Can I ask my landlord to replace the couch?

Serenesabines wrote:

I’ve been living in the house for about 8 years. There is one small two seater couch that’s not aged well. I’m actually getting pain in my neck and back from it. I have bought so many pillows and supports to make it work, but it hasn’t helped me much. It doesn’t have removable pillows, so repairing or upgrading isn’t possible. Is it very cheeky to ask my landlord to replace it?

Explain the situation to LL. Agree on a price range that he or she agrees to cover. Give the receipt .

8 years will have it depreciated to nil value. Ask away.

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Ask away.
If they won't you can pick up perfectly good second hand couches cheap or free from any of the ad websites.

Most landlords wouldn't quibble with a 8 year tenant in good standing.

I would second this. If your a decent tenant, i would be more open to this. I have even paid for repairs where i know the tenant is ar fault just because of that relationship.

If your on the naughty list, i would stop even small stuff below 50e

I have to agree with others who have suggested that the O.P. gets their own couch and to let the landlord know. When the existing couch is in the state it is, it would be very unreasonable of the landlord not to allow the tenant to do this. As someone who lived in rented accommodation for a few years, when I moved in, I told the landlord that I would rather have all my own electrical goods fridge, washing machine, dryer etc. Those that were in the house were well used. He agreed to move the same items that were in the house into storage without any quibble. Another reason for doing this was that I didn't want a situation to arise where one of these things would break down shortly before I moved out and that I would lose my deposit or maybe have to leave a brand new replacement item in the house for the landlord. The only difference between my case and that of the O.P. is that mine was a short time rental while I was building a new home.

Anyway, I think the O.P. should ask the landlord to replace the couch.

Ceist eile:
If the O.P. were to 'develop back trouble as a result of using the couch', would the landlord be held liable??

mrslancaster wrote: »

I'm very curious as to why LL's furnish property with couches, beds, tables, chairs etc etc when they are not legally obliged to?

In the past, rentals were always furnished but people generally only rented for a few years. If people are going to rent for longer terms in future, it does not make sense that they don't have their own things.

Afaik, the only requirement for a LL is to provide white goods - F/F, cooker, oven, microwave, w/m but I could be wrong.

It seems to me that LL's should start sticking exactly to the law in every aspect. Be compliant and register the tenancy, give allowed rent increases, correct notice periods, allow peaceful occupation, fix the broken stuff they need to, etc etc

Then maybe they should just do what the law says about furnishings also? It would save a lot of grief and avoid disputes over damage and deposits at the end of a tenancy.

Probably comes down to the amount they can charge.

Amazing what a bit of paint and well-placed furnishings can do to make a property look more attractive, you see some landlords nowadays buying tiny apartments with mix&match furniture on the cheap, refurnishing them and being able to rent them out for 2x the price were they'll make back the price of the upgrades within a few months.

It's similar on the continent, most apartments in Germany, The Netherlands etc. would come unfurnished in the view that folks will stay there long term and want to make the place their own and then the properties that are furnished are priced at a luxury-let rate were you're paying for the good interior design essentially.

Up Donegal wrote: »

I have to agree with others who have suggested that the O.P. gets their own couch and to let the landlord know. When the existing couch is in the state it is, it would be very unreasonable of the landlord not to allow the tenant to do this. As someone who lived in rented accommodation for a few years, when I moved in, I told the landlord that I would rather have all my own electrical goods fridge, washing machine, dryer etc. Those that were in the house were well used. He agreed to move the same items that were in the house into storage without any quibble. Another reason for doing this was that I didn't want a situation to arise where one of these things would break down shortly before I moved out and that I would lose my deposit or maybe have to leave a brand new replacement item in the house for the landlord. The only difference between my case and that of the O.P. is that mine was a short time rental while I was building a new home.

Anyway, I think the O.P. should ask the landlord to replace the couch.

Ceist eile:
If the O.P. were to 'develop back trouble as a result of using the couch', would the landlord be held liable??

Most ll would decline to move fridges etc. its more work for them and more importantly more cost especially if its only a short term let. Looks like you had a decent ll.

I would actually prefer if we went to unfurnished route so then people can have their own taste on red or purple couches instead of me putting in boring black leather etc or white appliances. I wont get phonecalls for the cheapest crap i have to put in and you feel more at home

mrslancaster wrote: »

I'm very curious as to why LL's furnish property with couches, beds, tables, chairs etc etc when they are not legally obliged to?

In the past, rentals were always furnished but people generally only rented for a few years. If people are going to rent for longer terms in future, it does not make sense that they don't have their own things.

Afaik, the only requirement for a LL is to provide white goods - F/F, cooker, oven, microwave, w/m but I could be wrong.

It seems to me that LL's should start sticking exactly to the law in every aspect. Be compliant and register the tenancy, give allowed rent increases, correct notice periods, allow peaceful occupation, fix the broken stuff they need to, etc etc

Then maybe they should just do what the law says about furnishings also? It would save a lot of grief and avoid disputes over damage and deposits at the end of a tenancy.

I completely agree with you. The only reason why im forced to get furniture is because its the norm here for what tenants expect. If you go outside the norm, your advertising to a much smaller audience. The only way i can really see this coming into the mainstream is if legislation forces ll to change or if certain REITs create a monopoly or duopoly of the market and force the change on everyone else.

mrslancaster wrote: »

If a Part4 tenancy in a RPZ was finished, tenants moved out and LL removed everything except what they are legally obliged to provide, then advertised at the legally allowed rent, would there be no takers?

I think there would be a lot of potential tenants for an unfurnished property but that's just my opinion.

So many LL's talk about the costs of staying in the rental market and the headaches that go with it.

Unfurnished would reduce turnaround times for LL between tenancies. They would not have the huge costs of re-fitting out an entire house or apartment for a new letting and the time that takes, there would be less paperwork and accounting fees - I'm sure there are other benefits.

Maybe it would just take one or two LL's to start letting unfurnished and it would gradually change.

Of course there could be other legal reasons for sticking with fully furnished that I don't know about

Furniture or no furniture in a rental will make little difference to someone thinking of renting out. The fact that the system is completely biased to the tenants is what is stopping people from entering the market and the proposed legislation won't change that.

Serenesabines wrote: »

I’ve been living in the house for about 8 years. There is one small two seater couch that’s not aged well. I’m actually getting pain in my neck and back from it. I have bought so many pillows and supports to make it work, but it hasn’t helped me much.
It doesn’t have removable pillows, so repairing or upgrading isn’t possible. Is it very cheeky to ask my landlord to replace it?

You can ask but god only knows what POS hand me down he will come up with. If you can afford it buy your own, even a good condition used one and at least you’ll know what you are getting and can take it with you if you move on.

Obviously clear it with him first and ask him to take away the old one if he is agreeable.