UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have had new tennants in my one rental property for just under two months. I very quickly received a request for permission to change the cooker and dispose of the one which was there. I have now received a long letter of permission requests to do various things like lay AstroTurf, paint the decking, paint the front door, keep a dog and to fit a loo and sink in a capped off cloakroom (there was never a Suite in there, it was used as a utility room). . To be fair they're not requesting me to pay for any of this, they have even bought the loo and sink already. I am a bit concerned about how they propose to do this work though and the standard it will be done to and any liabilities to me. Also, two months in, is it perhaps a bit early to make these requests? I did live at the property for 11 years myself but trying to not be affected by that.

Any advise appreciated.

If you decide to allow changes... do them piecemeal and reserve the right to inspect to ensure you're happy with things, then be clear and get it agreed in writing as to what happens when the tenancy ends... do these things get put back, do you compensate them for their loss, do they abandon any claim to them? The idea of most normal tenancies is that the property is let as seen. However, Tenants who want to improve a property may be more inclined to stay longer, and absorb rent increases over the years... they may also be delusional and have all these grand plans which never bear fruit... or, even worse, get half done and eventually cause them to leave because "oh, it's all just too much now".

Thank you for replying, I think that's good advice. I agree that my feelings were too that it was let as seen so a long list of desired changes afterwards seemed a bit daunting. Ill let you know how it went.

It's not feelings... it absolutely was "let as seen". Now, some Landlords will ban any and all improvements or changes... too many have been burned by feckless Tenants who decide to paint a ceiling in navy blue gloss... but I prefer to just take the view that minor changes aren't necessarily a bad thing. I've had Tenants paint walls, change a staircase carpet, I've even had them have a gas main uncapped and re-install a fireplace I'd spent money removing. Start with painting a wall and inspect, then let them add a new kitchen cupboard... let them get built-up (no pun intended) to installing a conservatory. One set of Tenants (a set I still enjoy a tenancy with) once sent me a list of improvements they intended to do to a property they were settled in... it was about 9 items... that was about 4 years ago... they've done 2 of those things so far. I've contributed as well... because some things have value.

However, the point is... you are well within your rights to say "no" to any of their plans. But... remember... it's also their home (albeit rented) and it must work for them for them to be happy there. You can't cower in fear over every contact with your Tenants, but you cannot have the tail wagging the dog. The relationship should be productive, not adversarial. Good luck.

I would not allow such changes so early.I have had people insist they want to make the place their home,then something happens in their lives and they want to go before the lease ends.See how they behave as tenants for several months at least.If they say they have a father/brother in the trade don't believe them.