For most of the time the landlord-tenant relationship runs smoothly, and in the normal run of things you shouldn’t need to communicate too much. But once you’ve settled into your new home you might be tempted to make some changes to make it feel more like your home, especially if you’re planning on staying long-term.
There’s nothing wrong with this – but you do need to check your tenancy agreement carefully before you do anything. Most changes you can make will be covered in your agreement, and this gives you a good idea of what you are allowed to do by yourself, and what you might need to be more careful about. But even so, there are a few things you should consider letting your landlord know about, or even ask permission if needed.
Pets
This is possibly the biggest one on the list, and the one you could get in the most trouble for if you don’t ask. Some landlords don’t mind pets, some will allow a certain number, and others refuse to allow them altogether. Their decision can depend on a lot of things, including the type of pet. For example, some landlords will be happy to take a tenant with an adult cat, but don’t want kittens. Others will say no to cats, but be happy with caged pets like birds, hamsters or fish. Others might not want dogs in the property, particularly if it is a flat, as they are worried it might disturb the neighbours. You may be more successful with your request for a pet if you rent a whole house as a family and can show that you’ll be responsible owners, or have rented in the past and have a landlord who can provide a ‘pet-reference’ for them. At the end of the day, it is their property and their decision, so you should always ask before getting a pet. And bear in mind that any damage caused by your pet will need to be rectified at your own cost.
Switching Energy Supplier
This might be more or less of an issue depending on how the bills are paid for your property. In some cases the landlord pays directly, while in others you are entirely responsible for sourcing and paying your own bills. If you’re looking at new suppliers, check your tenancy agreement. If you are in charge of paying bills directly, you shouldn’t need to get permission to make the switch. If your landlord is paying, then you will need to have a discussion with them about why you want to switch and who to. The landlord will likely not have a problem with the switch, but it is common practice to let them know that you are switching, to whom and when it will happen.
Painting, Decorating And Gardening
In all likelihood basic garden maintenance will be required of you if you have a garden – but this section isn’t about that. It’s about making bigger, more substantial and permanent changes to the property. Just because you don’t like the colour scheme in one room doesn’t mean you can run straight to B&Q to buy paint and redo it. While some landlords will be happy with you redecorating or landscaping the garden, most will want a say in how it’s done. Which is only fair given that it’s their property! So if you want to make a big change, even just repainting one room, make sure you check with your landlord first. They might have stipulations about it being returned to its original décor when you move out, or to have a specific professional take on the work.
DIY Repairs
Doing your own minor repairs around the house might not seem like much of an issue, but it is something you should talk to your landlord about first. Accidents and damage can happen at any time and things in the property might fall into disrepair. It is important to discuss repairs with your landlord as not all will be your responsibility. The building itself is usually the landlord’s responsibility and they will arrange wear and tear repairs to the fixtures and fittings. So before you break out the tool belt, check if you are actually responsible for doing the work!
And remember – if you’re ever in doubt, ask. Even if you’ve checked the tenancy agreement and it all seems OK, it’s common courtesy to check with the landlord before making changes to their property. More often than not the landlord will be fine with the change and very happy you took the time to ask, making the whole relationship go a lot smoother. If you’re not sure where you stand, we’re always happy to help. Just get in touch with the team at Northwood today and book your free consultation.
