landlord expecting us to by a dehumidifier for his flat...reasonable?

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snow patrol

snow patrol

Soldato
Joined
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hi all, so we've been living here for a year, flat doesn't really suffer from any mould or damp problems but the landlord is basically saying one of the stipulations of getting a new lease would be for us to get a dehumidifier for his flat, out of our own pocket. He's saying they're about 150 quid and sugarcoating by saying we'll be able to take it with us when we go (we're 3 guys living together, i'd say chances are we'll stick around here for a bit but then probably go separate ways so that doesn't help much). Personally it struck me as something he should buy if he feels it's necessary. We try clothes on a rack in the house but leave windows a jar even in winter.

so what do we think...reasonable or tight? What stance ought we take..thanks
 
£150 seems a lot for a dehumidifier.

Regardless if there's no indications of damp then I don't think he has any right to ask you to buy one out of your own pocket.
 
If he was smart he would put the rent up £10 and supply it. He would then own it and you would have paid for it and considered it simply a very tiny bump in the rent.
 
Flats you have to keep ventilated, they always build up damp :(

I let out a flat that I lived in for several years but couldn't sell without taking a huge hit. If my tenant requested a dehumidifier I would buy one after initially recommending they kept window cracked, but they would have to pay to run it.
 
Hades said:
If he was smart he would put the rent up £10 and supply it. He would then own it and you would have paid for it and considered it simply a very tiny bump in the rent.
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Wouldn't he have to pay the running costs as well?
 
deuse said:
Wouldn't he have to pay the running costs as well?
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Of course not, the LL doesn't pay the running costs for the cooker, or the washing machine he supplies.
If the OP doesn't run it, then it is their call, but he had supplied one, and they didn't run it, and then damp turned up, he would nail them on deposit.
If he doesn't supply one, then I can't see how he can enforce anything.
Unless the flat turns out to be full of damp.

- If LL is truly worried, he can install some airbricks instead.
 
Tell him if you see any moisture build up you'll ventilate more or buy some aero 360's. It is the tenants responsibility to keep the place ventilated and in good condition.

If he's that worried let him fit a MEV or MVHR system.
 
If it is nesessary to have a dehumidifier in the property due to lack of ventilation then he should provide one or both items. I don't see an argument if you are simply drying your own clothes in the property.
At the very least I would argue that he should provide the dehumidifier if you have to pay the cost of running it - and then he can keep it when you leave.. and the cost of repair/upkeep.
 
Hades said:
If he was smart he would put the rent up £10 and supply it. He would then own it and you would have paid for it and considered it simply a very tiny bump in the rent.
Click to expand...

My old landlord made a mess up which ended up costing me so I was surprised when they reimbursed me promptly, no quibble... come renewal time it was factored into the increase - comparing with our neighbour it was the exact amount on top of their renewal.
 
Buy one and deduct it from next month's rent.

If he'd like one for the flat then he should pay for it.
 
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