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Landlords Letting Tenants Renovate Rental Property

Letting Tenants Renovate
Tenants may want to renovate while renting property.

Over time, any type of property – rental or non rental – will need updating. Building materials will either deteriorate or become outdated. For example, paint peels or fades, carpets stain and wear away, and bathrooms and kitchens become outdated. If the unit is occupied and the tenant wants to make improvements, landlords letting tenants renovate rental property is not a bad idea.

If you’re happy with your tenant, most landlords will not want to displace their tenant in order to renovate. So when a tenant wants to do the renovation, it’s a good idea for landlords to hear them out. For landlords letting tenants renovate rental property, here are a few things to consider:

  1. Agree to the renovations: As the owner of the rental property, you should be in agreement to the requested changes. Should the tenant vacate in the future, you are left with the renovations. Ideally, you will want renovations that increase the value and attractiveness of your rental property.
  2. Decide who will pay for the renovations: There are a few possibilities when it comes to who will pay for the renovations. The tenant can pay for it entirely, the landlord can pay for it entirely, or both can split the cost. Usually, if the improvement will add value, most landlords may cover the cost since they ultimately own the rental property. If the landlord covers the bill, he/she can track renovation-related expenses in their landlord income expense tracking software such as RentalIncomeExpense.com.
  3. Put everything in writing: Landlords letting tenants renovate rental property is a driver for a lease addendum. It is important to address items such as what improvements will be made and who will pay for them clearly and in writing.