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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:
quicklybeingdrivenmad · 21/03/2021 17:06

As a landlord of a few properties had mainly amazing tenants, who if they even have a dripping tap or a squeaky door we send someone out, they are the ones I look after because they are looking after my properties (btw did not become a LL by choice) but one set trashed the place cost us thousands of pounds , so really hope we will be out of this soon, but as a LL my houses are up to date (as they can be grade 2 listed cottage, 1960s bungalow ) all certificates in place and rental agents run them

Kindperson · 21/03/2021 17:07

We allow for a 10 month out of 12 income at worst. We have rented. We know how little you can feel at home as a renter. Unless you are on homes under the hammer, how could you not be like that?

Lavanderrose · 21/03/2021 17:15

If you plan on living there for a while then I’d do the work and make it nicer. Whether we rent or pay mortgage we all want our homes to look nice.

Cocomarine · 21/03/2021 17:20

Landlord absolutely should be up to date with legal requirements - and that sounds like the case.

He doesn’t sound like a career property investor if he paid £48K and couldn’t even sell at auction, twice, for £45K.

Accidental landlord?

I wouldn’t expect him to update - but I would expect the rent to reflect that. The carpets and doors in my parents house are at least 40 years old. Not my taste - but they don’t need to be replaced.

Would I spend my own money?
Yes, if I was prepared to lose it.
Even though I’d be “giving” to the landlord, it might still make me happy, and I live there.
I’d restrict myself to things like fresh paint though.

If you’re not getting rent cheap enough to reflect that it’s tired - then I’d move.

MadinMarch · 21/03/2021 17:37

@clappingforjoy
How long have you lived in the property for?

BoJoHoNo · 21/03/2021 17:49

No I wouldn't spend any money doing up a rental on anything you can't take with you and definitely not for a bad landlord. Chances are if you improve the place he'll only try to sell it. If he's not very 'clued up' I'd be seeking advice from Shelter to make sure he's fulfillling his legal obligations to ensure the property is safe for you to live in.

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 17:51

I dread it because of my credit rating

OP posts:
Whammyyammy · 21/03/2021 17:52

£45,000. Wow, that's cheap..with a 10%/£4.5k deposit, the mortgage would be about £170 per month. How much is the rent?

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 17:53

I've lived there 3 years now rental is at lowest end in the rental market.

OP posts:
ViciousJackdaw · 21/03/2021 17:54

What can you do to zhuzh the place up for free? A 'deep clean' always helps a little but you've probably already done that. Check Freecycle for things like paint, weed reduction fabric, planters, etc. About the carpets, there's probably some Mrs Hinch-style tip to get them at their best or perhaps a friend has an all singing, all dancing vac they could lend you. Isn't there some thing you can do with a 2p piece to get your taps shining too?

Are there any small areas that could benefit from a rub with sandpaper and being painted back over? Loose screws/fittings that need a quick twist with a screwdriver to sort?

Don't spend good money but if it costs nothing or pence then you may as well - old but in good order looks much better than just old.

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 17:54

425 rent sickening isnt it whammy

OP posts:
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 21/03/2021 17:56

@purpleme12

Retro 🤣 this did make me laugh in this situation
Off topic, but I was looking at holiday rentals - found one in a brilliant location, but it was described as "with retro 70's styling". Complete with avocado bathroom suite. AND a cut out of Elvis leering at you in the bedroom.

More like no one could be bothered to update it in the last 50 years, or even clear out the crap.

Whammyyammy · 21/03/2021 17:58

@Clappingforjoy

425 rent sickening isnt it whammy
Definitely. You're paying his mortgage and the same again on top, and he's putting nothing back into it.

As time goes on rents go up, mortgage payments don't.

Could you gey the deposit of 10% or even %5? Then buy it/similar

Cocomarine · 21/03/2021 18:00

@Clappingforjoy

I dread it because of my credit rating
If your credit rating is low because you have outstanding credit to repay, then absolutely do not waste money on decor - I’d say that even if it was your own home.

If your credit rating is historically poor but no outstanding money owed, still don’t spend on decor, but save save save for a deposit. In an area that still has properties not selling at auction for £45K, you have a more realistic chance of ownership than other areas. Keep saving.

littlecrocodiles · 21/03/2021 18:05

Does the house have a current EPC? Gas certificate (if you have gas)? Handrails on the stairs? How big are the gaps between spindles and how high is the banister? How far do upstairs windows open? Smoke alarms?

I'd be worried if I was living in a house that hasn't been updated in 30 years

ClarkeGriffin · 21/03/2021 18:08

Nope not a chance. You'd be a fool of you did.

He's trying to sell his property. His property is not selling because its out dated. And you want to pay to update it out of your own pocket, for him to make a profit? Are you mad?

Save your money. Look for your own place to buy if you can with what you save.

therocinante · 21/03/2021 18:08

We've painted ours, put shelves in a weird alcove (that we'll leave when we move), and we're contemplating getting blinds put in the living room (again, we'll have to leave them as they'll be custom sized, but the current ones are hideous nicotine yellow office blinds), all at our own cost.

We asked permission and the landlord was unsuprisingly happy we were doing work to it. We could save £200ish (blinds included) not doing it but we live here and I want to not hate it while we're here.

The bathroom is HIDEOUS and I have been so tempted to retile it myself - it's tiny and wouldn't cost much - just so I can enjoy my baths in there without feeling like I'm in a 1940s sanitorium. It is wasted money, but so's renting - this is still our home and I want to like it.

But we're not concerned about the landlord selling any time soon and we're hoping to stay here until we buy in a few years, so that makes it an easier decision.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 21/03/2021 18:14

If you update it it will sell. If you want to stay there you are best doing nothing much to it at all.

Shoxfordian · 21/03/2021 18:17

Why is it sickening for a landlord to make a profit? It’s probably how he earns his living. Should they just break even with the mortgage? Stupid to spend any money on it when it’s not yours anyway

purpleme12 · 21/03/2021 18:19

I don't anyone thinks it's sickening to make a profit
I think people feel like that when it's at the expense of other things

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 18:23

I'm just disappointed I cant halve my costs by having a mortgage. I'm not very well off as I mentioned.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 18:25

I dont know his situation except he is a optician

OP posts:
BoJoHoNo · 21/03/2021 18:29

Why is it sickening for a landlord to make a profit? It’s probably how he earns his living. Should they just break even with the mortgage? Stupid to spend any money on it when it’s not yours anyway I'm all for decent landlords making a profit but this guy sounds like he's spent zero on maintaining the place to a legal livable standard for is tenant, which in turn would protect the value of his investment. If he bought it for £48k and has struggled to sell for £45k on a couple of occassions, the chances are he's doing something wrong. Also, what decent landlord doesn't take a deposit and protect it in the deposit scheme to protect his asset in case the tenant trashes the place?

Original poster
Clappingforjoy · 21/03/2021 18:34

It's a ground floor flat one other flat above.
Put smoke alarms in myself.
He obviously just bought the property but has never spent a penny on it.

OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 21/03/2021 18:37

It's wrong for a LL to make a profit at the expense of the safety of a tenant (having to be chased for electrical safety certificates) and they should maintain the property to a liveable standard. If a LL is making a profit and a tenant isn't safe, that's not right.

Being a LL should never be treated as a business where profit comes before the tenant.

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