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Original poster

Landlord wants me to repaint before I leave.

22 replies

NinjaBunny · 12/12/2013 23:02

Been here nearly 6 years.

Decorated myself when I first moved in as the place needed a professional clean and repainting. They're still fine.

Will be paying for a professional 'end of tenancy' clean so it's naice and sparkly for the next person because I'm not an arsehole I know how hideous it is to move into a dirty house.

I'll wander round with a paintbrush touching up any bits that have been scuffed or knocked, but repainting all of it? Really?

Do I need to?

I don't have time. Or the energy. Or the money really (I know you can buy cheap paint but what with brushes and stuff it all adds up). I'd rather she kept the deposit and paid someone to do it after I leave.

Can I just leave it?

OP posts:
lagoonhaze · 12/12/2013 23:07

If its not in your tenancy then yes you don't have to.

In fact youve already improved the property by doing it on move in.

Similar with professional cleaning. Not necessary unless in tenancy.

pierpressure · 12/12/2013 23:08

Do you have a professional check in /inventory?
It's not normal to ask for this. The rule if thumb is
That you leave as you find. Sounds like it's better
Than you found it?
However do NOT go round dabbing at marks
With a paint brush , looks terrible

lagoonhaze · 12/12/2013 23:09

Ps my landlady repainted prior to us moving in. Not Im tenancy but i will repaint on move out as she made it nice for our move in.

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 12/12/2013 23:10

No check in.

No inventory.

Naice but rogue landlord.

Currently laying here wheezing due to the damp.

Lots of repairs to do, LL thinks a lick of paint to cover it is the solution.

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseGirls · 13/12/2013 06:11

It is wear and tear. No need for you to repaint. My landlords repainted before I moved in.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 13/12/2013 06:12

Oh and if no inventory or check in, then the can go and swing. If they get pissy, ask them if they have been declaring their rental income.

Southpaws · 13/12/2013 06:14

If its not in your tenancy agreement don't do it. A few wall scuffs are fair wear and tear after 6 years, so it's up to him to sort.

GeordieCherry · 13/12/2013 06:16

Sounds like they're trying to get out if doing it themselves!

Is your deposit in a registered scheme?

Do you have photos to show condition of paintwork when you moved in & now?

Don't do it I reckon!

tribpot · 13/12/2013 06:18

No, this is not your responsibility, what a bloody cheek.

I have a feeling you can kiss that deposit goodbye whatever you do upon departure, so please don't spend your own money on repainting. The deposit is presumably not protected in a scheme as you moved in before this became law.

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 13/12/2013 08:08

Yes, I've already learnt from years of renting that your deposit is really a 'moving cost'.

Hmm

I leave places immaculate (am one those tenants who want a naice home - not just somewhere temporary), wait politely for the return of my deposit and never hear from the landlords/letting agents ever again.

I have no idea if it's in a 'scheme'.

Nor do I particularly want to leave a forwarding address (am very private) so he couldn't post it to me anyway.

They employ their own team of cowboy DIY men. My deposit will easily cover the cost of paint and a few days labour.

Thanks!

:)

OP posts:
lalalonglegs · 13/12/2013 09:52

If you moved in six years ago that means it was 2007 - was it before or after April? If it was after April, the LL was legally required to register the deposit and could now be fined 3x the original amount if he hasn't done so. Rather than repainting, getting a professional clean done (although I think it would be nice to leave it clean and tidy) and writing the deposit off as a "moving expense", I'd be pursuing the LL for my bond money and be hoping that I could be due a lot more. Of course, this very much depends what time in 2007 you moved in - fingers crossed it was April 6 or after...

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 13/12/2013 10:07

I actually think it was March (all paperwork is now packed).

Confused

I'm not going to paint. I honestly don't have the time - loads of stuff to do over the next few days (she says as she chats on MN Grin ) and decorating a 3 bed house is NOT going to fit into by schedule.

The professional clean is already booked. Would be unfair to cancel as it's a small family run company and they could possibly lose income.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 13/12/2013 10:37

what a load of bollocks about deposits. They should be in a protected scheme so you don't 'kiss it goodbye'.

taking no interest in whether it is protected, as per the law, is kissing it goodbye. As is renting from dodgy landlords, although clearly the place isn't that bad as you've been there six years.

but no, you don't have to repaint.

Notawordfromtheladybird · 14/12/2013 09:31

If the landlord tries to deduct deposit, you file a small claims court online. He will need to prove damage in court. As there is no checkin, it will be impossible for him to do so. When it is his word against yours, they rule for the tenant. That's why landlords insist on the bloody inventories - without them, they can't claim for genuine damage.

6 years is a very long time and even if you did cause damage, your landlord can't charge you to replace as new. He can't better his property as your cost - google this. So for example, if you had 3 year old carpets at move in and now they need replacing, he can't charge you to replace them. He can only charge you a fraction, after working out lifespan of a carpet, then deducing wear and tear for 6 years, and 3 years for how old the carpet was when you moved in... Which would come out to... nothing. Smile

MumpiresYellowCard · 14/12/2013 10:13

That's crazy! lazy landlord, wants you to do all their work Confused

You sound a good tenant,you've been there six years! you painted when you moved in, and you're getting a professional clean !

QueenofWhatever · 14/12/2013 12:10

Technically I think it depends if you got the landlord's permission to repaint. My tenants would have to, otherwise I would expect them to return it to its original state. However I would make sure it's in good enough condition before they move in. Also if my tenants had been there for six years, I would have paid for it to be painted at least once.

I wouldn't paint it and if LL starts getting hassly, just suggest he takes it to court. He won't because of the deposit issue. I would however leae a forwarding address, so that your credit rating doesn't get messed up by unpaid utility bills tec. It could be your work address.

Definitely take steps to get your deposit back. It's not as complicated as you might think. I get so angry at LLs who don't return deposits, I always do.

ReallyTired · 14/12/2013 12:14

What colours have you painted it? I imagine that if you waited the entire flat fushia or lemon tropic without concent then the landlord would have every right to demand that you repaint it boring magnolia or pay for someone else to do the work.

Original poster
NinjaBunny · 14/12/2013 15:17

It was roughly painted in magnolia (quite badly -
doorframes and dado rails also painted in the same emulsion) but had random patches of unpainted plaster where work had been done.

I repainted it in various shades of beige/cream/sand and the kitchen and bathroom plale grey as it went better with the tiles.

I also repainted the work work with white eggshell.

So it's still all neutral and liveable. But it's not 'newly painted' which I think is what he wants.

OP posts:
Original poster
NinjaBunny · 14/12/2013 15:19

And I did get permission to paint.

Not in writing though. Was done by text and I've changed phone several times sincw then.

OP posts:
TravelinColour · 14/12/2013 15:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HMG83 · 14/12/2013 15:30

If he hasn't protected your deposit and given you the prescribed information then you can take him to court and sue for between 1-3 times your deposit amount.

It is a legal requirement for a LL to protect a tenants deposit.

If he hasn't and tries to keep any/all of your deposit then just remind him of his obligations he failed to meet and state you'll see him in court. Might be enough for him to just give you back your deposit, no arguements.

Canthaveitall · 15/12/2013 14:33

I think he is trying it on TBH. I like to present my flat to a new tenant as I would like to receive it and expect it to be returned to me as though someone had lived there but looked after it. That normally involves us doing some decoration between tenancies.

I suppose the only exception would be if this term was included in your contract. Have you checked? I don't know how this would be viewed though if you were to refuse as I can't see how it could be considered reasonable.

I would only ask a tenant to contribute if they has caused excessive damage or had painted a room a ridiculous colour. Neither of which has ever happened.

If your tenancy started from April 2007 then your deposit should have been protected. This is a useful site about the deposit scheme and explains how you can deal with deposit return issues . Failure to not protect the deposit or follow the procedure can result in a fine of between 1-3 months rent for the landlord.

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