9 Crown Row, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 0TH
Liam McDonnell
Lettings Valuer
Liam attended school locally in Ascot and began his career in estate agency aged 18 in the Bracknell area. He has gone on to gain experience within the Maidenhead, Reading and Wokingham markets too. Building relationships is what Liam enjoys the most in his role, which gives him the opportunity to meet and help all kinds of people. Away from work, Liam enjoys playing football throughout the week and for a local Bracknell team on a Sunday (some say the next Sunday League Pirlo).
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing.
Top of my bucket list is…
To travel around America and Australia.
On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
On a football pitch in all weathers – potentially a little jaded from the night before.
My guilty pleasures are…
Watching Super Sunday and the F1 whilst devouring a takeaway. Highly recommended.
The thing I like best about my job…
Helping and advising landlords on how to make the process of letting their property as stress-free as possible, and assuring tenants throughout the process so that it becomes an enjoyable and exciting experience.
The person I’d most like to go for a drink with is…
Sir Alex Ferguson.
5 Mar 2019
Many residential lets start with the Landlord having decorated the property prior to the start of the tenancy. However, during a tenancy it’s not unreasonable for a tenant to redecorate the place they live in, should they wish to escape the sea of magnolia walls! That said, there are some important things both parties should consider.
1: Make sure you have properly defined and identified what is a repair, what is maintenance and what is redecoration. If this is not detailed and the tenancy started on or after the 1st of April 2007 then the law imposes ‘default terms’ which define the landlord’s repairing responsibilities as follows:
- The structure and exterior of the property, including exterior paintwork, drains, gutters and external pipes.
- The interior of the property other than matters covered under tenant responsibilities.
- Any installations for the supply and use of water, gas, electricity, and sanitation (including baths, sinks, wash-hand basins and toilets).
- Any appliances provided by the landlord under the tenancy for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity.
- Any installations for space heating and water heating.
- Any fixtures, fittings and furniture provided by the landlord under the terms of the tenancy.
- Keeping in good repair any common areas or areas required for access.
- Keeping any area required for access adequately lit and safe to use.
2: Therefore, address these issues in the tenancy agreement and make it clear whom is responsible for what. Most tenancy agreements will set out the obligations on each party with regard to repairs, maintenance and redecoration.
3: In most cases Landlords are responsible for repair of properties let on shorter tenancies and there is a general requirement for the tenant to yield back the property in a good condition. Poorly decorated bright green rooms are unlikely to meet that standard!
4: Talk to each other and agree a reasonable approach. A Landlord might agree to a tenant redecorating as long as it is done properly and a colour is agreed before work commences. It is advisable for both parties that this is agreed in writing.
5: A tenant handing back a property should be offering it with only reasonable wear and tear evident. So if you have been allowed to occupy with pets or children and they have sullied carpets or painted walls, you are likely to have some redecorating to do – or receive a bill for the same.
6: Remember, a tenant may not undertake any alterations without the Landlord’s express consent, best received in writing.
Related articles:
- What Happens if my Tenant Damages my Property?
- What is the Tenancy Deposit Scheme?
- Who Pays the Council Tax on a Rental Property?
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