When renting a house, should the landlord make deductions on labor?

dspellings70: When renting a house, should the landlord make deductions on labor?
We are renting a house and the landlord is expecting us to tear out carpet and install tiling in the whole bottom level of a large 2 story house.

Answers and Views:

Answer by lauren s
yes, get your deductions in writing so no problem later….

Answer by Mama Bear
everytime I’ve had situations like that, the landlord did take alot off either the deposit, or several months rent. You are saving him the hassle of hiring some one to do, and paying them, when it is in fact his job…so yes he does need to give you a break some where, other wise don’t do it.

Answer by Jim B
The landlord should pay for the materials and may give you a break on the rent. However, unless you are a business and can provide an invoice, the value of your labor is not tax deductible so it will not benefit the landlord. Therefore, they will not be very receptive to making a financial accomodation for your labor. What would happen if you told the landlord that you were not going to do the work without a reduction in the rent? Is the place so popular that they could find some other renter to do it for “free”? If so then you will have to consider whether or not it is worth it.

Answer by J*Mo
Um – did you agree on this before moving in? Or is he expecting u to do this before you move out?
Need more info…

Answer by Randy W
I guess the answer is what kind of agreement did you make with the landlord?
Usually a landlord will make a deal on the deposit, or take a specified amount off the rent depending on the agreement between the two parties.
The best thing to do is to talk to the landlord, of coarse you are not going to get a contractors wages to do this work, but I am sure that he will be fair in exchanging material and labor for Rent. Most likely it will be something like he will pay for the material, and then take your labor off the rent for so many months, he generally wont give you free rent until your labors paid for unless hes a really nice guy.
Remember you are negotiating a price on labor so don’t get to carried away, he can always do it himself or have someone else do it.
Good Luck.

Answer by elliebear
He should pay for it,
unless your family did it.

Answer by AJ
Claim ignorance and say you call for estimates for the work and give them the bids to choose from and pay.