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Buy to Let

Two-thirds of tenants have paid for home improvements

Adam Williams
Written By:
Adam Williams
Posted:
Updated:
18/02/2015

Almost two-in-three tenants have spent money on improving the home they live in, despite it being owned by someone else.

Research from Ocean found 63% of renters said they had spent cash on the property in some way.

Of these people more than a third said they had spent £750 or more on home improvements.

The research showed that a tenant’s average spend is £641.06, with 11% admitting to spending over £2,000 doing up the home that they rent.

More than half (58%) of tenants admitted they had shelled out for painting and decorating their rented accommodation.

One-in-seven said they had installed new carpet or flooring while a further 10% said they had purchased new blinds and curtains.

The survey found some tenants admitting to updating the bathroom, kitchen, double glazing or paying for additional home security.

Older tenants were said to be more likely to spend money on a rented home with three-quarters (76%) of over 45s and 80% of tenants aged over 55 having done so.

Ocean’s Ian Williams said landlords were failing to provide suitable upgrades and tenants were often forced to pay.

“One of the benefits of renting is supposed to be that landlords are responsible for the upkeep of the property,” he said.

“Despite this, the majority of tenants are shelling out – in many cases quite large amounts – on improving the home that they rent.

“It is clear that too many landlords aren’t providing properties that tenants feel are acceptable and that landlords are likely to be benefiting from the improvements their tenants are doing.”


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