Can I refuse replacement of stained glass window?

[painintheglass0]

Help Please, MNers!

I'm in major need of advice regarding a tricky situation with my LL, and I can't figure out: Where does our 'right to peaceful enjoyment' end and the landlord's 'right to access for repairs' begin?

Quick context:
When we moved into our beautiful period rental a few months ago, we noticed some cracks in the stunning stained glass panes of the front door. These had been 'made good' with sellotape. We mentioned this in our inventory confirmation email, thinking it might need attention but not being overly concerned. However, my other half logged a 'repair request' for it through an automated portal—despite my fears about losing the stained glass. I even had a bad dream about it!

To our shock, the landlord has now decided to remove the stained glass entirely and replace it with a basic pane of frosted glass, giving us just 24 hours' notice, which my partner seems to have unwittingly agreed to in a phone call. My bad dream has come true.

It might sound pathetic, but losing this stained glass door is heartbreaking for me. The door's wow factor is one of the main reasons I fell in love with this house. As a lover of period features, I can't understand why the landlord would want to remove such a unique element from their property.

Can we stop this from happening? The managing agents have shown no empathy when I've asked what the alternatives are to retain the original feature before drastic action is taken. They basically told me it was not my decision to make and I have no say in the matter.

This afternoon, I sent the glazer away and told them I don't want the work to be carried out (and have been verbally warned that a £££'s bill will be coming my way because of it).

Any advice, similar experiences, or guidance on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much.

I'm really sorry but it's not your house. The glass is broken and it sounds like your other half has instigated the repair process and agreed to that specific repair.
I do sympathise as I'd be gutted if my LL removed original features, but it's the LL's right to repair as they see fit.

"To your shock" you asked the landlord to repair something (that sounds under certain circumstances could be quite dangerous) and they are actually going to ?

It's not your house ultimately. The landlord is responsible to keep the place in good order and any consequences as a result of not doing so.

If you are really attached to that glass maybe you could request a replica is made or the original repaired. But it is likely to cost £££ more that you will have to pay for.

I suppose if the house is in a conservation area you might be able to use that as leverage to get a like for like replacement.

I doubt whether you are going to be buddies with the Landlord after stuff like this though.

It's their decision.

which my partner seems to have unwittingly agreed to in a phone call. you need to work put how and why that happened. Does he need to work on assertiveness?

The estate agent is right, you can’t stop it and it’s weird of you to try. It’s not your property! The landlord is being sensible by putting in cheaper windows that are less likely to cause problems.

You need to pay what you’ve just cost the landlord and the glazier after your interference.

If you are really attached to that glass maybe you could request a replica is made or the original repaired. But it is likely to cost £££ more that you will have to pay for. this is probably the only option - you pay for it

Shocked that you sent a workman away as a tenant thinking this is somehow in your remit to decide what can be fitted?!

Repairing stained glass is a very expensive job unfortunately.

I actually replaced mine with a frosted glass panel as I couldn't justify the repair cost and tbh it is also a security risk. It's very easy to bend back the lead and remove a piece of glass allowing access to the inside.

You could ask your landlord if you could keep the removed door panel yourself?

Oh OP, YABVU and you also sound like a complete PITA.

You noticed that the glass was damaged.
Your partner logged a repair request.
The landlord agreed to the request you made, to repair the glass (with a cheap but secure solution).
Your partner agreed to the appointment for this repair to happen.
You then sent the contractor away without letting them do the repair which YOUR PARTNER requested and YOUR PARTNER agreed to?

There's no universe in which your "right to quiet enjoyment" is meant to work like this. You've overstepped massively and if I were your landlord I'd be counting down the months until you were out of the fixed term contract and I could give you notice to leave.

If you like the flat beyond the broken stained glass and would want to stay, then your best move will be to immediately pay the costs of the contractor's wasted visit, immediately reschedule for the damage to be made good, and to make an immediate and sincere apology for your outrageous behaviour.

You are wholly in the wrong here.

There’s new laws coming in about minimum energy ratings on rental’s
so this glass would be going anyway

yes the glass could be preserved and mounted in a double glazed unit
but can’t imagine any LL wanting to go to that expense
That would be deemed an essential repair due to security and broken glass could be hazardous

Yup. And then I think she’ll be surprised when the landlord gives a no cause eviction notice. Prepare to leave in the next 6 months

Doubt OP will be back

It's not your house.

You requested the repair.

If you were my tenant, I would be furious that you sent the glazer away, and you'd be paying any costs involved.

I agree with you about the terribleness of replacing the beautiful old glass but you can have an opinion about that when you own a house.

It’s not your house , it may be your home but these sort of decisions rest with the owner .

So you logged a repair request and then agreed to the repair, then sent the glazier away?

You don't own the house. I suspect you'll be charged for the glaziers costs and the ll will be counting down the days until you can be made to leave.

Yep, break clause termination incoming

You (as tenants) can't request a repair to something and then send the contractor away when he turns up to fix/replace it!

If you want it a certain way, I'm sure the landlord would allow you pay for it to be replaced with stained glass.

I would also absolutely expect to receive a bill for the contractor's waste of time

The house isn't listed, presumably? Could you find a stained glass repairer and pay for it yourself? I'd be heartbroken too. Could a clear pane be installed in front of behind the panel?

Wrong post

Is the house listed or in a conservation area?

You are being incredibly unreasonable and should rightly be billed for the window fitters time.

You asked for a repair, you've got it!

Thanks everyone for the advice and clearing up what I guess I already suspected by posting here. I completely agree on the costs and have said to the agents I am willing to not only pay for the lost time of the tradesperson today, but also that I would be open to a conversation about splitting the cost with the landlord, or even paying for a repair or replica/replacement myself, to avoid loosing the original glass entirely.

I love this house and want to take really good care of it. I wish I'd had a chance earlier to discuss options. Super worried now about damage to the relationship and being asked to leave.

What on earth! It's the landlord's choice and your partner agreed to it, and then you sent them away? Bloody hell.

Are you paying high rent for a beautifully-maintained period property? While the basic principle that it is the landlord’s house not yours applies, you might be more reasonable if you are paying a premium for the period features.

I agree with you. It’s vandalism to take it out. If all else fails, could you carefully remove the stained glass and reinstall it somewhere else or frame it?

Just let him replace it. It's not your house.

Can you ask if you can keep the old stained glass panel and make some art out of it?