Almost two thirds (63%) of people renting a home in the UK claim they have splashed out on improving where they live, despite the fact that they don’t own it, according to new research carried out for Ocean Finance.
Ocean’s research shows that, of tenants that have spent money on improving their home, the average spend is £641.06. Almost one in five (19%) say that they spent between £751 and £2,000 on home improvements, and a further 11% admit to spending over £2,000 doing up the home they rent.
Amongst those that have done home improvements, over half of tenants say that they painted and decorated (58%). Other popular jobs include putting in new carpet or flooring (16%) and installing new curtains and blinds (10%). 5% of people say they’ve invested in improving the garden of the place they rent.
Other tenants say they’ve paid for jobs including updating the bathroom or kitchen, insulating or double glazing and improving home security.
Older tenants are more likely to spend money on the home they rent: three quarters (76%) of tenants over 45 say they’ve done so, and 80% of tenants over 55.
Ian Williams, spokesman for Ocean, said: “One of the benefits of renting is supposed to be that landlords are responsible for the upkeep of the property. Despite this, the majority of tenants are shelling out – in many cases quite large amounts – on improving the home that they rent. It is clear that too many landlords aren’t providing properties that tenants feel are acceptable and that landlords are likely to be benefiting from the improvements their tenants are doing.”
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Comments
Landlord has no legal duty to improve a property, only to maintain it.
Therefore if tenants want improvements (and landlord agrees) it is only reasonable that tenant pays.
Mr Williams does not seem able to distinguish between maintenance and improvement
My tenants moved out at the weekend after just under 2 years with me. The house was newly renovated when they took it but what they handed back was disgraceful.
When very minor jobs needed doing like tightening a screw in a loose drawer, they ignored it causing it to get progressively worse. The laminate flooring was ruined due to them walking in the house with wet footwear plus scuffs and chips. They'd dropped something heavy on both kitchen and bathroom floor tiles causing large chips and cracks. Bathroom lock was broken, smoke alarms missing and the paint job they attempted to cover up marks was.........well let's say not worth it.
They didn't pay the rent for the last 14 days and had the cheek to text me for their deposit back saying the damage was wear and tear.
It's. costing me £1250 just to put the house right.
You can really tell its close to election time.
Please can those who issue sweeping statements qualify, and expand on which sector (social, housing assoc, student, private) they re ve surveyed?
Were tenants repairs/improvements agreed by the landlord and what/why were they done?
Did the landlord give any benefits in lieu ie rent reduction?
Did they ask the landlord or managing agent to respond ?
Here's our dilema!!!
In the past I've put in new washing machines for example
I don't like spending this sort of money on these white goods as tenants don't always look after them..
however if I don't and the tenant drags in an old leaking off the road side one.. am I insured if ? 1. it catches fire or 2. leaks and destroys the kitchen or 3 kills them
Tenants don't have liabiltiy insurance (usually no insurance) and limited funds.. They are a huge risk and we've aware of this.. It really is a bloody nightmare and I could potentially loose everything including my freedom.
Take a look at the recent fines.. I'm sure its not black and white that landlords are complete bastards.. Theres usually history with the tenant too, BUT THE LANDLORD HAS MONEY / ASSETS
I work in an office and we are not allowed to plug any electrical item into their power unless its been checked by the inhouse electricitian.
How many housing associations provide carpets, curtains, washing mahines etc. If a Landlord does provide why should he change due to someones personal taste. If they do not like decor etc don't take property or lift carpets and take down curtains...store in a dry place put your own up and put back at end of Tenancy.
Ocean should take a look at the Lord Dennings case when stated tenants are responsible for routine maintenance and house keeping as if they were owners.
We've had tenants who have paid for replacement cookers, carpets. For the cooker we demanded they had it checked by our gas inspector, the carpets.. well they destroyed the one given to them.
We pay for things like replacement taps but I will only put in contractor taps.. not flimsy designer rubbish that breaks easily or costs a fortune for the thermostatic valve.
I have a tenant friend who replaced kitchens, built a photostudio.. his landlord is fine by this but fails to check the quality of the work.. This friend cuts corners so is potentially putting the landlord at risk from imprisonment if a fatality/injury was to occur.. sometimes its better to bite the bullet and spend a little more to please a tenant that pays the rent on time. Suggestion.. for say a building.. increase the rent for a few months to cover the internals rather than allow the tenant to own building and potentially knock it down should you fall out with them..
Completely agree with the other comments here.
I too had tenants request 'improvements' such as new carpets or re-painting simply because they did not like the colour of the existing. Then there was the one who wanted a replacement fridge even though the existing was brand new because 'the freezer section is too small' and they one who felt that all light bulbs should be replaced with energy-saving ones immediately. At my expenses of course.
Over the years I have adopted a policy of advising all prospective tenants that the property is rented as seen. All my rentals are kept in very good condition, repairs are carried out promptly and refurbishment is frequent. Tenants are required to seek permission for all changes to the property. Failing that, they will be liable for cost of restoration to original state upon vacation.
As far as I'm concerned,this is perfectly reasonable and results in a good quality home for the tenant as well as preserving asset value for myself.
And anyone who doesn't like that has the option of renting somewhere else.
Well thats the last us landlords will have anything to do with Ocean finance. Why on earth would they want to cause waves with their clients, or don't they do BTL? Talk about dim.
Many tenants call and ask if they can change everything from a wall colour to a carpet at their expense and this has NOTHING TO DO with landlords being what Ian Williams suggests, or the rentable condition of a property. I think you need to get of your landlord bashing soap box Williams and remove your foot from your mouth and think before you share your presumptions re us landlords again. Bye the way, are you Ocean finances sales prevention officer?
Just a thought!
These stories are always so one-sided and extreme and the landlord is always portrayed as a slumlord.
I've been asked to change carpets for a whole flat, a sink because the tenant didn't like the fact it had two taps instead of a mixer, swap out £1000 curtains etc. I am happy to make reasonable improvements, but these were too far.
When you own your own home you understand that small cosmetic details are not as higher priority as structural and service related repairs. As a good landlord you need to strike that balance, so that you have money for new boilers, roof repairs, windows etc.
If you agreed to change the carpet every time you get a new tenant you start to undermine that balance.
That does not make you a slumlord.
Ok, don't agree with Ian Williams's comments. For a start improvements do not always equal upkeep. I have had tenants asked me to change perfectly good, expensive curtains because they didn't like them. Fine - I am ok for them to replace them providing they store mine and put them back before they leave. Also I allow longer term tenants to repaint a perfectly well painted room their favourite colour providing it's not black or luminous green, for example. I won't expect them to restore it to the original (neutral) colour but equally won't pay for it myself. Equally, maintaining a low-maintenance garden is part of the tenancy agreement. If the tenant is a keen gardener wants to buy flowers, grow veg or collect gnomes, are you seriously suggesting the landlord should pay for it? I think not.