/07/2016 23:41

As a landlady I'm shocked at some of these tenancies, no bikes, no candles, no BBQ, no birthday candles.

I've rented mine out for years and never had any problems caused by any of the above things

ghostspirit · 03/07/2016 23:45

gosh i wish some of you were my landlords mine are awful :(

no birthday candles or bbqs thats madness.

dowhatnow · 03/07/2016 23:50

I'd have to check but I don't think we have such a clause. If there is, it's the agency and not us. What a weird thing to be worried about. We want our tenants to take care of the house but we also want them to enjoy living there. It's their home and we want them to treat it as such and hopefully stay for as long as possible.

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 03/07/2016 23:52

My Dad used to complain a bit when I lit them in my room as a teenager because of the mess the 'smoke' makes (not fire issues, I was tidy & careful). Typical teen I just rolled my eyes & carried on. But when I later looked at my, reasonably new, dusky pink curtains (it was the 80's!) you could definitely see the 'smoke' on them. So yes, I imagine they make the need to decorate come around sooner. Plus the mess of it, if you wash the walls down first.

I only rarely light candles at home now, partly for that reason.

The thing with decorating is that you do it when you need to, things that make it need to be done sooner aren't ideal. It's why a lot of smokers chose to smoke outside at home. Of course candles aren't as bad as cigarette smoke, but the principle is the same.

As a landlord I'd be inwardly groaning, but if the place was clean and being looked after I wouldn't say anything. I'd rather have someone like you lighting candles than someone who cared less about their environment. I'm sure she'll want you to stay 😊

hollinhurst84 · 03/07/2016 23:54

I can add to the weirdness. But mine is an apartment (owned by me) and it's the agreement thing
No washing visible - so I can't have a washing line in my own garden
Except the garden apparently is communal. But the only access to it is via my apartment Hmm
Only pets allowed are fish and one caged bird
There was something about decorating in approved colours but I can't remember it. My dad read it and went Hmm "please, please can we paint just one wall black now I've read that?!"
Oh and inspections apparently Hmm but I've never had one

Primaryteach87 · 04/07/2016 00:13

We've rented privately in a number of properties for 10 years. My parents are LLs. I have never had an issue over using candles. We have had permission for a cat. We have put up pictures with permission. We have had BBQs and swings. My parents' tenants are the same.

It amazes me what restrictions some people are living with. How can it be your home?? I just wouldn't sign a tenancy with silly conditions ...

Justbeingnosey123 · 04/07/2016 00:21

I agree it's ott and seems unreasonable on the landlords part, however to protect yourself I would check through the renal agreement as it sounds as if by mentioning I presume in writing about the candles she is potentially setting up a reason to not return security deposit. My 1st flat hand a lease hold agreement that stated no tv or radio after 21.30 I had changed on moving in, but the point stands it's amazing what some people will put into the small print on agreements

Pinkheart5915 · 04/07/2016 00:24

No tv after 21:30 blimey Shock

KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 04/07/2016 00:26

I once had a LL who said I couldn't dry myself in the bathroom, it had to be in the bedroom.

This was because of 'damp'.

I hated renting...

Pinkheart5915 · 04/07/2016 00:27

king Outrageous!

I like my tenants to treat it as I would my home all I ask is they look after it no silly rules some of these are crazy!

Justbeingnosey123 · 04/07/2016 00:31

Lol it's insane also had conditions about cleaning the windows at least monthly, in a 2nd floor flat and no pets whatsoever even fish! This was buying leasehold as well some people are very pedantic in the small print!

GiddyOnZackHunt · 04/07/2016 00:31

I did nearly burn my own house down with a candle Blush

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