I am a private tenant - is it my landlord's responsibility for the upkeep of the interior of the house?

Question

I have been there for 4 years and it needs repainting.

Answer 1

Maintenace of fair wear and tear items is the landlord's responsibility. Periodic repainting IS the landlord's responsibility as paint does deteriorate over time even when cared for properly. 4 years is a bit borderline and could go either way. If you haven't cleaned the walls since you moved it, that's not "fair wear and tear" so the repaint is up to you. Ditto if you're a heavy smoker. But if you've taken reasonable care of the paint and it's wearing out then it's the landlord's job to get it repainted.

Answer 2

What does your Tenancy Agreement (TA) say about this ? When you moved in, you and your landlord will have signed some kind of document - probably an Assured Shorthold TA. The usual thing is for landlords to arrange and pay for re-decoration every few years, and unless there is a specific clause in your TA saying it's your responsibility, then you should approach your landlord.

Four years is a reasonable time to ask for redecoration, especially if it was not newly decorated when you moved in. Please do not be offended, but I would never let tenants take responsibility for redecorating - I want it done properly, so I want to use tradesmen I trust.

Answer 3

This all depends, most landlords leave interior decoration up to their tenants but some are willing to pay for a coat of paint throughout. The only way you will know is to have a look at your tenancy agreement, if you dont have one of these then get one straight away as this is your contact with your landlord and you need one incase of any disputes. If your tenancy agreement says that you are responsible then you could always approach your landlord and ask if they will help with the cost.

Answer 4

Sounds like normal wear and tear to me.
I would NOT paint without the landlord's express consent.
Most landlords do not want their tennant painting or doing anything that may be semi-permanent to their property.
It is your responsibility to keep the apartment clean and report anything abnormal like water leaking, fire, an accidental hole in the wall, etc.
Most landlords are reasonable about this kind of stuff if you talk to them.
I suggest a quick phone call telling the landlord what the exact problem is. I wouldn't want a tennant painting an apartment, I would want them to call me and say "hey this place is getting dingy and the paint is cracking. You mind if I paint it?"
I'd say yes I do. I would then look at the apartment myself or have a super inspect it. If it needed painting then I would hire a contractor and bill the tennant for half if it was their own fault. If it was normal wear and tear I would just have it painted at my cost or do it myself.

Letting tennants preform semi-permanent repairs or maintenance can be risky and can lead to a lawsuit if they get injured. Inside the apartment or outside.
Best just to call your landlord and ask.

Answer 5

Write a polite letter to your landlord- staing your case and why it should be undertaken.
If they deems it unnecessary- perhaps you could offer to go halves.

I have a house which I'm renting to students- and the big problem I had was when the painted two opposing walls in accent colours like vivid reds, greens and blues. I was a bit peeved because they'd not bothered to tell me and it's going to cost to fix it- but they offered to fix it back to plain white- so-
my point is as a landlord as long as the tenant's being reasonable, polite and helpful- I see no problem.

Answer 6

It is your responsibility to maintain the interior of the building unless it falls within the category of 'reasonable wear and tear'. To be honest not much does.

When you sign your tenancy agreement you also agree that when you leave the property it will be as it was when you moved in.

For electrical appliances supplied with the property, that is down to your landlord.

Answer 7

If I were in a house for 4 years I would take responsibility for repainting UNLESS it is noted in your lease that the landlord is responsible OR you paid a "remodeling fee" when you signed the lease.

Answer 8

My parents are landlords and Im pretty sure they wouldn't want the tenants redecorating.

I think you should speak to the landlord - its not neccessarily their responsibility but if you think it needs done and they are reasonable then they should do it. But if you end up doing it yourself you should definately speak to them about it first!

Answer 9

It is your responsibility to redecorate if you are in a self contained flat . I you are in a room it would be your Landlord, why not ask them. I had a landlady once who had painted over everything in Magnolia paint when we asked if we could decorate she said yes as long as we didn't use any colours. We moved in the end and didn't bother

Answer 10

Check your lease. If unsure contact your landlord and ask.