To not put the house back to what it was?

[QuantumDog2]

I've rented the house I live in currently for nearly 9 years. When I moved in it was a new build and we were the first to live here, so obviously a buy to let. The walls were all trade paint magnolia and the carpets were cheap, exactly the way new builds are presented as standard.
Over the years I've decorated it and made some improvements like extending the patio and I spend £1400 on new flooring for the lounge because the carpet was worn out by that stage and looked grotty.
Now I'm leaving as I've bought somewhere with my partner, but contractually apparently I have to return the property the way I found it. I'm 6 months pregnant now and don't fancy donning my overalls and climbing ladders to paint. What would you do? I feel like after 9 years here and the time and money I've spent on the place (although my choice totally) I shouldn't really be penalised, but I expect I will lose my deposit?

Did you get permission to redecorate, replace flooring and extend the patio?

I would just leave it as it is. Hopefully the landlord/agents will take a sensible approach and you won't lose your deposit. I can't imagine they'd go to the effort of digging out the photos/inventory from 9 years ago to see what it should look like.

but contractually apparently I have to return the property the way I found it
Well then they can sue for the cost of making good. Extending the patio was a bit cheeky, in a house you didn't own!

@CottageOnTheHill

Did you get permission to redecorate, replace flooring and extend the patio?

To some extent, yes. I certainly asked about the patio and if I could paint. But I think I was warned then that I'd have to return it to magnolia. The whole house was painted in that horrible cheap watery magnolia paint they slap all over new builds that marks horribly at the slightest tough. I had no choice but to paint the house if I wanted it to look acceptable. I can't remember about the flooring to be honest. I think I asked, but I'm not sure now. 🙈

@GreyhoundG1rl

but contractually apparently I have to return the property the way I found it Well then they can sue for the cost of making good. Extending the patio was a bit cheeky, in a house you didn't own!

I asked for permission. When they say they want it back the way it was, they meant I can leave the improvements like my flooring and the patio, but I must make it rental market friendly with magnolia paint everywhere.

It depends how you've decorated and if you've got permission.

Light/neutral walls that arent magnolia but are a different shade of white/cream etc - fine.

A replacement neutral carpet similar in style to what was there - fine.

Feature walls in patterned paper to your taste, coloured walls, wooden floors,(doesnt muffle sound etc), coloured or patterned non neutral carpets.... probably not fine.

Why not just discuss with the landlord? If you offer some simple compromises and the property is in good condition it will probably be ok.

They'll keep your Deposit .. perhaps bill you for the work to be reversed..

I bet they don't remove the lovely flooring but will charge you anyway ..

They warned you they wanted it back to magnolia but you painted it anyway?

I suppose it depends what the landlord wants, if they don't object to your decor then they might be OK with it. But they'd be within their rights to ask you to pay for a painter too.

You'll be expected to paint it.

Has your landlord really done no maintenance on the property in nine years?

After 9 years they’d have to paint between tenants anyway. But yes, I’d expect it to be at least roughly magnolia- if you’ve painted it navy blue or something then it’ll be a nightmare to cover. If it’s just a different shade of off white I can’t imagine they’ll care.

@Postdatedpandemic

Has your landlord really done no maintenance on the property in nine years?

None. I've done it all. I've spent quite a lot over the years and now it looks lovely. I guess I'll lose my deposit because I really don't think I can be doing with repainting the place magnolia. They can use my deposit for a decorator I suppose. But I will be slightly miffed about the flooring being kept despite that.

Take your chances with the tenancy deposit scheme. After 9 years they would be hard pressed to take any money for paint; IIRC most things are expected to last about 5 years. If they don’t have everything properly documented with photos, and correct contract terms, they will likely find in your favour.

To add, I've contacted my landlord directly after the managing agents reminded me about repainting when I handed in my notice to leave. The landlord said everything back to plain cream walls please. At that point I told them I probably will not be doing this as I think they have a right to know. I tried to explain about being pregnant and not having time, but the bottom line is really that I can't be bothered. 🙈

It really depends what you have done. The way that you have written it sounds like you may have added value to the property. 9 years fair wear and tear on carpets etc you wouldn't expect brand new carpets but it depends what the contract actually says. I'd clean it up get I looking nice and clean (well looked after) make good any damage I there is any and if you are still in doubt ask the land lords opinion. I would imagine your deposit should be in a holding scheme and I think its hard for the landlord to justify keeping it as they often loose out.

Id think it really comes down to what your contract says and I they wish to enforce it and potentially take you to court to recoup their costs.

My tenants have just moved out after five years. They papered two walls in ‘feature’ wallpaper. You bet that I’ll be deducting the cost of making good from their deposit. It’s not to my taste and may not be to future tenants’ taste either.

They also had bloody cats without my permission and have ruined the carpets, so they will most likely end up paying me for replacements. I wouldn’t charge them if they had left the floors in a better state than when they moved in though, which it sounds like you have. But I wouldn’t reduce the cost of the other repairs as a quid pro quo.

I've spent quite a lot over the years and now it looks lovely.

No offence OP, but you think it looks lovely. Your landlord thinks that magnolia everywhere looks lovely too.

Surely in 9 years the landlord would be expected to re-paint ready for new renters. If you had left the magnolia they would need to refresh it anyway.
We rented for less time and didn’t paint at all but the landlord repainted when we left. Might even have painted once while we were there, after 3-4 years. They’re supposed to do maintenance.
Having said all that, if they said you have to change it back to magnolia at the time then you do really.

I wouldn't have spent out on a rental property especially when they can give you notice at any time.

Have you actually spoken to your landlord?

As an ex landlord, I think I'd be more concerned with the cleanliness rather than the colour of the walls! As long as the place looks nice and fresh and no weird colour schemes like satanic red and black walls, I'm sure you'll be fine.

They haven’t painted the house in 9 years. Sod that. I’d be annoyed OP. What colour have you a actually painted the house OP?

I’d would definitely argue you have lived there for nine years and they have paid £0 for normal maintenance so a repaint on them in wellll overdue

Surely in 9 years the landlord would be expected to re-paint ready for new renters. If you had left the magnolia they would need to refresh it anyway.

Refreshing current magnolia walls is much much quicker and cheaper than painting over walls that have been painted, say, navy blue or red.

@whatsmyusername

It really depends what you have done. The way that you have written it sounds like you may have added value to the property. 9 years fair wear and tear on carpets etc you wouldn't expect brand new carpets but it depends what the contract actually says. I'd clean it up get I looking nice and clean (well looked after) make good any damage I there is any and if you are still in doubt ask the land lords opinion. I would imagine your deposit should be in a holding scheme and I think its hard for the landlord to justify keeping it as they often loose out.

Id think it really comes down to what your contract says and I they wish to enforce it and potentially take you to court to recoup their costs.

Thank you for your advice. I've most definitely added value to the property over the years. It looks like a home now and I'm a bit OCD about things being just-so, so I've done an excellent job with the finish, if I may say so myself.

Some of the rooms are neutral (Dulux Egyptian Cotton in the lounge for example). But I've painted the kids bedrooms a bit more vibrantly and the hall stairs and landing are in Denim Drift, so definitely not neutral.

If you hadn’t painted it, it would still need a repaint.

Which would be cheaper - losing your deposit or paying a decorator to paint it all for you?

Do that.