UK Landlord Forum / Life

Guys - new person here so forgive stupid questions.

What's the normal interval you would:

1. replace carpet.
2. repaint whole interior
3. repaint whole exterior

Thanks for any guidance. I know it's situation specific but looking for a little advice on what you think is reasonable.

Thanks

Obviously it varies greatly,but broadly,interior paint 3-4 years,carpet up to 10 years,some rooms more often,exterior as needed,when it starts looking manky.Nice to hear from a hedgehog member,just out of hibernation?

I'd say this is gonna be pretty situation specific.

Dunno about anyone else... there's so many variables at play, including the Tenants, of course, and the items, of course. Very specific to the specific situation, I'd say. As for repainting the whole exterior - are we talking about a house here? If it's an apartment in a block of flats I'd put forward a view of - never. Dunno. Might be contentious.

Quote from: heavykarma on March 03, 2020, 09:53:51 AM
Obviously it varies greatly,but broadly,interior paint 3-4 years,carpet up to 10 years,some rooms more often,exterior as needed,when it starts looking manky.Nice to hear from a hedgehog member,just out of hibernation?
[/quote

Thanks for the reply. Current carpet is on 5 years. Previous tenants look like they never hoovered and my agent wants me to get new carpets. I'm overseas (not living in a hangar by Luton Airport anymore) so can't see them but I'm thinking a good professional clean should be fine. Thanks for confirming my own 10 year intervals for carpets. For paint I'd mainly been at 5-6 years until this tenant drew on all the walls.

Quote from: Hippogriff on March 03, 2020, 09:56:14 AM
I'd say this is gonna be pretty situation specific.

Dunno about anyone else... there's so many variables at play, including the Tenants, of course, and the items, of course. Very specific to the specific situation, I'd say. As for repainting the whole exterior - are we talking about a house here? If it's an apartment in a block of flats I'd put forward a view of - never. Dunno. Might be contentious.

Sorry the exterior I was referring to is exterior woodwork. It's a brick house so window frames, doors etc.

Quote from: Spiny Norman on March 03, 2020, 03:43:25 PM
Thanks for the reply. Current carpet is on 5 years. Previous tenants look like they never hoovered and my agent wants me to get new carpets. I'm overseas (not living in a hangar by Luton Airport anymore) so can't see them but I'm thinking a good professional clean should be fine. Thanks for confirming my own 10 year intervals for carpets.

Therein lies the problem: you should replace things when they look like they need replacing. Just because a carpet ought to last more than ten years that doesn't mean you can leave it another five years if it's knackered now. It'll be harder to find new tenants, they'll pay less rent and/or they won't look after the place because they think you don't look after the place.

Having said that, agents do tend to be more keen on spending your money than you are. At best they get a bit off the carpet fitter and a share of a higher rent and at worst it's no skin off their nose either way. Ideally you could do with someone you can trust taking a look and maybe having a tickle round with a Hoover. If any of the carpets are beyond salvation, particularly downstairs, you might want to pay a bit extra and go for laminate flooring - it tends to be more tenant-proof.

Quote from: Simon Pambin on March 03, 2020, 05:14:22 PM

Quote from: Spiny Norman on March 03, 2020, 03:43:25 PM
Thanks for the reply. Current carpet is on 5 years. Previous tenants look like they never hoovered and my agent wants me to get new carpets. I'm overseas (not living in a hangar by Luton Airport anymore) so can't see them but I'm thinking a good professional clean should be fine. Thanks for confirming my own 10 year intervals for carpets.

Therein lies the problem: you should replace things when they look like they need replacing. Just because a carpet ought to last more than ten years that doesn't mean you can leave it another five years if it's knackered now. It'll be harder to find new tenants, they'll pay less rent and/or they won't look after the place because they think you don't look after the place.

Having said that, agents do tend to be more keen on spending your money than you are. At best they get a bit off the carpet fitter and a share of a higher rent and at worst it's no skin off their nose either way. Ideally you could do with someone you can trust taking a look and maybe having a tickle round with a Hoover. If any of the carpets are beyond salvation, particularly downstairs, you might want to pay a bit extra and go for laminate flooring - it tends to be more tenant-proof.

Thanks for the reply, I had sent my brother around and regarding carpets he said they are good quality carpets, just need a professional clean. My agent had been around and said the carpets needed replacing. Turns out I'd paid 300 quid for cleaning that didn't include carpet cleaning and when i told them they were only 4 years old, they brought in a carpet cleaner. Now the carpets are fine and probably have another 5 years in them.

It's very lucky to have a Carpet Expert in the family, though... most of us don't.

Quote from: Hippogriff on March 09, 2020, 10:33:01 AM
It's very lucky to have a Carpet Expert in the family, though... most of us don't.

He also took photo's to show me what a mess the place was (I'm overseas) and help me judge what needed doing. Turns out he was right and the carpets are now spic and span. Lucky to have a professional photographer in the family. Yes really