When re-signing a lease, what is considered reasonable work?

Question

I have lived in my apartment for 3 years, & I received my lease renewal today & plan to re-sign for a 4th year.
Along with the renewal came a letter from my rental company that said to let them know if there is anything they can do to make me more comfortable living here for the next year.
Since I've lived here for a while, there are a few things that need to be done, but I don't know what should be my responsibility vs. theirs. I don't want to return the lease with a long list of things, so I'm hoping somebody can help me narrow this down to what I should expect them to take care of.
- I would like a new oven (mine is very old, & I know other apartments have brand new ovens)
- My bedroom ceiling has paint that is peeling off. It needs to be patched & repainted.
- new tile in both of my bathroom showers. (they recently remodeled my bathrooms but didn't do this)
- My carpets need to be professionally cleaned.
I don't want to seem unreasonable, so any help is appreciated!

The oven still works, but it's hard to get the door open. I literally have to yank on it, and it jerks open, which isn't fun. I told them about it last year, but they never fixed it. Plus when it's heating up it makes weird noises and screeches. Since it's a gas oven, I guess I'm just worried one day something in there will spark and catch on fire, but maybe this is normal? Growing up I always had electric ovens, so I'm not sure what's normal for a gas oven.

Answer 1

the oven is a tough one, a lot of places wont since it still works. The ceiling is a good one that is reasonable. If the tile in your bathrooms is bad the yes, they should do that. And the carpet cleaning should be done at the tenants expense. They may want to give you a fresh coat of paint all over. They also may want to make any repairs needed, But, to just ask for new things if there is nothing wrong with the ones you have may be out of line. They are looking at things which have reasonable wear and tear that they can fix for you.

Answer 2

The oven you may or may not get, but it is worth a try! As for all the rest of it, I would say it is very reasonable. You should always be offered a free carpet clean at each lease renewal. It is a cheap way to keep tenants happy!

Answer 3

a lease starts when you sign it. The terms should be very well defined and you should have been given a copy of it. Since it's a school dorm it may be subject to school policy instead of a lease. Edit: with your additional info it sounds like its school policy not an actual lease agreement. Since they messed up you should get your money back or demand they pay for the alternate arrangements you made(they won't, but demand it anyways). Be very aggressive, you may need a lawyer but they are at fault. Do not lose the letter they sent you denying your school housing. Instead of heckling the cashier or whoever is handing out the refund checks, talk to one of the administrators or someone higher up.

Answer 4

Some of the items you mention should not take a new lease. Fixing the oven and bathroom walls are in the best interest of the landlord $100.00 fixes now will save him thousands in repairs later.
My favorite strategy is to look at other avaliable apartments in the same complex. If their in better shape than yours tell them you want the nicer unit or yours brought up to that standard.

Answer 5

I think all your requests are reasonable. It's worth submitting them for consideration. Especially since you've been there several years, it will help the management to know that certain items in your apt. need replaced either now or in the near future. They can plan appropriately, or decide to do some or all of the updates now.

The carpet cleaning might come down to being your responsibility. As a landlord myself, I have carpets cleaned everytime a tenant moves. In between times,however, I would expect the tenant to take care of that.

Answer 6

I think the oven, ceiling, and carpet cleaning are reasonable. Unless they have retiled bathrooms in other untils this may be a bit much. You may also want to consider a fresh coat of paint.

Answer 7

Well, it really depends on if the oven works, or if you just don't like it because it's 'old'. Same with the tile. And the carpets would be your responsibility.

Answer 8

The oven, paint and tiles are all reasonable for you to ask for.

You yourself really should be having the carpet cleaned at least once a year yourself, though.