Have you finally found that perfect house and are ready to move in? However, are you hesitant to ask your landlord to replace your mattress? You will also find answers to a few questions in this article, including:
- What are your options for replacing the mattress?
- In the UK, what are the responsibilities of a landlord?
- As a tenant in the UK, what are your responsibilities?
- Can you ask your Airbnb host to replace the mattress?
Yes, you can ask your landlord to replace the mattress. Still, it depends on their goodwill to replace it unless explicitly mentioned on the inventory or rental agreement.
The landlord’s responsibility in the UK is to provide a liveable residence with all the necessary repairs done before the tenant moves in. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to pay for any damage you have caused and pay your rent on time.
Can you ask your landlord to replace the mattress?
There is no specific law in the UK which states that a landlord is obliged to replace a mattress whenever the tenant asks for one. But if your tenancy agreement states that the landlord will have to replace the mattress, your landlord has no option but to agree.
According to the landlord-tenant act, the goods provided by the landlord should meet the ‘fit’ category and doesn’t state that the goods should be in brand new condition. So as long as the mattress is considered fit, you might not get a replacement soon.
The Sleep Council has recommended that you change your mattress every 7-8 years, and if the mattress provided by your landlord hasn’t exceeded its period, the chances are dim.
But if the mattress is in a pathetic condition and falls under the landlord’s rental property, you should mention it right away for replacement and make sure it is mentioned in the agreement.
Overall, the best option would be to get your mattress as landlords are very flexible about removing furnishings from the rental property, which the tenants do not desire.
What are the responsibilities of a landlord in the UK?
If you are still not convinced with the above statements, here are some of the official and legal responsibilities a landlord must abide by in the UK.
- Your landlord needs to abide by every agreement mentioned in the tenancy agreement.
- Your landlord is responsible for making the necessary repairs before you move in. The repairs include the property’s exterior, such as roof, foundations, external pipes, external windows and doors, walls and drainage.
- The interior repair includes baths, sinks, toilets, along with the pipework and basins.
- The other repair work comprises water tanks, radiators, water and gas pipes, electric fires and fitted heaters, electrical wiring and gas fires.
Apart from taking liabilities of the property’s repair, the landlord must ensure that the property is safe and suitable to live in. The criteria include-
- There shouldn’t be any risk of fire hazards.
- Damp patches should be repaired to avoid leakage or breaking of the wall
- The property should have a gas safety check (CP12) through a certified source
Note that all responsibilities for repair cannot be removed, and your landlord cannot hold you responsible for paying for the repair cost. Furthermore, your landlord can only make repairs of what they are aware of.
The above pointers don’t specify or discuss the replacement of a mattress. Therefore, such requirements should be addressed with the concerned party without much expectation.
Things you need to know as a tenant
Before you start renting a property, here are few facts you need to be aware of:
- In the UK, a furnished, semi-furnished or unfurnished has no legal terminology. Due to that, the HMRC has classified that rental property which provides a sofa, bed, carpets, white goods, table and chairs are considered furnished.
- It isn’t furnished if the property only provides carpets, curtains, or white goods in the kitchen.
- Be thorough with your inventory list as it states the condition and lists of fixtures, furniture or fittings that accompany the rented property. It functions as a record for the tenant and landlord, especially when the tenant moves out.
What are your responsibilities as a tenant in the UK?
If you want to make sure you have a trouble-free stay at your rented property, you need to be aware of your responsibilities.
- Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, tenants should treat the rental property well and take care of minor maintenance.
- If the tenancy agreement states that you need to make repairs, you should
- You will bear the cost of any repair work damaged by you or your family and friends
- You will not be forced into repairing something which is the landlord’s responsibility
Can you ask your Airbnb host to replace your mattress?
An Airbnb is similar to renting out a property. But the difference is that, in an Airbnb, the rental period is shorter, mainly focused on tourism and vacations and doesn’t require any tenant agreement. Keeping these factors in mind, the host may not feel obliged to replace your mattress.
If there is some issue like the mattress is sagging or the coils have come out, an exception will happen but not on the count that the mattress is not fluffy or soft enough according to your taste.
These types of places will generally get a bad review and not get booked. Most of the time, hosts go above and beyond and get a comfortable memory foam mattress to get 5-star reviews.
Conclusion
To ensure you don’t get into a dicey situation while looking for a place, make sure you double-check all the furnishings or furniture. Also, thoroughly check your tenancy agreement to ensure nothing is missing.
Lastly, check the mattress before moving in and ask for it to be changed and get it in the agreement, so the landlord has to change it. A new mattress is more hygienic, comforting and saves you from all the drama of a bad one.