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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dated rental property

83 replies

Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:22

That's my rental dated throughout.
Old fashioned bevelled glass doors, artex everywhere, 30 year old carpets painting outside, something needs doing in the garden to make it lower maintenance and a landlord who doesnt want to spend. I am happy in regards to area and the space I have layout etc.
Would you spend out of your own pocket to bring it up to date. I guess I'm just looking to see if folks on here have spent on thier rental or is it a daft idea what's the limits.

OP posts:
YouHaveNoAuthorityHereJackie · 21/03/2021 16:42

I would, and have. We moved into a property 2 years ago that had been freshly plastered and painted, new kitchen, but still has dated parts. We replaced the carpet in the front room as tbh it made me miserable. Good condition but a similar age to op and navy blue with pink floral pattern. It just looked awful with our furniture and I hated it. Replaced with neutral carpet for £400. I did it knowing we could be asked to leave at any time but knowing we have a decent landlady who knows we want a long term tenancy. The carpet in the back room is neutral and in very worn condition and we’re considering replacing that too. Renting is frustrating as we could more than afford a mortgage but struggle to save for the deposit on the size house we need. If this was our house there’s so much we’d do both to the house and garden.

Bluntness100 · 21/03/2021 16:43

No of course not. If he’s tried to sell it twice, if you do it up, he’s going to succeed the next time. You’ve three options.

Stay put and do nothing.
Buy it
Move to someplace better

But don’t be doing up someplace you know th landlord is trying to sell. That’s batshit.

blobblob · 21/03/2021 16:43

No don't spend. Try again to buy if you are in a position to. You can buy rugs, lamps, pots for the garden, things you can move with you.

If I were a ruthless landlord and saw my flat looking fresh and clean and nice I'd immediately think i'd be able to get a bit more on the open market either to let or to sell. (I'm niether a landlord nor ruthless Grin )

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:43

There is a electrical safety certificate now because I pushed for a electrical safety test

OP posts:
Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:46

Well he never sets foot in the place

OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 21/03/2021 16:46

Oh wow. If you had to push for an electrical safety certificate (a requirement now) I definitely wouldn't spend your own money. Especially as landlord has tried to sell the property.

It's a horrible situation to be in and you have my sympathy.

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:47

I have a friend that can do everything it needs for nothing it's just mayerial6

OP posts:
mamaoffourdc · 21/03/2021 16:47

I would buy it

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:48

Yes stellaris unfortunately I'm not that well off and my credit rating is dire.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 21/03/2021 16:48

You've saved his bacon then, because come 31st March he could be looking at up to a 30k fine without one!

SmokedDuck · 21/03/2021 16:48

I'd think "retro" rather than dated and spend rather less money to make it into a nice retro retreat.

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:49

The thought of trying to get another rental fills me with dread.

OP posts:
OchreBlue · 21/03/2021 16:49

No, I wouldn't because every landlord we've had has made up an excuse to keep our deposit, the last one was because we'd had a sky dish fitted that they gave us permission for. It specifically says in our contract that we are not allowed to do any kind of decorative or repair work, so I would check your contract carefully even if he agrees it could hold it against you. My relatives were told they could paint the walls in their rental flat and then the landlord kept their deposit when they left. I wouldn't risk it, I've been burnt too many times. Our letting agent actually told us of a tenant he knew who fitted a new kitchen and bathroom with permission because he wanted to stay there long term-the landlord agreed fully that he could stay long term while he did the work and then gave him notice and sold the house. Find somewhere else, what will he be like when you need something repairing? He's obviously not keen on maintaining it or investing in improving it. If you can live with it I would just get things you can take with you: curtains, mirrors, big rugs, etc.

purpleme12 · 21/03/2021 16:49

Retro 🤣 this did make me laugh in this situation

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:50

Yep Baroness I told him it's a legal requirement from April

OP posts:
Rewis · 21/03/2021 16:51

I've only ever spent minimal amount of money towards a rental. And in those cases it has been a convenience. Such as buying a new bolt for a shower screen or changing a door handle. Reason is that it was been so cheap that id rather pay than organize someone to come around.

I personally wouldn't spend my own money for a rental unless there was something that really bothered me or I knew for sure I'd be staying there 5+ years and even in those cases it would be paint etc. Wouldn't be renovating kitchen or changing carpets. I understand that some do a lot of work because it is their home and are planning on staying and that is understandable but it is not for me.

Spannwr1971 · 21/03/2021 16:51

I wouldn't. In the current economic situation, he might find himself having to sell it.

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 16:52

I've tried to make the best of it but it really does need some work.

OP posts:
OchreBlue · 21/03/2021 16:52

Why does getting a new rental fill you with dread? I would recommend going through a letting agent, the quality of properties have been better for us even though the prices are the same, and they ensure all the safety checks and maintenance is kept up.

Kindperson · 21/03/2021 16:52

We fully magnoliared our properties and said you can decorate and have pets and always expect to replace carpets and repair t between tenants. In 12 years this has only happened once. Because they stay and we always say it's their home. Including a 7 year tenant paying 700 a month being furloughed and waiving his rent for 3 months. If you want to be a landlord you must remember how much money they are earning you

purpleme12 · 21/03/2021 16:54

@Kindperson

We fully magnoliared our properties and said you can decorate and have pets and always expect to replace carpets and repair t between tenants. In 12 years this has only happened once. Because they stay and we always say it's their home. Including a 7 year tenant paying 700 a month being furloughed and waiving his rent for 3 months. If you want to be a landlord you must remember how much money they are earning you
Where are these landlords. 😭
Zig4zag · 21/03/2021 16:55

No we don't spend on upkeep.

It is common for the LL to say feel free to decorate in the hope that you will do it up then he can evict you at end of term and sell or whack up the rent.

MeanderingGently · 21/03/2021 16:56

I've rented for years and years, I actually prefer renting. I've always taken properties which I can do up if I want to....and have. One place I did loads to, it was in a really lovely situation and I stayed there about 10 years. Painted it all up, redid the carpets, wallpapered, put in different lighting and so on. I left it better than it was when I took it on.

My current rental is smaller as I no longer need the space, but I have redecorated throughout and made some other changes, re-carpeted parts of it....landlord quite happy as it'll always be a rental place. Personally, I feel if it's the home I live in, it's worth it. I've never seen it as wasted money.

Stellaris22 · 21/03/2021 16:59

@Kindperson why can't all LLs be decent and understanding like yourself.

We've been 'no reason given' evicted twice (once with a 6 month old) and finally found a decent LL, it's lovely to know there are LLs out there who are kind.

Zig4zag · 21/03/2021 17:03

[quote Stellaris22]@Kindperson why can't all LLs be decent and understanding like yourself.

We've been 'no reason given' evicted twice (once with a 6 month old) and finally found a decent LL, it's lovely to know there are LLs out there who are kind.[/quote]
Because most of them have the sole objective of making profit.

Some however are just not ready to sell their home (these are the better ones)