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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to want payment for fitted items left in my rental?

197 replies

Maurit · 06/09/2026 17:54

I just left a rental and left behind three items I had fitted: an extra loo, fitted wardrobes and 4 curtain rails. I asked the landlord to message the new tenants that I was happy to leave these provided they pay a small fee for each - much less than they cost to me. They don’t want to do that and the landlord is suggesting I just leave the items as less hassle than taking them out. AIBU in thinking that the new tenants are just joy riding on this, knowing that they’ll get access to the items for no fee? .

OP posts:
Springsummertime · 06/09/2026 21:06

You are being completely unreasonable! If you want them take them and you’ll be liable to pay for the damage it will take removing them! Give your head a wobble if this is actually serious post!

Grammarnut · 06/09/2026 21:09

Beautifulscribbles · 06/09/2026 18:05

This is nothing to do with the new tenants. It's down to the agreement between you and the landlord. Did the landlord agree to pay you for the additions to their property? Because if you wanted paying, only they can reasonably be expected to do that if pre agreed. Otherwise it's on you to leave the property as you found it - ie remove the items and make good. Your best bet is to tell the landlord that you'll be doing that unless they would like to pay. Ask them to let the new tenants know. Then the new tenants (who I expect thought these items were included..) might be unhappy, so the landlord may cough up.

The landlord is more likely to tell OP to remove items and make good, unless she had permission to install a loo and fitted wardrobes. Unless there was an agreement to put these in then there is no obligation to pay for them on the landlord's part. OP can take her curtain poles as long as she fills in the holes and puts back the original curtain fittings (which I assume were there). Lesson learned, do not put permanent fixtures into rented property.

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/09/2026 21:11

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · 06/09/2026 20:55

Inside one of the fitted wardrobes. It's a lucky dip when you open the door as to whether you find a load of great outfits in there or somebody dropping the kids off at the pool.

At best, you can leave an unflushed monster 'protest jobby' in the retro-fitted loo; that's about your limit for reparations, though.

Show quote history

😂😂😂

or maybe an outside one

HisNibs · 06/09/2026 21:19

Is this some kind of reverse?

If not, it's absolutely nothing to do with the new tenants. If this was done without the landlord's agreement, I would be expecting them to deduct the cost of putting it right from your deposit OP.

Movingonup313 · 06/09/2026 21:20

What would you get if you tried to re-sell on the market? Peanuts
Would it cost you to make good walls etc if you removed them - yes
Did you benefit from them when there for x period of time - yes

Try to look at it that way.

Focussing on the new tenants is incorrect.
You arent negotiating selling moveable with in a contract for a property sale.

Foxyviolet · 06/09/2026 21:24

You should have made an agreement with the landlord before you did the work. If anyone owes you anything it's him.

I have no idea why you would spend your money to add value to someone else's house.

The new tenants don't owe you anything.

Tryagain26 · 06/09/2026 21:25

You shouldn't have made any permanent changes to a rented property.
You can't expect a new tenant to pay for improvements you made to the property they are renting.
The landlord has no obligation to pay either, unless you had your permission to make the changes they could even ask you to take out the changes you have made and make the property as was as it was originally at your expense

WonderfulSmith · 06/09/2026 21:32

Notmybestusername · 06/09/2026 18:22

Is this one where the Op never returns?

Almost certainly. And then she’ll want to charge us for it.

BruFord · 06/09/2026 21:45

caringcarer · 06/09/2026 18:15

I'm a LL and you'd have got to have written permission to install an additional toilet and I put in all my contracts house must be restored to original state when tenant leaves. If you want the curtain rails go and fetch them.

I was thinking the same thing @caringcarer, the OP could be on shaky ground.

TheFormerMrsTruelove · 06/09/2026 21:45

You’ve been really silly.

You’re being really silly.

SchrodingersGuinepig · 06/09/2026 21:49

What makes you think they want the items?

I'm intrigued by why the loo is "extra" - you don't mention plumbing or an extra sink... did you fully add a guest WC where there was previously an under stairs cupboard or utility? Or did you literally put in a second toilet in some unconventional configuration in the living room or two toilets facing one another in the family bathroom ?

Branleuse · 06/09/2026 21:49

You installed all that into a rental? Why?

I don't think you are entitled to any payment.

caringcarer · 06/09/2026 21:52

If you wanted an additional toilet you should have asked the LL to fit one.

Sunbringer · 06/09/2026 22:02

Legally the landlord can charge you for leaving them…

comeoncolleen · 06/09/2026 22:05

Too late, OP. If you install items in a rental you should really ask LL's permission first, but even if you haven't, you can take the items with you provided you make good the damage. What you can't do is turn up in a rental you've left and start removing a toilet, let alone try to charge the new tenants! Move on.

stichguru · 06/09/2026 22:05

This has got to be a joke.

Dollymylove · 06/09/2026 22:11

Why on earth did you spend money fitting things in a house that isnt yours?
If I was asked to pay for fittings in rented home I would be laughing my head off at the ridiculousness !!

OnTheBoardwalk · 06/09/2026 22:16

@Maurit please answer the questions, especially about the toilet installation

how on earth did you think you were authorised to fit a loo, unless it’s a temporary fitted one?

are you Liz Jones? Didn’t she install a brand new kitchen in her rental without the landlords permission then expected them to give her all her cash back

Thameslock · 06/09/2026 22:35

We had a long term tenant who wanted to fit a new kitchen. She was told she was welcome to do that but would have to leave it if she ever left the property( she had been there 20 years). 2 years down the line she met the love of her life and gave notice. Cheeky bugger then wanted us to pay for the kitchen less 2 years wear and tear!!. Referred her to the letter we sent here confirming it wad to be left and asking for her agreement in writing..End of story, you cannot make improvements to a rental for your own benefit then expect recompense when you leave.

Wadsworthy · 06/09/2026 22:49

Are you renting in Germany or France? Where it is usual to fit your own kitchen?

Otherwise, why on earth did you added fitted furniture to a property that is not yours?

Isittimeformynapyet · 06/09/2026 22:52

Annoyedbyhusband · 06/09/2026 20:04

I rent but ai am also a landlord. The negotiation for payment should have been with the landlord. If he didn’t want them then you should have removed them. It’s absolutely nothing to do with the new tenant. I am surprised the landlord didn’t tell you to remove them, although he has now asked that you do.

I am surprised the landlord didn’t tell you to remove them, although he has now asked that you do.

Eh? ......

They don’t want to do that and the landlord is suggesting I just leave the items as less hassle than taking them out.

SpaceShark · 06/09/2026 22:56

Dont think I've ever come across an AIBU more U than this.

Xkk · 06/09/2026 23:09

I think you made a mistake and now trying your luck. It doesn't work like that. No one is responsable for changes you chose to make unless agreed in advance. If you remove the items you need to bring the property to the state you found it. Is not worth it take the hit and leave it. Never invest in someone else's property unless you have a financial interest in it. Lessons learnt.

YourWildAmberSloth · 06/09/2026 23:17

Yes YABU and pretty ridiculous on top. Remove the items and make good any damages. If you can't or don't want to, tenants shouldn't have to pay for them. This is something that you and the LL need to work out between you, without dumping the problem on the new tenants.

Ethelspagetti · 06/09/2026 23:44

Upsetbetty · 06/09/2026 17:56

rule number 1 - don’t add permanent or fitted fixtures/items to a house that is not yours. Sorry.

Agreed! You cannot add to a rental then ask the new tenants to reimburse you! You are allowed to remove them and make it look as good as before, e.g re plastering and painting a room you’ve ripped out a toilet from. But it’s too late to do that now as you’ve moved out. You cannot reenter the property now. One sister lived in a rental, added a very tall and good quality fence then realised it only benefited the next tenants! You should not add anything expensive to a rental because it’s not yours!