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Original poster

To not put the house back to what it was?

728 replies

QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 21:55

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?

OP posts:
SussexBonfireViking · 02/10/2021 11:17

@Pinkfluff76

That’s ridiculous. Very stupid letting agency. No one likes magnolia. Paint it with watery paint. Idiots
actually, I quite like magnolia, its a subtle cream, thats not pinky or too white. I know its really unfashionable, there is a reason its popular
billy1966 · 02/10/2021 11:23

Do it after you have moved out.
White wash it in cheap white paint.
Get a price for how much it will cost you versus your deposit.

If you are not saving much, just leave it but strip the place of everything you have added, flooring and patio etc..

FluffyTeddyBear · 02/10/2021 11:35

Condition, not colour. Tell them to fuck off. The condition is an improvement Grin

mathanxiety · 02/10/2021 14:32

I think I would compose a letter to them outlining the flooring and patio improvements and the exact amount you paid for each.

I would inform them that you intend to take out the laminate and patio you had installed, to comply with their directive. I would provide a quote from a cheap painter for painting the entire place magnolia, and a quote for cheap carpet plus installation.

To your deposit I would add the cost of the flooring and patio installation, and explain that the house was advertised for rent with both in situ, and apparently a tenant was secured.

I would then subtract the painting and carpeting quote. The total would be the amount they owe you.

Noodella18 · 02/10/2021 16:27

Well landlord has played a blinder, it's a win win for her now.

  1. You leave everything because face it, removing and replacing everything will be a hassle and expensive, so she is up a patio and floors and will knock the paint off the deposit.

  2. You remove and replace everything and paint the walls - no skin off her nose if she has people who have signed the tenancy agreement on the understanding they won't be there.

  3. You paint the walls and leave the rest. Which is all that she wants anyway.

I'd cut your losses OP. Honour your agreement to change them back to the magnolia and this will all go away. You've got a baby on the way and are about to move house, just let it go.

ChateauMargaux · 02/10/2021 17:08

Look at the link posted above and quote the reasonable wear and tear and useful life of a coat of paint in your response followed by, I can see that you are insisting that I repaint the house after 9 years, I dispute this and if we need to refer this to external arbitration, then that is something you will have to decide .

whynotwhatknot · 03/10/2021 23:44

Id definitely takr up the nice flooring now-they want it how it was right

Chulainn · 04/10/2021 03:21

I would email back saying something like "to clarify, the landlord wants the house back to what it was at the commencement of the tenancy which will involve painting the entire property magnolia, replacing curtain poles and light fittings with the originals, replace laminate flooring with carpet..." and include any other improvements that you made and can replace with similar to what was there at the start of your tenancy. Your LL might back down if they realise they'll lose the floors. They probably haven't factored that in and have used it as a selling point for the new tenancy. I'd also mention that the walls weren't properly painted due to the drying of the plaster, as they are fully aware of, but you will endeavour to replicate the original 'mist magnolia' look. You might find you confirming you are taking their words very literally might make them rethink.

In4mation · 04/10/2021 09:39

Well if you are losing the deposit anyway then what’s to stop you trashing the place as well?
I know you won’t op, but many would.

Tinkywinkydinkydoo · 04/10/2021 09:48

I haven’t read the whole read so I apologise if it’s been mentioned, but if you take up the floor do you still have the original carpet/flooring? Or will you have to purchase new carpets? I would also stress on the fact about you taking up the flooring and all other improvements you made as like many others have said, it’s been rented out with that flooring etc in mind. You could always sell the flooring, I’m sure a reputable builder or decorator would take it all up properly if you sold it cheap?

IM0GEN · 04/10/2021 21:22

@In4mation

Well if you are losing the deposit anyway then what’s to stop you trashing the place as well? I know you won’t op, but many would.
Because it’s a crime and the letting agent will call the police.
whynotwhatknot · 08/10/2021 12:03

Any update op

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 09/10/2021 11:15

Could have put it back as it was in the time it's taken op to be on this thread.

Pinkfluff76 · 09/10/2021 13:11

She’s pregnant and doesn’t want to paint…

Amiwronghere · 09/10/2021 21:19

I’d just forget
About the deposit at this stage.

itsallgoneshitflavoured · 28/10/2021 23:50

This is my thread. I can't log in to the account I created it under, so cannot assume my original username.

I tested positive for covid about 12 days ago now. I've been feeling pretty terrible and isolating at my new home. But checkout day for the rented house was looming and it became apparent that the agent wasn't going to allow me to have an extension on that. They were ringing and emailing me constantly to get the key back.

The day after my official date for vacating the property (which happened to fall on a sunday) I got up early and dragged myself to the car and drove for an hour back to the rental house. I spent 6 hours cleaning and making sure everything looked okay, and I just felt like death the whole time. Anyway, whilst there agent called me again and said they need the key. I told him I'd got Covid and apologised for the delay, and he insisted I finish up and return the key to the office. So I did. I drove down there, donned my mask, cracked the front door open and shouted to the receptionist that I'm Covid positive and they should send someone out or let me post the key or something. Some woman came and was pretty rude to me about the whole thing. I threw the key down on the doormat and left.
Now the agent keeps sending me sniffy emails about how I didn't tell him I was Covid positive and shouldn't have come to the office. We've been back and forth a number of times now with him insisting I'm lying and that I didn't behave responsibly. I don't even know why it matters now, after the event. What's done is done. I can only assume he's covering his arse from his superiors finding out he harrangued a covid posistive person to come to the offices. It's all so bizarre.

BadNomad · 29/10/2021 00:05

Um he probably assumed as you were out and about that you meant you had Covid. Past tense. Not that you were currently infecious and meant to be in isolation!

Pinkfluff76 · 29/10/2021 09:06

What horribly agents. Hope you’re feeling ok OP!

Pinkfluff76 · 29/10/2021 09:06

Horrible

SuperstoreFan · 29/10/2021 21:26

You were meant to be isolating, why weren't you?

Noodella18 · 29/10/2021 22:42

Did you tell them you were covid positive before the day to vacate?

Kipperandarthur · 29/10/2021 23:28

@Noodella18

Did you tell them you were covid positive before the day to vacate?
This.

Did you actually tell them you had covid just prior to vacating the property?

Why were you not isolating but cleaning with covid.

itsallgoneshitflavoured · 03/11/2021 10:03

Yeah, they knew I was sick with COVID and at home isolating. It was stressed to me on the phone that I HAD to go and clean and clear the house by the agent. So I did. I got in the car, went straight there, saw no one, did what I had to do and planned to leave. But whilst there the agent called me again and said I need to drop the keys down to the office. I went there and refused to enter the building, insisting that they send someone out. I was masked up and stood about 4 meters from her.

Thehop · 03/11/2021 10:30

@QuantumDog2 I’m so sorry they stuck to wanting it replaced. Your upgrades were lovely.

I can’t imagine the bee tennant will be very impressed when they move in and it’s such a downgrade from what they actually viewed!

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