Renting a house: asking for replacement carpets

[birraarrib]

Hi there,

I am in the process of renting a house. Had our application accepted by landlord. It is a fully managed property by the estate agents. The property is overpriced, but we are getting desperate.

We made the offer on condition that the carpets in two of the upstairs bedrooms are replaced before we move in. This was in our application. The estate agent rang dp to say that they would replace any carpets they thought were in need of replacing. It was all very non committal.

I emailed myself, to get it in writing. And again, the estate agent says they will check them out and then decide on which carpets, if any, need replacing. Then they asked us to pay the holding deposit.

Am I a cynic to think that they're trying to pull a fast one? Get us to sign for the house and then reach the decision that neither carpet needs replacing.

I would also think they're trying to pull a fast one and I would either pay the deposit on the basis you may not be getting new carpets or look for an alternative property.

Your gut feeling is right but what are your options, realistically? Renting market is mental atm.

The landlord’s desire to accommodate your request might depend on whether they can rent it as-is to someone else.

If they didn’t replace the carpets, would it be tolerable once furniture is in the rooms etc. Rooms always look worse without furniture.

I don't think many landlords would agree to replacing carpet unless they're awful - maybe they'd agree to having them professionally cleaned, but not replacement (unless the property is / has been empty for some time / difficult to let etc). I think you're expecting too much (have you rented before?) and you ask for a direct answer before you proceed.

They are after your money and I doubt they will replace the carpets, which they will likely say are fine.

Most landlords won’t replace carpets until they are worn through in patches. Stains don’t matter. So, yes I think they are trying to manage you into accepting the old carpet. They probably think you’ll be so far along the process that you’ll be grateful if they offer to have their local cleaning guy come round and do a quick clean with a steam cleaner.

I think the chances of them replacing the carpets are basically zero, unless they are REALLY desperate for a tenant.