To think landlord is a cf

[Heyheey]

Ok so I’ve already made a post about something similar but just wanted to rant and also get some opinions

I had a property inspection the other day and my landlord has emailed me with a list of things

1. to paint over old leak stain in second bedroom which was caused by leaky roof
2. Change wallpaper or paint over wallpaper in main bedroom as some of it is peeling (it was like this when I moved in)
3. paint kitchen ceiling (when I moved in it had been replastered and landlord said he would have it painted but hasn’t and now he wants me to do it
4. paint bathroom ceiling as some of it is peeling (was already like that)
5. paint or varnish garden fence. Which wasn’t done when at the time I moved in. He said also I could put up trellis to give me privacy
6. put a new gate on back garden as it’s not in very good condition (again, was like this when I moved in)
7. has told me I must not store anything in the loft and to have it removed if there’s anything up there (this isn’t in my contract)

aibu to think he is being a cf? He has put my rent up but has made no improvements to the house and is asking me to do them, with no offer of any input in costs involved. There is nothing in my contract to say I need to make improvements to the property, unless it’s something I have damaged myself

1. Remove stuff from loft.
2. Send landlord quote for work requested, with need for 100% up front before work starts.
3. And relax……

The loft is reasonable but the rest is utterly ridiculous! Let him know you agree that he needs to carry out such maintenance.

Don't waste the time of tradespeople getting quotes when you know you don't want them to do the work.

It costs them money and time to come out and quote people. Really gets on my nerves when people use them to get quotes knowing that they're wasting their time.

NO,NO, NO! These are your landlord's responsibilities. If you have peeling paper he needs to find out why it is peeling for starters, any routine maintenance is his job, and why is he concerned about stuff in the loft? What is that all about?

I agree with this. I rent and do maintain some aspects of the property like changing a rail in the bathroom as it is just easier for us to do it ourselves (and landlords use a 15 quid job to justify a larger increase), but those sound like larger jobs taking up your time and that is not on.

If he hasn't been keen on fixing the place up for you to move in then it sounds like he wants to sell. I would just speak to shelter and use one of their template emails to state it is his job to maintain the property. He will most likely try and keep the deposit he can. Be prepared for that. You could always ask if he is planning to sell.

The good news is, I think it is going to be very hard to sell any property right now unless it is a cash buyer. He could end up losing a good tenant and a lot of money and it would be of his own making. Having a tenant insitu can be appealing to LL buyers so if he is selling to a cash buyer (most likely buyers right now) this might help both of you.

I personally think the housing market is in a right state now and it is going to be very difficult to sell without lowering expectations on price. My affordability regarding what I can borrow has gone down by about 30%, but homes are on the market without a 30% reduction, and even if I could afford more, the actual price I would pay over the mortgage including interest is eyewatering. It would be crazy to buy now even if you could afford it. He has missed the boat.

I'd send him a invoice for the work, if not willing to pay for and the for the materials don't do any of it and that's only if you want too.

None of this is your responsibility. We painted our fences but the LL came and spoke to us first and agreed to knock some money off the increased rent payment going forward if we did a few things (that we were planning to do anyway.)

I agree with everyone else your LL is looking for you to fix it up and sell it between you.

It sounds like your landlord has confused himself with a Council and is treating you like a Council tenant who would have responsibility for upkeep and free hand to redecorate.

He wants you to spruce it up so he can sell it.

Nope, the responsibility to provide evidence is on him, not OP. He would need to prove it was all in top condition when she moved in, which obviously, he can’t do.

Agreed - none of those things are your responsibility.

Do you have an inventory for when you moved in?

(I work for one of the accreditation schemes for letting and managing agents)

Wow, just wow! Aside from storing things in the loft all the things he has mentioned are HIS responsibility, not yours. I would seriously be looking for a new flat. As for putting up your rent while not doing any maintenance at all, but expecting you to do it - there are no words (well, actually there are, but they aren't very polite!)

I'm a LL. Your LL is trying it on and obviously being a dick. He has no right to expect you to do any of those things unless he provides you with the inventory which provides proof of the apparent degradation, and proof that this is more than reasonable wear and tear, AND that this is all in line with what's in your contract. I recommend formally writing to your LL on this matter using the Shelter templates (that another poster recommended), quoting the contract and the relevant legislation.

Same. I think he wants it tidying up to sell.

No guilt here.

I've had enough tradespeople turn up, look over the job tell me that they will send a quote and then never get back to me or be completely disinterested in proceeding.

My time costs money too.

Outraged on your behalf!

My LL regularly checks in to ask if anything needs doing (old flat where something is always going wrong) and then sends his lovely son-in-law round to fix it up.

When I rent I've also always been scared of making any permenant changes to the property as they can then take it out your deposit - when you moved in you should have signed a document that described the exact condition of everything and it needs to only show "reasonable wear"

I'd be concerned he'd complain you haven't done a good enough job with the painting/wallpapering etc and take your money!

This isn't your responsibility, don't do it

Thank you everyone. I did do an inventory and took photos when I moved it and the things he asked me to do are all the same condition as the date I moved in. My contract says I am responsible for repairs for damage caused by myself but that’s it

I have photos of the torn wall paper etc from the date I got the keys and nothing has changed but he wants me to sort all painting and decorating

That’s good - you have proof damage wasn’t caused by you and he is indeed asking you to enhance the property

Ask him when his decorator will be coming. Not your responsibility.

No. Don't do anything. Get him to refer to the inventory. You have proof. I had a landlord who replaced some rather shit windows after myself & the agency nagged him for good part of a year as they were popping out. Cost him a fair bit. So as soon as finished he listed it & I was served notice.
I'd start looking elsewhere if I were you just incase.

Yes, I think you’d better start looking for a new place too, just so you’ve got an idea of your options. I think he’s planning to sell (although it’ll probably take ages in this market).

This actually puts you in a really good position. If you ask for these things to be done as per his responsibility as the landlord and he then issues you a section 21, you have grounds for a possible “revenge eviction”.

Make sure you put your request in writing (preferably email as you have a copy).
Do not put any emotion or opinion in the email. Be polite but stick to the facts.

Where are you? Renting regulations are different in different parts of the UK.
How did you find the property? Through an agency, or private advert?
Currently there are loads of landlords selling up, and cutting their losses, which is having a massive knock on effect, with record numbers of people competing for a limited number of properties. Rents are being hiked, perfectly legally, but pricing people out who have been renting for years.
I would get legal advice/ pay citizens advice a visit, unless you rent through an agency. If you do, give them a call.