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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask landlord to replace carpets

61 replies

Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:40

Been here 2 years place very dated not had a great deal to spend on it but tried my best however would like the carpets replaced and have suggested deducting cost from the rent.
Found carpets for £263 lounge, bedroom hallway.
Landlord is asking to go half and half but I dont have the money and too embarrassed to say that and also he has tried to sell the place previous so dont fancy the idea of spending out on it.
Now he is asking to do it next month but I suspect he is putting me off

OP posts:
Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:41

Oh and paid rent without fail for over 2 years and never asked him for much have put up with no central heating and polystyrene tiles on bedroom ceiling all of this time

OP posts:
QueenOfHell669 · 14/04/2020 18:44

As long as the carpets are still functional (and it seems so as they just look dated) I don’t think he should have to replace them, to be honest. How old are they? Do you have an approx age? It would be nice of him to but really it’s cosmetic benefit isn’t it? Unless they’re 20 years old and threadbare..
Also does the £263 include fitting? Seems suspiciously low if so. Otherwise who’s fitting the carpet or does he pay for that too? With the lockdown etc it seems a bit silly to put anyone at risk (the fitter, yourselves, etc) just for a new carpet when it doesn’t seem there’s anything wrong with the carpet you have.

mooching · 14/04/2020 18:45

If you do t have the money you need to be up front. Please don't be embarrassed about it. You may not get the carpet (landlord may also not have the money right now) but you shouldn't be forced into it and definitely not embarrassed. I say this as a landlord! Thanks

QueenOfHell669 · 14/04/2020 18:46

Also I wouldn’t pay it either it’s not your house but nor would I expect him to pay for it either unless it’s necessary and sadly it doesn’t sound like it is necessary

rwalker · 14/04/2020 18:47

Ceiling tiles need to go ASAP.
It's ok to rent out house without central heating but it's normally reflected how much rent is.
If carpets are servicable then TBH him offering to pay 1/2 is more than fair

Pipandmum · 14/04/2020 18:49

If the carpets are in a worn condition it is reasonable to ask the landlord to replace them at his expense.
I do not understand your post about the heating or tiles. Did the property have no central heating when you moved in - is it heated by electric radiators? The polystyrene tiles have no relevance to your argument - you agreed to rent it in the condition it was in at the time.
What are the terms of your lease?

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:50

Carpets are approximately 15 to 20 years old and are going threadbare

OP posts:
Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:51

The carpets will be bought online and fitted by partner

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LolaSmiles · 14/04/2020 18:53

Lack of central heating is usually reflected in cheaper rent than comparable properties and the ceiling tiles should go, but neither are relevant to you wanting a new carpet.

The carpet being dated isn't a reason to replace it, and the landlord is being reasonable saying go halves.

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:54

There is a blow air heater in the bathroom and a electric fire in the lounge that's it

OP posts:
Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:56

He has tried twice to sell the property at auction but it hasnt sold and potential buyers have viewed but still no sale and I suspect it's because it's so dated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 18:58

I dont even know when the electrics where last checked I asked him once but he isnt forthcoming with anything

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LakieLady · 14/04/2020 19:00

I'm quite surprised he managed to get an EPC rating of E (the legal minimum for rented properties) without central heating, unless it's incredibly well insulated, OP.

I'd be more concerned about effective heating than carpets, tbh. And ceiling tiles can be very dangerous if there's a fire, although I believe that those made in the last few years are more fire-resistant. I think I'd ask the fire brigade for a fire safety check (they're usually free).

You can often find second hand rugs really quite cheaply at auctions (not that auctions are being held atm, but they will be back on after lockdown ends). I'd get some nice rugs, that you can take with you when you move, and see what you can get him to do re improving the heating!

LolaSmiles · 14/04/2020 19:01

Him trying to sell is irrelevant. He's made a decision that he'd rather sell the property than put money into it. Auctions depend on who is there on the day and often people buy at auction to get a renovation project.

To be honest, if money is tight then I'd question why you're willing to put your own money into carpets for a house you seem unhappy with the state of that you know your landlord wants to sell at some point. Personally I'd be putting carpet money into a pot for a deposit on a new property.

Elouera · 14/04/2020 19:03

You've lived there 2yrs, so I'm unsure why its suddenly a priority now that we are on a lockdown? Also confused why the ceiling tiles have any relevance? Confused

Am I correct that your OH will fit the carpet, yet the landlord is suggesting you ALSO pay half the cost of the carpet? I'd suggest your OH provides an invoice of the cost he will charge to fit the carpet!!!

We are landlords and plan on re-painting the inside walls later this year. We wont be charging the tenants, as this is surely general upkeep, and its tax deductible anyways!

Fidgety31 · 14/04/2020 19:03

You can’t buy carpets and tell the landlord you will deduct it from the rent . That is not your decision to make .
Buy some large rugs and place them over the central areas of the carpets .

LakieLady · 14/04/2020 19:05

I dont even know when the electrics where last checked

New tenancies have to have an electrical safety certificate now, and I believe that existing tenancies will have to have them some time next year.

Your electric bills must be massive in the winter, with only electric fires/convectors/fan heaters.

WhenItIsOver · 14/04/2020 19:06

Polystyrene tiles are a fire risk aren't they? Fire Brigade might be able to advise.

TheDuckSaysMoo · 14/04/2020 19:07

As a renter I wouldn't invest anyone my cash in a place that the landlord has actively tried to sell. If I had cash to spare it would go on finding a better property.

TheDuckSaysMoo · 14/04/2020 19:08

*any of not anyone

pinkyredrose · 14/04/2020 19:11

Can you buy some rugs instead? Then you can take them with you when you move.

notapizzaeater · 14/04/2020 19:11

No way should you be paying, though I can understand why he doesn't want to pay if he's actively trying to sell it. Hope you aren't paying over the odds for what sounds like a sub standard property

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 14/04/2020 19:15

Oh dp has time on his hands to fit the carpet whilst on lockdown that's why

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Honeyroar · 14/04/2020 19:16

If he’s previously thought about selling it wouldn’t you be better looking for somewhere else anyway?

While you’ve found an incredibly cheap deal there, perhaps he just can’t afford it? But I don’t think it’s fair to ask you to pay half. Could you tel him you don’t have the money, but ask whether you could do half of the rooms with his money for now?

Legoandloldolls · 14/04/2020 19:17

I let a house out. A friend of mine was letting g somewhere and her landlord wanted to take the entire cost of recarpeting a room because her cat had peed in the corner. My friend then found a rule/ law?? That after three years of life a carpet is at the end of its life renting wise. I cant remember the details. So after 15 years your landlord probably needs to replace it. But he might have the cash either. I wouldn't pay if I was you. A better compromise might be to just get one room done at a time.

However I would worry about any tenant fitting carpets / tiles etc. If my tenants do that, they just pay the full back as it's there choice and they could bugger it up.