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AIBU?

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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:
fucketyfuckwit · 13/09/2021 22:59

[quote elbea]@fucketyfuckwit I’ve retained many deposits for redecoration. There is a huge monetary difference between touching up magnolia and painting over dark blues (surveyor)[/quote]
After a 9 year tenancy?

Original poster
QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 22:59

@HouseOfRunners

All your landlord will be able to claim is the cost of the paint - speaking from experience. (If you’d left my house like that I would have been overjoyed!!)
I think it's just going to be a case of waiting to see. Personally I wouldn't press for redecoration if I was the landlord, I think I'd just be happy it was clean and nothing damaged and that I'd not been bothered with maintenance issues over the last 9 years.

That and the fact that a single mother has paid the mortgage for 9 years, I don't think I'd want to take any money off her. But then I am a bit of a pushover myself.

OP posts:
NCBlossom · 13/09/2021 23:01

Returning the walls to cream is fair enough. Everything else can stay I imagine. But most landlords will not want to have to claim on costs so why don’t you negotiate and offer a very small amount or just say the added benefits balance out the cost of the repaint.

Iamthewombat · 13/09/2021 23:01

You may get something if the cats have scratched them [carpets] badly though.

Yes, big holes. And as a PP says, touching up magnolia walls is nothing compared to stripping off wallpaper from a previously painted wall, smoothing the wall and then painting it magnolia. So I’m with the OP’s landlord: leave it as you found it, with an allowance for reasonable wear and tear.

Original poster
QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 23:02

So just to wrap this up in my brain...I'm going to leave it as it is, just make sure the place is scrupulously clean. I'm not invited to be present for my 'checking-out' with the agent due to Covid regulations apparently. They will notify me if I'm being docked any deposit.
If that happens, what do I do? Do I appeal it? Is there a correct procedure for appeal?

OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 13/09/2021 23:02

After a 9 year tenancy?
Painting over a dark colour will be more labour intensive than painting over cream whenever you do it... The 9 years is completely irrelevant.

Hopeisnotastrategy · 13/09/2021 23:03

You signed a contract. You will be expected to fulfil it.

Original poster
QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 23:04

@GreyhoundG1rl

After a 9 year tenancy? Painting over a dark colour will be more labour intensive than painting over cream whenever you do it... The 9 years is completely irrelevant.
This is a fact I can't dispute, yes. However, I think (and I may well be wrong) that the house will let easily without any need for redecorating by the landlord. Whereas if I'd left the cheap trade magnolia on the wall it would be a full ceiling to floor job throughout.
OP posts:
scarpa · 13/09/2021 23:05

Not really your question, but I'd be so delighted if we could find a rental that wasn't fucking magnolia.

First thing we did when we moved into ours was get permission to paint and redecorate the entire house from nicotine-yellow magnolia (freshly done, but an AWFUL yellowy offwhite). It looked like a 80s dentist waiting room when we moved in. Landlord is selling the place whenever we leave (and it'll go to a developer - it's a shithole which needs 50k of work minimum) so I've no intention of painting it back!

fucketyfuckwit · 13/09/2021 23:05

@QuantumDog2

So just to wrap this up in my brain...I'm going to leave it as it is, just make sure the place is scrupulously clean. I'm not invited to be present for my 'checking-out' with the agent due to Covid regulations apparently. They will notify me if I'm being docked any deposit. If that happens, what do I do? Do I appeal it? Is there a correct procedure for appeal?
Yes, depending on what they want, if you don't think it is fair then you tell them you wish to dispute it, take lots of photos before you leave to show the condition it was left.

That is your evidence.

Keep us posted!

maddening · 13/09/2021 23:07

Ask the landlord to come and see it, advise that you think it is better than when you took it so it seems a.shame to paint over, he/she may have a mental picture nothing like your house as it is.

whatk8ydid · 13/09/2021 23:07

I'd be beyond disappointed if I viewed a flat decorated very nicely like that, then moved in to find it had all been repainted bloody magnolia. Could you send the landlord a few pictures? Maybe upon seeing it, they'd have a mild rethink. Hopefully at the very least, they'll ask the new tenants what they'd prefer before changing it all.

LumpyandBumps · 13/09/2021 23:07

I’m a landlord and whilst I don’t like extreme colours, after 9 years I’d expect to redecorate anyway.
I like your hall colour, and it could easily be the case that a new tenant would like it too.
I would also expect to replace carpets after that time, and would see it as a bonus if the tenant had bought one which could still be used.
I would be refunding your whole deposit.
I hope your landlord is reasonable.

Original poster
QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 23:07

@fucketyfuckwit Right, thank you. Photos! I wouldn't have bothered, so that's enormously helpful. x

OP posts:
Summerfun54321 · 13/09/2021 23:08

That denim drift colour is lovely! But unfortunately I doubt the landlord will care and will also want a pretty penny for the 3 coats of magnolia it’ll need to cover it.

TomFuckery · 13/09/2021 23:08

I had tenants who did a flowery feature wall and a 'family tree' monstrosity in the hall. Asked for it to be put back to neutral before they left and they literally gouged out grooves in the wall to get the paper off.
That denim colour's going to be a bugger to cover with mag, don't be surprised if your LL keeps your deposit

TomFuckery · 13/09/2021 23:10

Although saying that.....it does actually look really nice!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 13/09/2021 23:10

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

Entirely you choice. But I would have asked the landlord to refresh it.

I've painted the kids bedrooms a bit more vibrantly and the hall stairs and landing are in Denim Drift, so definitely not neutral

No idea what colour 'Denim Drift is' but it sounds as though you have turned a neutral rental home (yes, magnolia) into your own home (personalised colours) and your landlords have asked you to return it to neutral.

I've done an excellent job with the finish, if I may say so myself

But as that's not what was in the contract and you can't be bothered; I would expect a hefty redecorating bill. You definitely won't get your deposit back. What a cheek!

Original poster
QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 23:11

@whatk8ydid

I'd be beyond disappointed if I viewed a flat decorated very nicely like that, then moved in to find it had all been repainted bloody magnolia. Could you send the landlord a few pictures? Maybe upon seeing it, they'd have a mild rethink. Hopefully at the very least, they'll ask the new tenants what they'd prefer before changing it all.
I don't know what to do because I don't want to bother them when they pay an agent for this sort of thing. I messaged them directly earlier this eve and said that as they know I'm leaving after 9 happy years here and I wanted them to clarify the decor expectations. They replied very politely that I've been a model tenant and they wish me all the best going forward, but back to cream walls throughout. Sad I replied and told them that I wouldn't be repainting back to magnolia and why. They read but have chosen not to respond. So if I message them again, what do I say?
OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 13/09/2021 23:13

I replied and told them that I wouldn't be repainting back to magnolia and why
Well, that was a little high handed of you...

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 13/09/2021 23:14

That and the fact that a single mother has paid the mortgage for 9 years, I don't think I'd want to take any money off her. But then I am a bit of a pushover myself.

You don't want to take any money off HER?

Um...how would that work?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 13/09/2021 23:15

I replied and told them that I wouldn't be repainting back to magnolia and why. They read but have chosen not to respond.
So if I message them again, what do I say?

You don't message them again. Go through the agent.

thevassal · 13/09/2021 23:17

Could you check and say 'As you will see I paid £1400 for the new flooring and x amount for the patio. Can you just confirm that you want me to pull it all up and put the old carpet back and put the patio back to grass?" Doubt they will agree to that they'll probably be like ''No, no please keep your flooring (which is a huge improvement)," in which case you can say well it's not really clear do you want it back to as it was or not, if not you can keep the floor and patio but I won't be painting the walls, that's a pretty good deal for them!

Surely to withhold your deposit they would have to show that the changes you made had a detrimental effect to the property (e.g. they had to repaint because they couldn't rent/sell it the way you'd decorated it) which if it's well maintained and looks nice would be hard to do!

GreyhoundG1rl · 13/09/2021 23:17

They haven't chosen not to respond.

They haven't responded yet. Maybe they're taking advice since you've dug your heels in regarding the agreement.

Original poster
QuantumDog2 · 13/09/2021 23:18

@GreyhoundG1rl

I replied and told them that I wouldn't be repainting back to magnolia and why Well, that was a little high handed of you...
Yeah, maybe. Confused I think I just thought it was better to be honest rather than leave them with a surprise on check-out day.
OP posts: