Tenant Improvements (English Law)

[MacTheCAT1]

Hi
We have recently moved to our new rental home and wish to make a number of improvements at our cost. All but one improvement is minor. The non minor improvement is the erection of a workshop in the garden again at our cost. This will be around 12 x 16, require a concrete base & electrical supply. When we viewed the property this was openly discussed, agreed and the tenancy commenced : nothing written down in the agreement however. (The estate agents are not proficient any way TBH).

We now wish to proceed & build the workshop, the landlord is quite happy for the improvement to be made at our cost and to current standards.

However I am concerned that the landlord will utilise the workshop improvement as an excuse to significantly increase the rent in due course (12 month tenancy agreement currently).

Where do I stand ?

thanks

MTC

[dslippy]

There is no easy promisable way of doing this. The essence of the shorthold is that no promise goes beyond the term.

[islandgirl]

Why would you put so much money into someone else's property? The LL will no doubt expect you to leave the workshop when you go and he could ask you to do so at any time with a S21.

[MacTheCAT1]

DSLIPPY: I understand your point, however doesn't the Landlord & Tenant Act 1927 come in ? Also from my research could I not get the tenancy agreement extended to 35 months and a clause in the agreement which says S21 does not apply ? The LL is a farmer and the particular property is very difficult to let due to its position.

ISLANDGIRL: We are putting money into the workshop as its a necessity. We don't have the choice, but to rent a property, which we can afford, but we cannot obtain a mortgage (so buying our own). Its as simple as that. My thinking is that if the LL issues a S21, then I simply unbolt the workshop and take it with me. I won't agree to leaving it.

[dslippy]

Landlord and Tenant law is closely regulated and complex; be very careful, playing mix and match with provisions. The LTA 1927 is dealing with business tenancies.

[atticus]

My take is that you should negotiate a written agreement with your landlord that will deal with all relevant aspects of this, including the questions you have highlighted. Don't leave it to chance.