Updating post from Reddit.
Full disclosure - am a tenant but looking for actual, correct advice, rather than the less helpful/accurate advice in tenant forums. Just want fairness for me and the landlord.
I have been a tenant in my current property for nearly 3 years and the renewal date is coming up. I will be staying put - neither me nor my landlord have any issue with this. Rents always paid, property maintained to standard it was when I moved in (previous tenant was a different story!), etc.
There has been no investment in the property, refresh or anything else since I’ve been here and there was none in between last tenant leaving who were being “helped” out the door as I was waiting to unload and they were here 2-3yrs - there are still scratches in the wallpaper, damage to paintwork that was supposed to be fixed but hasn’t been from them and their pets. In all honesty, I haven’t chased as just want to plod along with minimal disruption.
But, rent is going up another £100, so will be paying over £1500 per month (rise of £200 in time I’ve been here) and it’s sticking with me a bit that my costs are going up, and absolutely no maintenance is being done, and the damage/stains that I’ve never been able to get rid of are aging and looking more unsightly by the year. Is there a good/effective way to request this as part of the renewal? Or do you think I shoot myself in the foot?
Secondly (and more importantly at this stage) given the increase, I would like to change my payment due date. I currently get paid 4 days after the due date; I’d like to move the due date to 1st each month so it’s after payday, and makes life easier for me. What’s the best way of doing that please? And are there any grounds on which the landlord could reasonably refuse?
Thanks
Hiya. Landlord here. Just ask your landlord for a small list of things you’d like fixing
A bit of painting, wallpapering and a new carpet are not out of order if they are looking shabby. If the landlord pushes back you can say you are asking as the rent is now gone up a lot from when you’ve moved in and the place is looking shabby and you’ve been a good tenant and would like to continue doing so
I do hope you took pictures of all the issues in moving in
Thank you.
I took many photos! Not far off 200 - previous tenants even left their towels and razors in the bathroom!
You can ask whatever you like. I suspect the rate of rent is just in line with the market though. Normally the place would not be refreshed during a tenancy.
On the change in rent date: Yes this is possible, but normally it would just be by agreement that you can pay a few days late, not a change in the actual "official" rent date because that has a LOT of implications (as that date is tied into a lot of legal and contractual obligations). I would ask, they would likely agree, but you will be conveying a very strong message that you are living without savings to cover even an extremely short rent shortfall - and that might have some implications for you.
It’s actually just above market rate. For places that are brand new, going rate is about 1450, for those that aren’t quite as good. It varies - place across the road which was awful went for £950, others are going for £1300. I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be refreshed if I didn’t have the same wallpaper the guy who sold it 7 years ago had or had it been spotless when I moved in. It’s the aging stains that are really getting to me. They look awful. And whilst I could offer to cover the magnolia at my cost I resent doing so when I already pay so much. The electrical certificate expires next year and I know there is work that will need doing (flickering lightbulbs where connections are not stable - I paid for electricians to check.) It’s becoming expensive in comparison to others in the area. The changeover was a mess. Previous tenant was supposed to be out a week before. They weren’t - and landlords did not check. I have to hire significant help as I’m disabled so putting stuff into storage, finding somewhere suitable to stay etc wasn’t really an option after everything had been signed and agreed in terms of move in date. Like I said. I am trying to be fair to both of us. I’ve accepted higher than needed water bills (they don’t want a meter), utilities are pushing for smart meters, again, I’m pushing back as they don’t want them. But at the minute, it’s me taking all the hits.
If I insist on going to a rolling tenancy, they’d have to serve notice of increase, etc, I think? And then I could drag it out. But. I’m not doing that. I don’t want to do that. All I want is a lick of paint and peeling wallpaper that’s been there over a decade updated. If I was to be in place a decade from now, would I still not be due a refresh?
In terms of change of date. I have an ISA I can pull from in the event of an emergency, I’d just rather not do that if we can come to an agreement.
I pay for carers, cleaners, gardeners etc. and a few days, just makes my life a little easier with more of a buffer through out the month. I’d like to have a little more floating outside of my savings. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. It won’t cripple me if they don’t agree, just makes my life so much easier.
Would be good to understand the contractual/legal implications in more detail though.
Talk to your LL. For changing the rent payment date, pay the additional few days extra to move to the 1st. I can't foresee any issues with changing the date in this way.