Landlord is getting a quote for work - should I be worried?

[misscph1973]

I just had a very nice man come round to take a look at the front of our rented house so that he could give my landlord a quote for some redecorating. The front is not in a great state, but it is just cosmetic and it doesn't bother me too much. But it got me really worried about the landlord's intentions. That is the kind of thing you do if you want to sell, isn't it? I rent via an agency and we have only been her 6 months (just renewed the 6 mont contract). I guess I should reactivate my account on Rightmove?

no, it is the kind of thing you do as a good landlord, or indeed as an owner. It is called 'maintaining the property'. It is what you do when the weather gets better so now is the time for quotes.

tatty paintwork is not 'just cosmetic'. Paint is protective as well as decorative.

obviously as you have just renewed for six months, you are there for that long.

you could of course always ask.

Nope, I redecorate our rented place (now I think about it, a lot more frequently than I do the one we live in!) whenever the agents tell me it's getting a bit tatty. Typically this is at the end of a tenancy to minimise disruption (and obviously the time when the decor is most key to me is when I'm finding a new tenant) but I wouldn't assume too much about the fact it's being done when you've just extended for six months. If I were doing it up for sale I'd do it much closer to the end of your tenancy.

ps landlord should have warned you in advance ideally, although if no access was required to the property he didn't have to.

it is courteous to let a tenant know that someone will be having a look, though. You might be dancing naked in your lounge, which you have a perfect right to do.

Thanks, all. I am definitely a bit paranoid about this, as I rent through an agency and I have never met the landlord. In my previous tenancy I rented directly from my landlord and we had a very good relationship. I don't mind the agent, she's nice.

I had been told that someone would come and take a look at the front of the house, just not when (around here it is quite common that people just pop by when they can).

I would really like to be here a lot longer than another 6 months, I love the house. But unfortunately 6 month contracts are quite common. At the other place it was yearly renewal.

you can arrange whatever you can agree with the landlord. It's not an area thing.

normally the first contract is 6 months; this reduces the pain and expense for the landlord if the tenant is a rogue. (They do exist). After that, the landlord is more reassured that they have one of the 90% plus of decent tenants. So if you want to stay longer, why not start overtures?

what do landlords want? A tenant that pays the rent, advises of any problems, looks after the place and doesn't upset the neighbours.

sounds like you have a good landlord who did warn you of an outside visit. Of course had it needed someone IN the house, they would have had to agree a time with you and get your permission.

Thanks, special. I personally think I am an excellent tennant, I have never paid my rent late and I look after the house. I am on good terms with the neighbours, our kids play with theirs.

I have thought of asking to extend the 6 month contract renewal to at least 12 months. But I have a feeling that the agent likes the 6 months, so I don't think that is going to happen.

the agent may like it but the landlord is also paying the renewal fee. And your contract is with the LANDLORD.

so get in touch with the landlord and open discussions about a longer tenancy.

Agreed. You may need to ask the agent to ask the landlord if he/she would be willing to consider a longer contract but the agent can't say no on the landlord's behalf without checking with him/her. The agent gets a renewal fee out of both of you every six months, which is probably what makes you think the agent likes the six month contracts!

You can't do much now with this contract period, but I would definitely suggest towards the end of it that you go into a fixed term of 12 months.

I don't actually pay a renewal fee myself, but I don't know if the landlord does. I will definitely ask for a longer contract this summer.

OP, my lads are doing this on my property atm. We called our tenant though and explained.
I didn't want the poor woman worrying about lads eyeing up the outside of the house.
Some properties need a lot of maintenance especially after winter or during times of frost.
Our own house had bricks burst from the chimney one year, it nearly collapsed, was really unsafe all over the space of a few months.
I would be happy they are looking after the place after some awful ll you read about who do nothing to their houses.

morethan, it's an old house, so it does need a lot of maintenance. To me it looks like only the bare minimum has been done for some years. The bottom of the large garden was sold to the back neighbour when we just moved in, so I am thinking that perhaps the landlord is using the money from the sale to finance repairs to the front.

misscph

I hope so

It must be a worry when you don't know whether they are going to sell.

Out tenant is a single/ recently divorced woman, she is lovely and really looks after the place.
I was hoping to have had a small family though as we bought the house as a long term investment and would have loved to give a family some security. but it is only 2 beds so only suit small family.

The reason I have a suspicion that they are going to sell is that I know the landlord tried to sell it some years back. The previous tennants were there for 3 years so I am hoping that the landlord decided that he wants to keep letting the house. The things is, when you rent there are lots of new builds 8I hate new builds, they are of poor quality and the rooms are small), but it's harder to find an old house like this to rent, I guess because they require more maintenance. This house is massive, it's a former B&B and the rooms are huge.

If your house that you rent out only has 2 beds, most families wouldn't stay there long as it's just not big enough for a family. So I think you have a better chance of a long tenancy with your current tennant.

BTW OP sale doesn't affect an existing tenancy, just gives you a new landlord.

put your mind at rest and chat to the landlord.

But only within the contraccted period.

Yes, I should talk to the agent, you are right. You're being really nice, I'm sure you are an excellent landlord.

thank you - I do try! Most landlords are decent, as are most tenants.

The bile-spewers on here probably haven't read the forums on landlordzone, where you can see just what landlords need to protect themselves against.

you're right, if the tenancy goes 'rolling' then notice to you goes to 2 months.