Blink Property
As a tenant, you want your rental to feel like home and the best way to achieve that is to personalise the space.Landlords who wish to attract and keep quality tenants may be flexible on any changes or tweaks that you propose. It makes sense that you are likely to take good care of their asset if you are emotionally invested.
But before you get cracking, you need to know what you can and can’t do.
It’s best to understand permissions and limitations, plus obligations, before you sign onto a lease.
Generally speaking, you have no right to renovate a property in a way that alters it permanently. Only the landlord can make those changes. If you would like a certain renovation, you can approach your landlord through your property manager and suggest it.
Your lease will also have details about gardens or other spaces in the rental property that you are obliged to maintain while you live there. You may want to plant a vegetable garden, only to find the existing landscape can not only not be changed but must also be maintained.
Rules can change between states and if you want to be sure, consult your relevant state government website.
If you are in strata, rules can also change between buildings, so it’s best to talk to your property manager to find out about any special by-laws or restrictions that may apply.
It’s not all bad news, there are many changes you can make that are temporary and can be easily reverted if and when you vacate the property. Here are a few interior options.
Removable wallpaper and decals are great temporary changes. You can create feature walls or cover an entire room without a long-term commitment. They are affordable, non-toxic, easy to apply and remove, and won’t ruin the underlying surface and there are many online suppliers out there with all sorts of designs available.
Framed photos are a great way to give your home a personal feel and temporary removable hooks are a fantastic alternative to nails. Just make sure that they hold the correct weight to avoid damage from fallen frames.
Artwork can transform a room and an affordable option is vintage advertising posters or prints that you can frame yourself and take with you when you move.
Large leaning mirrors are elegant and make a room look bigger, lighter and brighter. Go for a tall mirror where possible and place it opposite a window to amplify the natural light, or between two windows to give the illusion of a third. Leaning ladders are also popular and can be used in bathrooms to hang towels or in living rooms for magazines.
Old kitchen tiles or shabby carpets can seriously date a home but they don’t have to be something you put up with. Investing in a large rug or entrance hall runner can make all the difference, and placing furniture overlapping the edges gives the illusion of more space.
Another option is temporary stick-on flooring which is available in many different designs and finishes. Like wallpaper, it can be removed when you move without causing damage and won’t cost you a fortune. Carpet tiles are another inexpensive option that can be attached with double-sided tape, while temporary decking is an option for those wanting to transform an outdoor area.
Old curtains can be removed and replaced with low-cost fabric ones using the existing rods. You can also source spring-loaded curtain rods from your local hardware store to hang in front of old blinds that you can take with you when you leave.
Replacing light bulbs with a warmer colour can drastically change the ambience of a room, as can adding new light fixtures or floor and table lamps.
An easy and quick way to refresh your kitchen or bathroom is to change out mismatched or rusty cabinet knobs. Just ensure you keep them in order to switch them back.
Another bathroom refresher is to switch out your showerhead for one you like and add indoor plants, candles and new towels.
