Can tenants decorate rented property? (2023)

Are you allowed to decorate a rental property?

You should never redecorate a rental property without asking your landlord's permission first. If you view a rental property prior to existing tenants moving out, you could ask the landlord if they would let you decorate before you start your own tenancy.

He says it's better to leave a papertrail, adding: 'Put your request in writing, either by email or letter, and explain why you would like the improvement.

Typically it is the landlord's responsibility to decorate after the tenancy is over. However, the rental agreement will state whether decorating, touch-ups, and other cosmetic modifications are the tenants' responsibility throughout the year.

Happier tenants lead to happier landlords. Everyone's a winner. You could even make money by allowing your tenants to decorate. Many tenants are willing to pay more rent in return for the privilege of being able to redecorate when they want.

Most tenancy agreements will not have clauses which suggest that tenants must paint the walls before they leave. But if yours does, then feel free to try and enforce it.

The language chosen in a rental contract should give the landlord the right to decide whether to allow renters to repaint or not. If you paint your apartment walls without the proper consent from the landlord, they have the right to bill you to repaint the walls back to the normal color when you move out.

It's entirely up to the landlord whether they accept or decline the request, but it can still be worth a shot. They'll be considering if the new kitchen will be worth the cost. Is the old kitchen in need of fixing?

Alteration Clauses in the Lease Agreement

The bottom line is that tenants who make improvements to the look and function of the rental property without permission are showing that they don't respect the landlord or the lease agreement, even though the change may be considered an improvement or an upgrade.

There's no fixed timescale in which you should redecorate your rental property. However, many landlords choose to redecorate around once every five years, and generally at the end of long tenancies.

Tenants are usually not obligated to paint the property. This often falls under the lessor's responsibility and their personal preference. Tenants are only expected to keep the property in a similar condition to when it was first turned over to them.

Can you hang things in a rental?

Even if a place is rented, you can still decorate it the way you want and hang up all the nice art you've been collecting. And yes, you can do it without violating the lease and losing your security deposit.

It is a tenant's responsibility to: Pay rent on time, even if you're having problems with your landlord. Pay utility bills, such as gas and electricity, telephone, broadband and so on, unless agreed otherwise with the landlord. Turn off water at the mains if you're away during a period of cold weather.

Painting any part of a private rental property without the landlord's permission would usually be classified as damage and landlords are within their rights to insist that the house be repainted before you move out or that deductions be made from your deposit.

Obviously traditional permanent wallpaper is a no-no for rental properties, but temporary wallpaper is a great alternative.

Certainly, every five years is a good time-scale for redecorating.

If the check-out report states that marks have been caused to walls in the property that are in excess of normal wear and tear, the landlord is entitled to receive some compensation for this damage.

A good quality carpet in rental property should last for about 10 years with normal wear and tear. When a carpet wears out and it has not been damaged by the tenant, the landlord is usually responsible for replacing it.

Depending on the apartment community, your lease agreement may prohibit nail holes or even place a pricey fine on wall damage. Using nails is the most common way to position wall hangings, but it isn't the only option.

What happens if I paint the walls in my apartment?

Painting Apartment Walls is a Risky Business

By doing so, you may be in breach of your rental agreement and can be forced to forfeit your security deposit. On top of losing that money, you'll also be jeopardizing your relationship with your landlord—which could make the rest of your stay a monumentally unpleasant one.

This question can only be answered by your landlord as it depends on how flexible they're willing to be with the decorating. They are not legally obliged to let you decorate the rented house and some tenancy agreements will forbid it outright.

Rules may vary by city, county and state, but landlords must provide safe, adequate flooring for their tenants. According to Connect2Local, when carpets are seriously uneven or worn out, landlords may be required to replace them. You can start by speaking to the landlord and following up with a written request.

If you are not happy with the condition of the furniture when you move in, you could consider discussing this with your landlord. Your landlord might agree to replace it. You could check what was listed in the inventory (if one exists) (see below), or tenancy agreement about the condition of the furniture.

Regular maintenance items such as carpet cleaning, decorating and outside items such as painting, and broken windows and doors are all allowable expenses.

The Landlord & Tenant Act 1927 ("the Act"), sections 1, 2 and 3, give a tenant who has made improvements to a premises during their tenancy a right to compensation at the end or earlier determination of the tenancy. This can occur even if the landlord did not consent to the improvements.

“If a tenant is on a short-term lease, it's unlikely a landlord would give them permission to decorate the property. Essentially, most matters which fall under the bracket term “decorating” would need to be checked with the landlord.

Can a landlord charge a tenant for painting? If a wall needs painting to cover up damage that was caused by normal wear and tear then no, a landlord cannot charge you.

Your landlord should also redecorate if needed once the problem is fixed. Your landlord is always responsible for these repairs even if your tenancy agreement says something different.

As we mentioned, it is a tenant's responsibility to return the property clean and in the same condition as it was given to them. So, yes, your landlord may charge you for carpet cleaning in London if the carpet is spotted, dirty or otherwise out of compliance with the cleanliness standards.

Can you put things on the wall in a rental?

Your tenancy agreement should state whether you're able to hang pictures in your rental property. “Most landlords will allow tenants to hang pictures, so long as any damage to walls, such as nail or screw holes, are made good at the end of the tenancy,” says Rob.

Painting any part of a private rental property without the landlord's permission would usually be classified as damage and landlords are within their rights to insist that the house be repainted before you move out or that deductions be made from your deposit.

Can I paint my rented property? This is entirely up to your landlord. Your tenancy agreement may have specific terms that state you can or can't redecorate, so consult that first. Of course, even if the document forbids it, you can still choose to put the proposition to your landlord.

In NSW, the short answer is no, however landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a request minor alterations. Installing or replacing window coverings, including curtains and blinds, is specifically listed as an item a tenant can install where it would be unreasonable for the landlord to refuse.

Check with your property manager: Always review your lease or contact your property manager before starting a decoration project. Let them know you're installing temporary, peel and stick wallpaper for renters. Make a plan: Do you want a single accent wall or is your mind set on decorating a whole bathroom?

It's entirely up to the landlord whether they accept or decline the request, but it can still be worth a shot. They'll be considering if the new kitchen will be worth the cost. Is the old kitchen in need of fixing?

Law requires that landlords: Repair exterior damages to the property. This includes peeled paint, clogged drains and gutters, roof leaks, etc. Take care of the interior.

Rules may vary by city, county and state, but landlords must provide safe, adequate flooring for their tenants. According to Connect2Local, when carpets are seriously uneven or worn out, landlords may be required to replace them. You can start by speaking to the landlord and following up with a written request.

What happens if a tenant makes improvements to the property?

The Landlord & Tenant Act 1927 ("the Act"), sections 1, 2 and 3, give a tenant who has made improvements to a premises during their tenancy a right to compensation at the end or earlier determination of the tenancy. This can occur even if the landlord did not consent to the improvements.

Can someone live with you without being on the lease? Yes, someone can live with the tenant without being on the lease. However, it is important to distinguish the difference between a guest and a long-term guest.

There are a number of benefits of operating a family buy to let: You can let to family members and charge them a reduced rent. You can live in the property if you need to. It may solve a problem for your family.

There's no fixed timescale in which you should redecorate your rental property. However, many landlords choose to redecorate around once every five years, and generally at the end of long tenancies.

A good quality carpet in rental property should last for about 10 years with normal wear and tear. When a carpet wears out and it has not been damaged by the tenant, the landlord is usually responsible for replacing it.

Certainly, every five years is a good time-scale for redecorating.