Upkeep of rented house

battleaxe88

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Im renting a house the past 9 months. I have recently appraoched him about the house getting a fresh coat of paint. All the walls and doors are dirty and in every room theres patches painted in different shades of cream, aound door frames etc. I also told him that my brother in law, who owns a property maintenence company, would paint the whole house and doors for €300, including the paint. The landlord told me the house hasnt been painted in about 4 years. He seems very reluctant to agree to the house been painted, he said he was " taken aback" when i said the walls were dirty!

My lease is up in March. If he doesnt paint it ill more than likely move out. When we first moved moved in he said he wanted long term tenants, which is what i wanna be. Were a family of 3, myself, my partner andour 2 year old. rent always on time and im a clean freak!:)

Has anyone had this problem and how did you deal with it??

Chessala

Well I'm not sure how this is handled in the country (only having lived in Ireland for 15 months) but currently my house needs a good painting too.

And usually when it comes to painting the inside I don't see a reason to do ask the landlord when I can just as well do it myself. A Bucket of decent paint is cheap enough and doing it yourself will be by far cheaper than 300€.

If you don't want to carry the paint costs ask if he would refund those to you or reduce the cost from the rent over a period of time.
Maybe include your kids (if they aren't too small and let them paint their rooms. It's great fun if you go about it the right way....

battleaxe88

i wouldnt mind painting the house if that was an option but its not really suitable for me. The way I see it is, if he wants a tenant in for at least 3 years (he mentioned thats what he wants when we were viewing the house) he should at least paint the house. I dont think im being unreasonable. The sofas are in bits, there torn and very worn but im willing to buy cheap sofas and will leave the newer ones when i move out, whenever that may be.

edellc

I rent too and have had to live in filthy accommodation that LL wont paint and with ****ty furniture that they wont replace

Like you I want to be a long term tenant but for the rent that these LL are asking I get really annoyed that I am the one expected to paint the filthy walls or buy cheap furniture for their further usage once I am gone these feckers are getting 1000euro a month which in some cases is not paying a mortgage and even if it is their mortgage is not that amount per month

We need proper laws protecting tenants and landlords and a higher standard of rental if they are going to continue charging extortionate rates

battleaxe88

edellc wrote: »

I rent too and have had to live in filthy accommodation that LL wont paint and with ****ty furniture that they wont replace

Like you I want to be a long term tenant but for the rent that these LL are asking I get really annoyed that I am the one expected to paint the filthy walls or buy cheap furniture for their further usage once I am gone these feckers are getting 1000euro a month which in some cases is not paying a mortgage and even if it is their mortgage is not that amount per month

We need proper laws protecting tenants and landlords and a higher standard of rental if they are going to continue charging extortionate rates

I agree with you totally! like were paying 12k a year. My last landlord was actually the best! I asked for new carpet and he agreed with no hesitation. I would love to have him as a landlord again, but the apartment was gettin too small for my family. If its not painted i'll move out, id rather pay for a nicer house for same price!

Ray Palmer

edellc wrote: »

I rent too and have had to live in filthy accommodation that LL wont paint and with ****ty furniture that they wont replace

Like you I want to be a long term tenant but for the rent that these LL are asking I get really annoyed that I am the one expected to paint the filthy walls or buy cheap furniture for their further usage once I am gone these feckers are getting 1000euro a month which in some cases is not paying a mortgage and even if it is their mortgage is not that amount per month

We need proper laws protecting tenants and landlords and a higher standard of rental if they are going to continue charging extortionate rates

Your choice to rent those places. You don't get the economics of renting either. €1000 is instantly halfed by tax and if they have a mortgage the rest and some more probably.

I have never expected a tenant to furnish a place.

€300 to paint the place is amazingly cheap I'd bite your arm off to get it done for that. Normally change whatever the tenant has a issue with once it is over a year old. Somethings I will be a bit more resistant on such as putting shelves up. One tenant went crazy screwing things into the wall once.

Generally if you are renting I would buy cheap goods as they get replaced. If the tenant has been there a long time and keeps the place well I replace the stuff with better materials as I know they will be more comforatable. I'd rather have a long term tenant than a short term one. The reality is I could probably make more by not doing this.

battleaxe88

Thats the thing. €300 is so cheap. Thats doors painted as well! The way I see it its a win win when it comes to the painting been done.If he allows it to be painted I'll be a tenant for a long time.If he doesnt paint it I'll more than likely move out, he'll have the hassle of finding new tenants who will prob ask about paint in anyway!He's getting a great price, he'd find it hard to get his whole house painted by a professional with paint supplied for any cheaper. The house being re-painted is unavoidable regardless if its with me as a tenant or somebody else. As i mentioned it has been at least 4 years since its last coat of paint.

edellc

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Your choice to rent those places. You don't get the economics of renting either. €1000 is instantly halfed by tax and if they have a mortgage the rest and some more probably.

I have never expected a tenant to furnish a place.

€300 to paint the place is amazingly cheap I'd bite your arm off to get it done for that. Normally change whatever the tenant has a issue with once it is over a year old. Somethings I will be a bit more resistant on such as putting shelves up. One tenant went crazy screwing things into the wall once.

Generally if you are renting I would buy cheap goods as they get replaced. If the tenant has been there a long time and keeps the place well I replace the stuff with better materials as I know they will be more comforatable. I'd rather have a long term tenant than a short term one. The reality is I could probably make more by not doing this.

I really dont care about the economics of renting a place from the landlords point of view Ray, all I want to do is pay my money for a decent place to live for my family long term that is comfortable. I take excellent care of the properties I have lived in and have painted them all and bought furniture for them all and left them in better condition that when I first moved in.

Yes I do have to rent and no I dont have the choice about doing that however much I have worked my ass off I have never been able to save for a deposit to buy my own home so I'm stuck renting.

When viewing a place you really dont see all the problems with it and you certainly dont notice how uncomfortable and crappy the sofa/beds are until your living there

Ray Palmer

edellc wrote: »

I really dont care about the economics of renting a place from the landlords point of view Ray,

Well then you really can't argue that LL should care about your personal economics. You rent in the lower end of the market and you get what you pay for. Want a better place then pay for it.

You basically are making an argument regardless of the costs you should get a higher level accomadation. If this was enforced rent would just go up and there would be less to rent. That is why they don't bring in such legislation.

borderlinemeath

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Im renting a house the past 9 months. I have recently appraoched him about the house getting a fresh coat of paint. All the walls and doors are dirty and in every room theres patches painted in different shades of cream, aound door frames etc. I also told him that my brother in law, who owns a property maintenence company, would paint the whole house and doors for €300, including the paint. The landlord told me the house hasnt been painted in about 4 years. He seems very reluctant to agree to the house been painted, he said he was " taken aback" when i said the walls were dirty!

My lease is up in March. If he doesnt paint it ill more than likely move out. When we first moved moved in he said he wanted long term tenants, which is what i wanna be. Were a family of 3, myself, my partner andour 2 year old. rent always on time and im a clean freak!

Has anyone had this problem and how did you deal with it??

Maybe you're not phrasing it right:)

If the walls are dirty, wash them.:D Lots of people do this between coats of paint.

If the paintwork is tired and chipping/flaking, then it needs repainting.

I'm sure by you going to the landlord saying the walls are dirty, he has visions that you're not maintaining it very well. I would'n't be suprised at him being taken aback. So rather than telling him the walls are dirty, tell him that the paintwork isn't in great nick, that there's been different shades of cream used and it doesn't look great.

TBH some landlords don't/won't repaint until a tenant moves out and will give it a fresh coat before a new tenant moves in so maybe he's waiting until the end of your lease to see will you stay or will you go. If the paintwork is a dealbreaker he'll probably get it painted then. I doubt very much he would use somebody other than his own maintenence people so don't take it the wrong way if he won't use your relative, irrespective of price.

If you intend to be long term tenants and you're happy with all other aspects of the property would you not consider doing it yourself? I haven't rented in years but my sister has rented long term from the same landlord for the past 7 years and has no problem painting herself. She wouldn't dream of contacting the landlord to do it.

battleaxe88

I have shown the landolord the walls and shown him why they need painting. He said he was happy to go with my brother in law, if he was to agree. Its not really suitable to paint it myself, im a full time parent and it would just be unrealistic to try paint the house and look after my daughter. The dirt on the doors require more than a wipe, I scrubbed the house when i moved in the dirt wont budge. He wasnts longterm tenants, this was something he made very clear when we viewed the house.

borderlinemeath

battleaxe88 wrote: »

I have shown the landolord the walls and shown him why they need painting. He said he was happy to go with my brother in law, if he was to agree. Its not really suitable to paint it myself, im a full time parent and it would just be unrealistic to try paint the house and look after my daughter. The dirt on the doors require more than a wipe, I scrubbed the house when i moved in the dirt wont budge. He wasnts longterm tenants, this was something he made very clear when we viewed the house.

So problems are all solved;)

Although, not having a go, a lot of people have kids and manage to paint their own houses. It's not really a viable excuse. If you owned your own home and couldn't afford to get somebody to paint the house for you - what would you do?

battleaxe88

Not all solved. He still hasn't agreed to let it be painted. I suppose if that was the case I'd have to figure something else out but as a tenant I dont have to worry about that yet. I also dont think I need an excuse to not paint his house in all fairness. His house, his responsibility.

big syke

borderlinemeath wrote: »

So problems are all solved;)

Although, not having a go, a lot of people have kids and manage to paint their own houses. It's not really a viable excuse. If you owned your own home and couldn't afford to get somebody to paint the house for you - what would you do?

Well having kids and watchin them is a viable excuse for not painting a whole house...

But she doesnt own her own home...

Why should the OP paint someone elses house that hasn't been painted in 4 years and that apparently needs a paint??

Ray Palmer

big syke wrote: »

Well having kids and watchin them is a viable excuse for not painting a whole house...

But she doesnt own her own home...

Why should the OP paint someone elses house that hasn't been painted in 4 years and that apparently needs a paint??

Did you mean "hole"

Tenants painting thier home is not unheard of. Anyway having a child does not mean you are incapable of painting yourself which was the point and seems pretty valid. Living in a place is a valid enough reason to paint. Amazingly this is what lots of other people do.

borderlinemeath

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Not all solved. He still hasn't agreed to let it be painted. I suppose if that was the case I'd have to figure something else out but as a tenant I dont have to worry about that yet. I also dont think I need an excuse to not paint his house in all fairness. His house, his responsibility.

If you feel you don't need an excuse then you really shouldn't use your child as one.

It may be "his house, his responsibility" but if you really wanted to have freshly painted walls as you are a "clean freak" I would suggest find a new place to live or suck it up and paint it yourself.

But don't use the poor me, I have a child to mind excuse. It doesn't really wash well. People have been parents since time began, it doesn't stop them getting on with things.

big syke

borderlinemeath wrote: »

If you feel you don't need an excuse then you really shouldn't use your child as one.

It may be "his house, his responsibility" but if you really wanted to have freshly painted walls as you are a "clean freak" I would suggest find a new place to live or suck it up and paint it yourself.

But don't use the poor me, I have a child to mind excuse. It doesn't really wash well. People have been parents since time began, it doesn't stop them getting on with things.

battleaxe88 wrote: »

All the walls and doors are dirty and in every room theres patches painted in different shades of cream, aound door frames etc.
Has anyone had this problem and how did you deal with it??

Where was the painted walls because im a clean freek point made? OP wants walls painted because they need to be painted...

Why should she suck it up?

Four years without a paint from a LL that wants long term tennants...he should bite OP's hand off at that €300 offer.

battleaxe88

borderlinemeath wrote: »

If you feel you don't need an excuse then you really shouldn't use your child as one.

It may be "his house, his responsibility" but if you really wanted to have freshly painted walls as you are a "clean freak" I would suggest find a new place to live or suck it up and paint it yourself.

But don't use the poor me, I have a child to mind excuse. It doesn't really wash well. People have been parents since time began, it doesn't stop them getting on with things.

Having a child at home to look after is not an excuse its fact. Regardless of what you may think, for me its not an option to leave my child to look after herself so I can paint someone elses house. Like i said if he doesnt agree to paint it I will move out.

borderlinemeath

big syke wrote: »

Where was the painted walls because im a clean freek point made? OP wants walls painted because they need to be painted...

Why should she suck it up?

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Im renting a house the past 9 months. I have recently appraoched him about the house getting a fresh coat of paint. All the walls and doors are dirty and in every room theres patches painted in different shades of cream, aound door frames etc. I also told him that my brother in law, who owns a property maintenence company, would paint the whole house and doors for €300, including the paint. The landlord told me the house hasnt been painted in about 4 years. He seems very reluctant to agree to the house been painted, he said he was " taken aback" when i said the walls were dirty!

My lease is up in March. If he doesnt paint it ill more than likely move out. When we first moved moved in he said he wanted long term tenants, which is what i wanna be. Were a family of 3, myself, my partner andour 2 year old. rent always on time and im a clean freak!

Has anyone had this problem and how did you deal with it??

And is a self confessed clean freak:rolleyes:

If the tenant is not happy with the property then she has every right to move at the end of her lease. She admits the landlord was "taken aback" when told the walls were "dirty" and as a self confessed "clean freak" who has scrubbed the walls, I can only assume the walls aren't dirty but differing shades of cream that perhaps can look dirty when against each other. Some shades of cream can look dull against lighter shades, particularly in daylight.

Also using a child as an excuse not to do something doesn't wash with me. It makes a mockery of parents who actually do struggle and get on with things.

RangeR

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Having a child at home to look after is not an excuse its fact. Regardless of what you may think, for me its not an option to leave my child to look after herself so I can paint someone elses house. Like i said if he doesnt agree to paint it I will move out.

Honestly, good riddance.

IF I was renting, the property might not be mine, bu it WOULD be my home. I wouldn't let it get into a state where I'd not want to live there. Either move out or paint the walls. Less of the "entitled" attitude. It may be the LL's property but YOU have to live there.

I can remember way back as early as being about 4 or 5 years old and my mother, a single parent at the time, cleaning house, wall papering or painting as needed. She managed because she had to. I think she did a damn fine job.

borderlinemeath

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Having a child at home to look after is not an excuse its fact. Regardless of what you may think, for me its not an option to leave my child to look after herself so I can paint someone elses house. Like i said if he doesnt agree to paint it I will move out.

Hold on, you're a two parent family, I assume your partner/husband doesn't work 7 days a week. Most people use the weekend for home improvements/diy etc. Nobody said you were to leave your child to look after herself. And as you say it's a fact, and people get on with things while having children. That's a fact.

I would actually advise you to move and get a brand new clean freshly painted house. As your child is now a toddler I'm sure you'll be able to keep the walls fresh and new while not allowing your child paint/crayons/food that may end up on the walls. Your new landlord will love you.:D

Juwwi

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Also using a child as an excuse not to do something doesn't wash with me. It makes a mockery of parents who actually do struggle and get on with things.

Why should the OP have to paint the house herself?

She does'nt own the house its up to the landlord to to maintain the house.

The OP is not professional painter and will not have the proper tools for the job or insurance.
What happens if she spills paint on carpet who will be responsible?
What happens if the tv gets knocked over?
The list is endless.

battleaxe88

As I stated in my first post im here 9 months. I didnt let it get in this state. I am aware of the differenc between different shades of cream and dirt. I do not care how you feel about mothers "getting on with things" thats not the issue here.

battleaxe88

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Hold on, you're a two parent family, I assume your partner/husband doesn't work 7 days a week. Most people use the weekend for home improvements/diy etc. Nobody said you were to leave your child to look after herself. And as you say it's a fact, and people get on with things while having children. That's a fact.

I would actually advise you to move and get a brand new clean freshly painted house. As your child is now a toddler I'm sure you'll be able to keep the walls fresh and new while not allowing your child paint/crayons/food that may end up on the walls. Your new landlord will love you.:D

Your being ridiculous. The fact is the house needs painting. Not allowing my child paint/food/crayons. Who are you to say what i would allow.

borderlinemeath

robbie1977 wrote: »

Why should the OP have to paint the house herself?

She does'nt own the house its up to the landlord to to maintain the house.

The OP is not professional painter and will not have the proper tools for the job or insurance.
What happens if she spills paint on carpet who will be responsible?
What happens if the tv gets knocked over?
The list is endless.

Yeah, painting is a very professional job. In fact you need a masters degree to be able to open a tin of paint. How on earth did I manage to paint my living room during the summer when I'm not a professional:D

borderlinemeath

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Your being ridiculous. The fact is the house needs painting. Not allowing my child paint/food/crayons. Who are you to say what i would allow.

Bless. See the little smiley at the end of the sentence?? That means I was joking/taking the pi$$, call it what you will. Try and read the sentence before getting worked up.

We only have your opinion that the house needs painting. As you said yourself the landlord was taken aback when you said the walls were dirty.
As you have only 3 months left on your lease I would imagine he is waiting to see if you stay or go before making a decision on whether to paint them. Why paint them now when you may well turn around and say you're leaving??

Juwwi

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Yeah, painting is a very professional job. In fact you need a masters degree to be able to open a tin of paint. How on earth did I manage to paint my living room during the summer when I'm not a professional:D

What has you painting your sitting room got to do with anything?

Again I'll ask in your opinion why should she paint a rented house
that the landlord is responsible for the up keep of?

As I've said she does'nt have insurance for the job.

borderlinemeath

robbie1977 wrote: »

What has you painting your sitting room got to do with anything?

Again I'll ask in your opinion why should she paint a rented house
that the landlord is responsible for the up keep of?

As I've said she does'nt have insurance for the job.

In my other posts I've stated that if she wants to paint the house herself she can, it's not against the law.

Maintenence is one thing. Painting the house when the lease is about to expire is quite another. Until the tenant has signed a lease to state she would stay another year as I landlord I wouldn't agree to paint anything.

Insurance for what exactly?? For a trip or a fall? Or for damage to the property. Tenants should have their own insurance anyhow, landlords insurance tends not to include contents unless they have specifically stated that they want to include tenants contents. Some companies don't/won't cover landlords contents. Plenty of tenants paint their rental houses and I'm sure they haven't got "professional" insurance.

Juwwi

borderlinemeath wrote: »

In my other posts I've stated that if she wants to paint the house herself she can, it's not against the law.

Maintenence is one thing. Painting the house when the lease is about to expire is quite another. Until the tenant has signed a lease to state she would stay another year as I landlord I wouldn't agree to paint anything.

Insurance for what exactly?? For a trip or a fall? Or for damage to the property. Tenants should have their own insurance anyhow, landlords insurance tends not to include contents unless they have specifically stated that they want to include tenants contents. Some companies don't/won't cover landlords contents. Plenty of tenants paint their rental houses and I'm sure they haven't got "professional" insurance.

But she has clearly indicated she has no interest in painting the house herself.
tho.

Im after giving you two examples of problems that could arise from her trying to paint the house without proper materials.

Infact by her painting the house unless she finishes it in a high enough standard of finish she could risk losing her deposit for any costs of putting right any bad work.

OP your better off just telling the landlord if its not painted
you will be moving out when the lease is up and that your brother in laws quote wont last forever.
Sure after buying the paint he could'nt have much left for the labour anyway.

BostonB

Paint a house well is definitely a skill, which requires experience. In my experience most people do it badly, even many tradesmen do it badly. The LL gains nothing by getting a house painted badly, it just means you'll probably end up painting it early then usual as most won't prepare surfaces properly, or know how to avoid drips, runs, or get a straight line at an edge. Never mind repairing wood work, plaster, etc.

Unless previously agreed a tenant has no permission to paint or make similar modifications to a property.

If a tenant wants to keep a good tenant there should be no issue with getting the place painted.

edellc

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Well then you really can't argue that LL should care about your personal economics. You rent in the lower end of the market and you get what you pay for. Want a better place then pay for it.

You basically are making an argument regardless of the costs you should get a higher level accomadation. If this was enforced rent would just go up and there would be less to rent. That is why they don't bring in such legislation.

I'm not even going to bother with you Ray you really have no idea on the reality of life as is evident from most of your posts

and i am not making any such argument I wish to be a long term tenant who respects and looks after the property I am in and ask for reasonable furniture within such properties I dont think that is asking for too much

Victor

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Bless. See the little smiley at the end of the sentence?? That means I was joking/taking the pi$$, call it what you will. Try and read the sentence before getting worked up.

Leave the noobs alone.

edellc wrote: »

I'm not even going to bother with you Ray you really have no idea on the reality of life as is evident from most of your posts

That is a bit sweeping and probably unfair.

There is more than one 'reality'.

Azureus

I think if you want your house repainted at a cost (even though 300 is cheap) then usually I would request this at the start of the lease, or before i intended to renew it, not halway through the tenancy. If you've been there 9 months either it was bad since you've been there, at which point you should have requested it at the start, or its been caused by you at which point they shouldn't have to pay.
I think that halfway through the tenancy you should be able to request the materials (ie the paint) to be provided but the labour is your responsibility if its not at the start (before you move in) or end (before you renew).
I requested paint from my landlord because I noticed that my walls were a bit grubby (it happens, especially with the cheap white/magnolia paint usually used in rentals) and it was provided no problem. I wouldnt expect them to provide labour though-I'll do it myself! I know its harder when you've kids but its definately possible. Im from a single parent family and my mother often repainted the whole house when we were kids-just tapped away at it one room at a time.

Zulu

Just throwing this out there: hows your relationship with your LL other than that?

Perhaps he doesn't trust your brother-in-law, or perhaps he thinks you intend to paint it yourself & charge him the €300.

Perhaps he thinks this is a fiddle. €300 is very cheap for a whole house.

Snakeblood

Zulu wrote: »

Just throwing this out there: hows your relationship with your LL other than that?

Perhaps he doesn't trust your brother-in-law, or perhaps he thinks you intend to paint it yourself & charge him the €300.

Perhaps he thinks this is a fiddle. €300 is very cheap for a whole house.

In which case, he should pay for the place to be painted (as apparently it needs it) by someone he trusts. He doesn't have to to the brother in law, he could just pay the market rate to keep a well presented house for his tenants.

BostonB

I've yet to see a cheap painting job that didn't start flaking off in a year. Usually they don't prepare the surfaces properly and just paint over whats there. A complete mess.

borderlinemeath

BostonB wrote: »

I've yet to see a cheap painting job that didn't start flaking off in a year. Usually they don't prepare the surfaces properly and just paint over whats there. A complete mess.

That's a bit of a sweeping statement. What is a "cheap" paint job? Cheap materials or lack of preparation or only one layer of paint?

I'm not a professional and wouldn't buy the most expensive rollers/brushes or paint but I've managed to keep paint on walls. I painted my own house back in 2002 and it's been redone twice since and is perfect.

BostonB

I assume you don't pay yourself to do your own house so thats not valid or useful comparison.

The premise is, you are paying the true cost of the job. If the budget doesn't over the basic costs, like the labour time required to prepare the surfaces, then its not being done.

scaryfairy

battleaxe88 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Im renting a house the past 9 months. I have recently appraoched him about the house getting a fresh coat of paint. All the walls and doors are dirty and in every room theres patches painted in different shades of cream, aound door frames etc. I also told him that my brother in law, who owns a property maintenence company, would paint the whole house and doors for €300, including the paint. The landlord told me the house hasnt been painted in about 4 years. He seems very reluctant to agree to the house been painted, he said he was " taken aback" when i said the walls were dirty!

My lease is up in March. If he doesnt paint it ill more than likely move out. When we first moved moved in he said he wanted long term tenants, which is what i wanna be. Were a family of 3, myself, my partner andour 2 year old. rent always on time and im a clean freak!:)

Has anyone had this problem and how did you deal with it??

hi,
we were in a similar situation a few years ago. the place looked rather sad when we moved in but thanks to price, size, location etc it was too good to miss. We asked before moving in if they would repaint but they said no. A couple of months later we asked again, and the LL did it himself (who was quite hard up), which was a bit of pain as he spent 3-4 Sundays with us... (had to remove wall papers etc) but was worth it. He paid for the paint and of course spent all this time on doing it.
We got a bit excited after that and offered to pay for the tiling of the bathroom (they had blue carpet!!! :eek:). He accepted, did it himself and it was money (not a crazy amount, just the tiles etc) well spent.

Would you consider offering to share the costs? say, paying 1/3 of the €300 or sth? It's so much hassle to move out and at least when we move, it's also costs quite a bit - might be worth meeting him halfway?