Tenant wants to buy new carpet and blinds

Tomball, TX · Member since 2016 · 33 posts · 14 votes

Hi guys, My tenants has been living in the house for over 4 years now wants to upgrade the carpets, install new blinds and repaint a few rooms. She offered to pay for all of it as there is technically no reason to change all of this at this time. I would approve of the new carpet, blinds and colors before the work is started. I am wondering if there would be any legal reasons for me to not let her pay for this (could get me in trouble later for some reason). Has anybody been through this before and had problems later on? Thanks! Xavier

0 Reply

33 views

9 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Myrtle Mike ThompsonBusiness Member
Realtor · Myrtle Beach, SC · Member since 2016 · 352 posts · 204 votes
10y
Sounds like a great tenant. I would be on board as long as you approve of the colors, etc. You may consider having her sign a lease addendum clarifying that any improvements or updates the tenant makes to the home will remain in the home upon termination of the lease... So she can't take the new blinds with her, or try to pull up the new carpet, lol. You never know. I assume she has Renters insurance. If not, you'll want to vet any contractor she intends to use for the floors, or require that she uses someone you've worked with before.
[email protected]843-999-2301
Myrtle Mike Real Estate581 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Michele FischerPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
Xavier, two things to watch for are the quality of the installation and the quality of the painting. You may want to find out if this is DIY projects (and how much experience they have) or professionally done. If you approve all the colors and finishes, you should be in good shape. Don't allow a matte paint finish, the shiny the better for future upkeep. We've had places really wrecked by tenants painting without our permission (painted ceiling, walls, trim all mint green throughout whole house). But it should be an upgrade and will invest the tenant more in staying longer.
Podcast Guest on Show #79
0 Reply
Ed Caldwell
Investor · Chandler, AZ · Member since 2012 · 69 posts · 55 votes
10y
All cosmetic and a great renter. I would let them do it as you would have to most likely change those things in the future anyway. Might as well keep you good renters happy.
0 Reply
Kevin Longeuay
Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2016 · 49 posts · 15 votes
10y
One lease I was under several years ago with some college friends stated that any improvements have to be returned to the original condition or the tenant may be financially responsible if the landlord decides to return it to the original move-in condition. This was their way of basically saying "I can't stop you from painting my walls slime green but if you do, either return it to the original boring white color or I can charge you for it". And it gives them leeway to keep the changes if it's deemed "ok" by the landlord.
Go figure, my dumb friend painted a wall green and forgot to repaint it when we left. There went most of our deposit... lol
0 Reply
Kevin Longeuay
Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2016 · 49 posts · 15 votes
10y
And 4 years of them as a tenant and they want to make upgrades on their own, how did you find this person!?! Sounds like a solid tenant!
0 Reply
Xavier G.
OP
Tomball, TX · Member since 2016 · 33 posts · 14 votes
10y
Yes, not the perfect tenant as there has been missed payments, a good amount of late payments (a week or two) but in the end they always pay and they take care of the house so I work with them too. Thanks to all for your feedback. I need to look at my contract again. It seems there is room for improvement!
0 Reply
Account Closed
Investor · Honolulu, HI · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
Originally posted by @Xavier G.:

Yes, not the perfect tenant as there has been missed payments, a good amount of late payments (a week or two) but in the end they always pay and they take care of the house so I work with them too.
And now they have money to burn? What if they throw your stuff out and don't pay for the new stuff coming in or the contractors that install?
What if they break up a month later and try to take the new stuff with them?
Even with a contract I think this could be made into a court battle if things go sour.
Are you going to store your old carpet and blinds?
Had they been perfect tenants I would still only consider this if I was close to replacing anyway.
0 Reply
George P.
Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
Do it.
0 Reply
Xavier G.
OP
Tomball, TX · Member since 2016 · 33 posts · 14 votes
10y
Good points Bob!
The tenant has gotten a lot better at managing expenses over the past year or so and rent has been a lot more regular. The tenant has expressed multiple times the desire to change things (paint) but never actually did so I am taking this with a grain of salt and told her we would discuss again when she is ready to move forward.
Whenever that tenant moves out, I would probably have to replace the current carpet due to age and mini blinds are also old (but functional), which is why I am considering the idea.
In any case, I would be reviewing quotes, finances and contractor and figure out a way to make sure the work will be finished before I OK the change. The old carpet will be thrown away for sure and I don't think it will be worth keeping the blinds.
If the only risk left is that the tenant leaves with the carpet and the blinds, I am OK with that.
But if the fact that the tenant "upgrades" the house at her cost can lead to legal issues down the road then I am not so OK with it (situation going sour for some reason).
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.