Awful mattress

MmmmmCheese

Hi all,

Just moved in to a new place yesterday and the mattress is unbearably uncomfortable, as in lying on it feels like lying on springs covered in a thin sheet of material.

Keeping it is not an option, but what I'm wondering is would it be out of line to ask the landlord to replace it with another one? Or is this something the tenant would be expected to bear the cost of themselves? As we've just moved in I'd like to keep on good terms with the landlord. I've suffered through some awful mattresses in my time but this one just can't be grin and beared.

greentea is just wrong

I'd ask for a replacement. Ask them to come around to see what you are talking about. I've done this before and it was replaced alright.

If you think about the cost of a mattress vs the rent you will be paying over the next year, it's not a big ask from a landlord.

Muirshin Durkin

Is it a new mattress? I could be wrong but i think landlords are supposed to replace the old mattress before a new tenant moves in, was the case when i moved in to my place.

Barely Hedged

Muirshin Durkin wrote: »

Is it a new mattress? I could be wrong but i think landlords are supposed to replace the old mattress before a new tenant moves in, was the case when i moved in to my place.

You are wrong. A landlord is under no obligation to provide a new mattress

Pawwed Rig

A mattress is the most important piece of furniture you have. Buy your own and get a good one. A landlord won't (and shouldn't) provide a good mattress as they are way too expensive.

ted1

Buy your own one, landlords get cheap ones , previous tenant could have pissed in it ever night among other things, you spend 33% of the day in it. Spend money , get a good one that you can take with you when you move out

4ensic15

No harm in telling the landlord that the mattress is crap. If they refuse to change move. Any landlord who won't provide a half decent mattress is going to be mean about everything else.

Wabbit Ears

4ensic15 wrote:

No harm in telling the landlord that the mattress is crap. If they refuse to change move. Any landlord who won't provide a half decent mattress is going to be mean about everything else.

Sorry but in my experience no landlord provides good may matresses.

Ask the landlord to remove the existing one and get your own that you've chosen to be comfortable for you.

Pawwed Rig

A good mattress costs at a minimum €500 but more realistically you are talking about €1,000 plus. A landlord who gives that to a tenant will not survive long as a landlord. Mattress in rented accommodation is essentially a consumable item which should be cheap and replaced often. My bed and mattress have moved with me through 4 different rental properties.

Always laugh at people who spend huge money on a car where they spend an hour or so a day and scrimp on a mattress where they spend a third of the time.

CaoimheSquee

We had this same problem and shopped around online and managed to find a second hand, but genuinely like new ergoflex mattress.
It is a dream.
The couple who had it were replacing to get a king size and I can understand why, the double is so good I would change up for the king size as soon as we have the money. They had all the original packaging and even delivered it to us. It was a great deal. They are out there!

El_Dangeroso

A mattress doesn't need to cost 500 or even 1K to be a good one. Harvey Norman have good deals all the time and I hear the ikea mattresses are not bad either.

Been renting for 6 years with my own mattress and there's no way I'd go back to sleeping on an awful pre-used one that landlords have.

Get your own, it should be the standard IMO.

testaccount123

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Ask the landlord to remove the existing one and get your own that you've chosen to be comfortable for you.

The landlord is under no obligation to remove the existing mattress either.

physioman

MmmmmCheese wrote: »

Hi all,

Just moved in to a new place yesterday and the mattress is unbearably uncomfortable, as in lying on it feels like lying on springs covered in a thin sheet of material.

Keeping it is not an option, but what I'm wondering is would it be out of line to ask the landlord to replace it with another one? Or is this something the tenant would be expected to bear the cost of themselves? As we've just moved in I'd like to keep on good terms with the landlord. I've suffered through some awful mattresses in my time but this one just can't be grin and beared.[/q

When we moved into our current place, the matress was terribly uncomfortable. My sister in law gave us a great tip. Get a duvet. Place it over the mattress and tuck it in around the edges. Then put on your matress sheet. Made such a difference and very comfortable. Will do you until you decide what to do

Wabbit Ears

testaccount123 wrote: »

The landlord is under no obligation to remove the existing mattress either.

Of course, But you can ask, hence why I used the word 'Ask' and not 'Tell'.

lima

You can be sure a landlord is deducting 12.5% from his tax liabilities for the cost of his furniture, and will continue to do so once he buys a new one.

Demand a new one OP, the landlord can well afford it and can offset the cost against his tax liabilities at 12.5% per year.

testaccount123

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Of course, But you can ask, hence why I used the word 'Ask' and not 'Tell'.

You can ask Irish landlords a lot of things, the reality of your request being met in entirely another matter. My experience is that they have been hesitant to remove the crap they pass off as furniture.

Polo_Mint

lima wrote: »

You can be sure a landlord is deducting 12.5% from his tax liabilities for the cost of his furniture, and will continue to do so once he buys a new one.

Demand a new one OP, the landlord can well afford it and can offset the cost against his tax liabilities at 12.5% per year.

lol

OP Buy a mattress that suits your needs

Pawwed Rig

lima wrote: »

Demand a new one OP, the landlord can well afford it and can offset the cost against his tax liabilities at 12.5% per year.

How do you know what the financial position of the landlord is?
I would be more inclined to expense a mattress rather than claim capital allowances on it.
Being 'demanding' in a new tenancy is a high risk strategy considering the tenant does not have part 4 rights yet

Barely Hedged

lima wrote: »

You can be sure a landlord is deducting 12.5% from his tax liabilities for the cost of his furniture, and will continue to do so once he buys a new one.

Demand a new one OP, the landlord can well afford it and can offset the cost against his tax liabilities at 12.5% per year.

Assuming the mattress has a life span of 8 years.

In a rental property, you must be joking - regardless of the cost

Explosive_Cornflake

I've asked before and got one. I'm not a fan of asking for things in places I rent though. It was the only contact I had with the landlord in 4.5 years.

On moving out I got a letter thanking me for keeping the place so well.

I'm using an ikea one now. It's good and not super expensive. I tried a mattress topper also and it was pretty good.

Pawwed Rig

Some are of course. Not sure what that has to do with a mattress though

lima

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Some are of course. Not sure what that has to do with a mattress though

The tenant is requesting that the landlord adheres to the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008

The landlord has a legal duty to make sure that a home meets certain minimum physical standards. Furnishings must be maintained in good condition and repair.

Giblet

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Being 'demanding' in a new tenancy is a high risk strategy considering the tenant does not have part 4 rights yet

If they have a lease they are protected by it for the term of these lease, Part 4 doesn't give extra protection over a lease in most cases unless there is a get out clause in the lease itself.

OP: Get a mattress yourself, and keep it.

MmmmmCheese

Thanks for all the replies folks, you've beem very helpful.

So it seems the consensus is to buy a new mattress. Usually I would consider this, only I'm not sure how long we're going to be in this place as our lease is only 6 months. If we were to decide to move again after that, hauling a mattress around wouldn't exactly be ideal.

I agree with the posters saying not to demand things at the start of a new tenancy. My strategy was going to be more like timidly ask and see where I got!

I quite liked the idea someone mentioned of putting a duvet between the mattress and bedsheets, we'll probably give that one a go.

Polo_Mint

The Landlord is not your mom or dad.

Because the Mattress is uncomfortable for the OP doesn't mean it would be uncomfortable for someone else.

Good Mattresses are a luxury, not a necessity.

*Rings landlord do demand recliners to replace my chairs*

April 73

Polo_Mint wrote: »

The Landlord is not your mom or dad.

Because the Mattress is uncomfortable for the OP doesn't mean it would be uncomfortable for someone else.

Good Mattresses are a luxury, not a necessity.

*Rings landlord do demand recliners to replace my chairs*

I had this thought myself. Tenant doesn't like the sofas provided or their comfort so asks for new ones. But sure, the landlord "can afford it".

lima

Polo_Mint wrote: »

The Landlord is not your mom or dad.

Because the Mattress is uncomfortable for the OP doesn't mean it would be uncomfortable for someone else.

Good Mattresses are a luxury, not a necessity.

*Rings landlord do demand recliners to replace my chairs*

Mattresses become uncomfortable because of wear and tear.

See post 23 and get back to me with something constructive


*Goes back to my Irish 'mam' for a cup of tea*

lima

MmmmmCheese wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies folks, you've beem very helpful.

So it seems the consensus is to buy a new mattress. Usually I would consider this, only I'm not sure how long we're going to be in this place as our lease is only 6 months. If we were to decide to move again after that, hauling a mattress around wouldn't exactly be ideal.

I agree with the posters saying not to demand things at the start of a new tenancy. My strategy was going to be more like timidly ask and see where I got!

I quite liked the idea someone mentioned of putting a duvet between the mattress and bedsheets, we'll probably give that one a go.

You have every right to request things if they are not up to legal standards. Be demanding, you are paying high costs for a service.

Dublin21

If its clearly an old mattress that has been 'used and abused' I would at least ask the question of the landlord!

If the property is advertised as 'Furnished' you would expect to have some level of comfort when using those items.

If a landlord is not willing to replace items which are clearly old and unusable then they should get rid of them and either advertise as unfurnished or 'in need of own bed' etc..

When we moved into our current rental property the 2nd bedroom had a mattress that had a bit of duct tape securing one of he corners as it was ripped.
We got a new one when we pointed that out.
Some will, some won't - no harm to ask.

musicfan1ie

lima wrote: »

You can be sure a landlord is deducting 12.5% from his tax liabilities for the cost of his furniture, and will continue to do so once he buys a new one.

Demand a new one OP, the landlord can well afford it and can offset the cost against his tax liabilities at 12.5% per year.

The well afford it bit made me laugh. I rent out a place and I have to subsidise it about €400 a month on top of tenants rent, to cover mortgage, management company charge, management agent fees,other expenses and tax.

And I don't do it as a way to make money. I bought in 2005 and then, had to relocate to England for work. So now I have the pleasure of paying rent in England and subsidising my mortgage.

Yeah, I love spending my spare money on the property, because all landlords are so clearly minted!!!

the_syco

ted1 wrote: »

Spend money , get a good one that you can take with you when you move out

This. There may be nothing wrong with the current mattress, and the replacement may be the same. Check out beds.ie

razorblunt

If you're stuck you could try and buy a mattress topper that may act as a bit of a buffer for you.

fussyonion

When I was living in privately rented accommodation, I immediately went out and bought my own mattress.
It cost €800 and is the best thing I ever bought.

My LL removed his bed on my request and now I'm living somewhere else, I have my mattress with me.

As a previous poster mentioned, it's best to pick your own mattress and sleep in comfort and take it with you..it's hardly a big hassle to move and in the end it's an investment in your sleep quality and overall health.

maggiepip

Get a memory foam topper, they'll make almost any mattress comfortable.

ted1

lima wrote: »

You have every right to request things if they are not up to legal standards. Be demanding, you are paying high costs for a service.

when quoting legal standards you need to provide reference to them. if they do exist, they are often misinterpreted.

lima

ted1 wrote: »

when quoting legal standards you need to provide reference to them. if they do exist, they are often misinterpreted.

Again, read post 23.

Polo_Mint

lima wrote: »

Again, read post 23.

Post 23 has no reference to an uncomfortable mattress.

super_furry

Think it would be fair to ask him to either replace the mattress or remove it so you can get your own.

lima

Polo_Mint wrote: »

Post 23 has no reference to an uncomfortable mattress.

It's sometimes hard to assess whether posters have a grasp on the ability to figure things out, nevertheless I will assume you do and you are just trolling.

Polo_Mint

lima wrote: »

It's sometimes hard to assess whether posters have a grasp on the ability to figure things out, nevertheless I will assume you do and you are just trolling.

im not trolling

By your logic, Post 23 would mean when a light bulb blows the landlord is responsible for replacing it.

Did you demand payment for light bulbs when you were a tenant?

testaccount123

Polo_Mint wrote: »

im not trolling

By your logic, Post 23 would mean when a light bulb blows the landlord is responsible for replacing it.

Did you demand payment for light bulbs when you were a tenant?

A lightbulb is not a furnishing. The problem is that we have people paying 15 thousand euro a year to live in accommodation furnished with utter junk fit only for a skip and many landlords who whinge and moan when you ask them to remove the junk so you can put decent furnishings in place.

H3llR4iser

OP, talk to the landlord; Ultimately, it's their interest as well to keep the property in good conditions, and a mattress is part of it. Whenever I am looking for a new place, one of the things I would do is...test the bed(s), even if the agents look at me like I was a gray alien.

Most likely, the current mattress is simply worn out and a new one will be there for the length of your tenancy, the next one, and then the next one and so on. A decent mattress doesn't have to cost 1000 Euro, there are much cheaper options - they won't be the best, but certainly better than a worn one.

Alternatively, you need to be prepared to just buy a new one and leave it in the property when you leave. I ended up doing something similar with the one really bad landlord I encountered this far - I replaced and/or repaired multiple broken or worn items out of my pocket, as he would just ignore any request/warning. It might be a small price to pay for your own comfort.

Having a "personal" mattress you drag around to rented properties can be a big hindrance - many if not most landlords will be unable to just "remove" stuff from the apartment or house, just because they'd have nowhere to store big items. And I guess you don't wanna live a few years with the old mattress wrapped in plastic and propped up against a wall...

emeldc

lima wrote: »

It's sometimes hard to assess whether posters have a grasp on the ability to figure things out, nevertheless I will assume you do and you are just trolling.

Just as you have the ability to figure out that landlords can the deduct the price of mattresses from their ample profits.

beauf

lima wrote: »

,,, Furnishings must be maintained in good condition and repair.

That could simply be a new one, or used one that's not damages. Comfort is subjective.

MmmmmCheese wrote: »

H...Just moved in to a new place yesterday and the mattress is unbearably uncomfortable, as in lying on it feels like lying on springs covered in a thin sheet of material....

It can have failed internally. But if theres nothing wrong with it, a landlord might not be obliged to change it, but its a reasonable request. A LL should consider it, and facilitate if appropriate.

lima

Polo_Mint wrote: »

im not trolling

By your logic, Post 23 would mean when a light bulb blows the landlord is responsible for replacing it.

Did you demand payment for light bulbs when you were a tenant?

It's not logic, I'm quoting law. You're trying to be smart, but you're not.

When my shower broke my landlord replaced it.

lima

emeldc wrote: »

Just as you have the ability to figure out that landlords can the deduct the price of mattresses from their ample profits.

I didn't figure it out, it's well documented.

lima

beauf wrote: »

That could simply be a new one, or used one that's not damages. Comfort is subjective.

Perhaps. Not many new ones are designed with no comfort in mind though.

Comfort is subjective to a point. We are all humans so comfort can easily be assessed in this situation.

beauf

lima wrote: »

Perhaps. Not many new ones are designed with no comfort in mind though.

Comfort is subjective to a point. We are all humans so comfort can easily be assessed in this situation.

Comfort isn't specified in the legal requirement, though. I've certainly bought a cheap new mattress and found it so uncomfortable to be usable by me. But others have slept on it and found it not as bad.

So this issue isn't about the legal requirement, but retaining a good tenant, and a good tenant/LL relationship.

lima

beauf wrote: »

Comfort isn't specified in the legal requirement, though. I've certainly bought a cheap new mattress and found it so uncomfortable to be usable by me. But others have slept on it and found it not as bad.

So this issue isn't about the legal requirement, but retaining a good tenant, and a good tenant/LL relationship.

Furnishings must be maintained in good condition though, which, due to lack of elaboration in law, is subjective. Nonetheless, the OP would have a case to argue as they are the person sleeping on it and paying for the service. Perhaps a mediator with authority can get involved.

Depending on the wear and tear involved, it will be easy to spot a mattress in bad condition. Springs may be protruding or at least are more obvious when compared to a new version of the same model of mattress. The color will be faded. There may be stains. If the OP can not determine the quality, despite for example a second opinion of a local authority representative, then they will have a weak case to argue.

If the landlord refuses, the tenant can ask the local authority to make the landlord comply.

emeldc

lima wrote: »

Furnishings must be maintained in good condition though, which, due to lack of elaboration in law, is subjective. Nonetheless, the OP would have a case to argue as they are the person sleeping on it and paying for the service. Perhaps a mediator with authority can get involved.

Depending on the wear and tear involved, it will be easy to spot a mattress in bad condition. Springs may be protruding or at least are more obvious when compared to a new version of the same model of mattress. The color will be faded. There may be stains. If the OP can not determine the quality, despite for example a second opinion of a local authority representative, then they will have a weak case to argue.

If the landlord refuses, the tenant can ask the local authority to make the landlord comply.

.....or the LL could just tell him to pack his bags and live somewhere else. Are you for real? A second opinion from the local authority?

lima

emeldc wrote: »

.....or the LL could just tell him to pack his bags and live somewhere else. Are you for real? A second opinion from the local authority?

Is utilizing your legal rights frowned upon or something?

A person pays for a service, the service is not up to legal standards. The person seeks to address this. Am I missing something? You seems startled..

There's no need to be hostile towards me, all I am doing is saying what the law says, and trying to interpret it for the benefit of the OP.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting_a_home/repairs_maintenance_and_minimum_physical_standards.html

http://www.environ.ie/en/legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/housing/FileDownLoad,19142,en.pdf

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,33422,en.pdf

http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,21710,en.pdf