2 How To Get Landlord To Pay For The Apartment Renovation

How to Get Your Landlord to Pay for Apartment Renovations - Most areas have special laws for rental apartments and houses designed to protect both the tenant and the landlord. Most landlords need to carry out renovations to keep the home to a reasonable standard, providing heat, water and safe living conditions. However, landlords have the right to refuse cosmetic changes to the apartment. Still, there are ways to negotiate with your landlord so you can agree on both renovations on reasonable terms.

• Get your landlord to pay for necessary renovations

Read your rental agreement. Make sure you understand all the responsibilities of your landlord and those of the renter (you). In particular, read all sections on repairs, maintenance or damage carefully. If your home needs repairs to bring it up to a liveable condition, the law requires that it is your landlord's responsibility to arrange for those repairs to be made. Typically, leases require landlords to ensure the properties remain habitable, which means things like:

Meet building codes

Keep the building clean and free from damage

Protection of the building from intruders (e.g. all windows and doors work properly)

Ensuring weather protection (no leaks, drafts, etc.)

Make a list of all unacceptable living conditions. Under typical housing laws, landlords are required to ensure that the condition of their rental properties meets basic standards. For example, if you have leaks, mold, broken windows, or other poor conditions in your home, your landlord should take care of the repairs in a reasonable time and at no cost to you.

Keep in mind that most landlords are willing to pay for necessary repairs if you tell them they need to be done. Rental properties are investments for landlords and they want to ensure the properties remain in good condition and continue to generate returns.

In general, there are specific renovation laws that are required to remove hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos. Your landlord should disclose if any of these materials are present, and you can ask for renovations to remove them.

Take photos of areas that need repairs. Before asking about necessary renovations, take photos of any damaged or degraded areas of your home. Make at least two sets of these pictures and send one set to your landlord if necessary. This serves as proof of necessary renovations should you require them.

Submit the repair request in writing. Enter, save, and print a list of necessary renovations so that the request is logged. If you need to mail the application to your landlord, use registered mail so you can verify receipt.

Make sure you include copies of the photos you took when giving your landlord a copy of your request.

Also document all further discussions with your landlord.

If necessary, take further action. When asking your landlord to take care of necessary renovations, remain polite and professional. Most likely, your landlord will respond in kind. However, if your landlord doesn't respond to your request, refuses to make necessary repairs, or unreasonably delays, you can take further action. Depending on the area you live in, you may be able to:

File a complaint with a local official, e.g. a housing, fire, energy or health inspector.

Ask a court to hold your rent in trust and order the landlord to make the repairs.

Sue the landlord under applicable law.

Contact an attorney for legal advice if you think you need to take legal action against your landlord.

Even if your landlord defaults on the necessary repairs, you should still pay your rent on time and comply with the housing regulations, because if you don't, you could be in breach of your lease.

• Convince your landlord to pay for cosmetic renovations

Be an exceptional tenant. You can build a good relationship with your landlord by paying your rent on time, obeying all housing rules, and keeping your home in good condition. These good connections can help you convince your landlord to agree to a renovation. Remind your landlord that you were a good tenant when asking about renovation questions.

Read your rental agreement. Make sure you understand what types of renovations are allowed on your lease. In most cases, landlords are not required by the lease to make cosmetic (non-essential) renovations. If you want this, you have to negotiate. Cosmetic renovations include things like:

Painting walls just to change color (and not because of damage or age)

Replacing working light fixtures with new ones

Removing or adding walls to change the apartment layout

Replacement of undamaged worktops for stylistic reasons

If possible, include renovation requests in your rental agreement. If you know before moving in or signing a new lease that you want renovations, try to get your landlord to do it before you sign the lease. Have the renovation wishes written in the rental agreement or as an addendum.

Make sure the lease contains all the information, including when the renovations will be completed and how they will be paid for ("XYZ renovations will be completed at landlord's expense by [insert date]..." ).

Decide what you want to do. Many landlords could be persuaded to renovate sensibly. Maybe you can't expect them to agree to a total kitchen makeover, but you could get them to agree to new cabinets or a fresh coat of paint.

Try to convince your landlord that modernizing the apartment would make the apartment attractive not only to you but also to future tenants. For example, a landlord might not want to replace carpeting with hardwood because a prospective tenant might not like it. However, you might be more successful by asking for a new or better stove, as it's a standard feature that could benefit from an upgrade.

Keep in mind that landlords may simply not approve of certain renovations.

Offer to research renovations. You can offer to find a suitable contractor for the renovation and get a quote from the contractor for the renovation. Your landlord may appreciate not having to take the time to do this research and may be more willing to agree to the renovations.

Find out about tax credits, capital gains and other incentives. In some cases, landlords can get a tax benefit by renovating their property. Likewise, renovations could help increase the value of their properties. Remind your landlord about these incentives, as they could help persuade your landlord to agree to the renovations.

Consider doing and/or paying for the renovations yourself. If you are able to do some renovation work yourself, offer to do so. Your landlord might be persuaded if you offer to pay for the materials and provide the labor.

However, even if you plan to pay for the renovations yourself, you should always consult your landlord before making any major renovations, including painting walls, replacing appliances, etc. If you don't have permission from your landlord to make these changes, you can do violate your lease.

Offer to conclude a long-term lease. Asking your landlord to pay for renovations may take some negotiation. You can give them something in return if you offer to sign a longer lease. By committing to staying longer in the home, you're letting your landlord know it's worth renovating.

Make sure you and your landlord understand how the renovations will be paid for. Whether you do the renovations yourself or hire a contractor, you and your landlord must agree on how the work will be paid for.

If you renovate yourself, you should know whether the landlord will reimburse you for the material costs or not. If they pay for it, state when and how.

If a contractor is hired to do the renovations, you should know if the landlord is paying the contractor directly, or if you are paying and then being reimbursed by your landlord. It is easiest for you if your landlord can pay the contractor directly.

Accept a possible rent increase. In some cases, a landlord will agree to cosmetic renovations, but only if the apartment's rent increases. This ensures that the apartment continues to be profitable. If you are happy with your apartment and really want to renovate in a targeted manner, you may have to accept a reasonable rent increase.

In many cases, you can negotiate rent increases with your landlord.

Get the final agreement in writing. Be sure to have a written version of the final renovation agreement. This written agreement should include information such as:

Exactly what renovations are being completed

When will the renovation work begin and when is it expected to end?

Who pays for the renovation and how?