Landlords -Help needed re tenants decoration!

[Ihatebeingfrugal]

Just need some advice please.

We have had long term tenants ( 3 years +) in our property. When they moved in I said they could decorate to their taste (as it was their long term home) as long as when they moved out it was all returned to neutrals -cream/white etc.

They did this - every room a different colour, lime green/orange/dark red etc.

They are now moving out and refusing to change colours. It will take a LOT of paint and time to re do every wall in the house.
Where do we stand legally on this ? Possible agent told us that after 3 years we would be responsible - but don't know ? Hoping someone here can advise!

What does it say in the lease?

Do you have the 'put it back to neutral' instruction in writing?

Do you intend to rent the house out again? If so, would think you'd need to redecorate for new tenants anyway?

Did you have an inventory done? Do you have a deposit? Was the property newly-decorated when they moved in? Do you have the agreement in writing?

After three years you might have had to repaint anyway, especially if the decoration wasn't pristine when they moved in, but they should contribute something if the decor was in reasonable condition when they did it.

Thanks for your replies

We are trying to find the original lease in our paperwork cupboard tonight!I have reiterated on every inspection that colour has to return to neutral.

House was newly decorated about 3 months before they moved in. They have not wallpapered - just painted over existing wallpaper.

We have a deposit/bond which is in the Gov scheme but would this cover contribution to restoring sanity to the walls?

We will be trying to rent out to new tenants as soon as they move out (tricky situation - rent arrears) and honestly no one would entertain it as it stands.
It is a 3 bed 1930's house so not something I could decorate in a weekend- even if I had a free weekend !

They also asked if they could take up the existing carpet (1 year old when they moved in)and lay "quality" wooden flooring. This turned out to be cheap laminate which is now peeling in some areas and looks a complete mess.

None of this was a problem when they were paying rent - but obviously this has changed now!

Am I just going to have to cut my losses and re do everything for new tenants ?

Surely this is exactly the kind of thing that the deposit is held back to cover? Plus, what did they do with the existing carpet when they laid their laminate, does it still exist? I would be getting professional decorators in using their deposit, unless of course they want to redo it all themselves (frankly I wouldn't trust them to do it though).

I would be inclined to keep their deposit to cover costs, especially with flooring and redecorating if they are ignoring what you've said. Also, if they are in arrears you presumably can keep the deposit to also cover the rent.

Make it plain there will not be a good reference forthcoming either unless things are put right.

Yup - sorry, but it sounds like you will have to do the lot again. . Been there, worn the T-shirt.

Not your fault, but next time don't allow tenants to do ANYTHING without your approval, e.g. check quality of flooring, only agree to decorating in approved neutral colours etc.

I'm sure you could find someone to slap a few coats of magnolia emulsion up in all rooms for a minimal price if you ask around. There is a recession on.

after 3 years surely you would have had to paint the walls and chane the carpets anyway? isnt this usual wear and tear on liht coloured walls and cheap carpets?

Of course, this doesn't mean you can't withold deposit etc. to cover your costs. And I'm speaking as a former tenant who recently had deposit witheld for completely spurious reasons.

Have also been landlady however, so TOTALLY sympathise re. amount of hard bloody work involved.

Good luck!

Thanks for your replies.

Horrible situation to be in -worried that they will trash the house before they leave, or just flit (although this would allow us to keep the bond towards redecorating)

Mini - We have already decided that they will not be decorating - as God knows what it would look like

scary- I don't think she is expecting a reference-she accused DH of being racist! and also told him they could get a property anywhere as they were such good tenants! (Can't see many landlords agreeing priority of sunbeds and acrylic nails over paying rent - so good luck with that one!)

Mrs F -At least we will have matching t shirts

I am sure you can hold the deposit back on the background of redecorating, as with such vibrant colours you may need more than just the standard 1 coat of paint between tenants, the flooring, and the rent arrears.

I would get professional decorators in as soon as they are out of the door, and get it done pronto so you can get new tenants asap.

As for trashing the place?
My tenants did that. It cost us 8k to put the house right again. Of course, the deposit was peanuts in comparison, and our tenant was also in arrears.

nailak- They weren't cheap carpets!They were replaced with cheap laminate !

We have 3 rental properties and are all done to high spec, which is why we have long term tenants in all of them - up until now !

Quin- You are describing my worst nightmare! Similar thing happened to my Mum's friend. Let her house to "professional" couple who turned the house into a cannabis factory - £15-20 K worth of damage and a mountain of stress to deal with - so I may be getting off lightly with crappy flooring and decorating!

Nailak, you must be joking - paint walls and change carpets after 3 years - considering that they were done just before tenant moved in? Such wear and tear would be in excess of fair.

OP - tbh, I'm a bit stunned that you'd let tenants pull up new carpets. And i know it is hindsight, but it really would have been wise to see exactly what they were proposing to put down instead.

What a shame that your new carpets were pulled up (and thrown away?), and you're left with cheap and nasty stuff.