When you find an apartment to rent, you may not like some of its decorations. Maybe the wall color is too flashy, or the curtains look old-fashioned. You may even get furniture that you would never use. Since you plan to stay in the apartment for a while, you want to get comfortable. So, you may wonder, “Is it allowed to decorate the apartment that I rent?”
You can decorate and make some changes to your rented apartment. However, you must come to an agreement with your landlord about the changes and additions you want to make. Your landlord may not allow redecorations if they think it will affect the future tenants.
In this article, I will talk about decorating a rented apartment. You may want to know how much change you can make to the apartment and when the landlords can object.
Can Tenants Decorate Rented Property?
Decorating rented property is a bit tricky. Whether you can decorate your rented apartment depends on your landlord. The landlord may or may not be flexible to allow structural changes in the apartment.
So, you have to ask your landlord when you sign the agreement to rent the apartment. You can discuss how you want to change the apartment and what new decoration you plan to add. Some landlords do not mind you redecorating the apartment, since it will save some of their money.
But landlords are often reluctant about letting tenants make permanent decoration changes in the apartment.
Changing the wall paint or curtains may not be a big deal. Installing furniture or changing door and window frames is not easily allowed. These changes have lasting effects, and future tenants may not like them. Also, the apartment can get damaged during redecoration.
Therefore, discuss with your landlord how you can decorate the apartment. Then decide who is going to pay for the decorations. Depending on the decorations, either you or both of you and the landlord have to pay for them.
If they permit you, get it written in the agreement. Otherwise, your deposit money can be at risk if your landlord changes their mind about redecorating the apartment.
However, landlords usually do not mind letting you make simple and temporary changes. You can install more lighting without changing the wiring system. You may also add some all decorations like painting and wall decor when it does not involve drilling.
Can Landlords Stop You Decorating?
If you are making permanent changes in the apartment without permission from the landlord, your landlord can stop you from decorating. They may even adjust the damage you make to the property from your deposit money.
You may have made an agreement with the landlord about redecorating the apartment. Your landlord may also prevent you from decorating if your redecorations are beyond the agreement.
Many landlords even ask their tenants to return things to the same condition before the redecorations. So, you should always inform your landlord and get their permission to decorate the apartment.
Do not assume your landlord may be okay with any changes you make. While some landlords may not mind you painting the apartment, others may object to even changing curtains.
Here are the changes you cannot make in your apartment with your landlord’s permission:
- Making permanent changes: Landlords will stop any decorations that change the appearance of the apartment. You may want to change the cabinets and door frame or install new furniture. Your landlord may ask you to leave for not informing them about the decoration or ask for property damage compensation.
- Drilling Hole In The Wall: You may want to hang some wall painting or decorations. These decorations typically require drilling the wall. Your landlord may slide one or two holes but will not like seeing too many holes on the wall. Thus, they will ask you to fix the wall at your own cost.
- Changing Wall Paint: You may not like the color of the apartment and decide to repaint your favorite color. Landlords do not feel thrilled about such changes.
- Replacing the flooring: flooring is expensive. So, you should not replace the flooring with your like without the permission of the landlord. They may ask you to return the flooring to the previous design. Thus, you have to pay double for replacing floorings.
- Any changes in electric wiring or plumbing system: When tenants change electric or plumbing systems, it can put landlords in jeopardy. So, they strictly forbid tenants to touch them for redecorating purposes.
Do Landlords Have To Pay For Decorating?
Both the landlord and tenant have to pay for the decorations. Before signing an agreement, tenants can talk to the landlord about what landlords redecorate for the tenants.
Here are the redecorations landlords have to pay for:
- Exterior and interior Damages: Any damages caused by the previous tenants. It can be peeled off paints, damaged flooring, or roof leaks. Landlords cannot impose these fixing issues on new tenants.
- Fixing plumbing and electric systems: Landlords must also fix and pay for clogged drainage systems and faulty electronic wiring systems. Tenants do not have to for water and room heating systems. It is the responsibility of landlords. Also, they have to pay for bathtubs, showers, sinks, basins, and faucets.
- Inspecting water and gas line defects: The landlords have to conduct regular inspections on water and gas lines to ensure supply to the tenants. They have to pay for any damage.
- Repair Broken Furniture: The landlords must pay for redecorating the fixed furniture like cupboards, shelves, or any other furniture they have provided in the apartment. If the tenants damage the furniture, they have to pay for it.
- Paying for Cleaning Carpets: If the landlord has provided carpets, they will pay for any issues before renting the apartment to new tenants. They may have to remove and clean the carpet or install new carpets to make the apartment more attractive.
Can You Paint An Apartment That You Rent?
You may find some issues with the wall paint of the apartment. But the landlord may only repaint the wall if they think the apartment paint is seriously damaged. Tenants can repaint their rented apartment if they get permission from the landlord.
Landlords may happily let you repaint the wall, as it will save them a lot of money. However, if you use a bold color that future tenants may not appreciate, your landlord will ask you to repaint it to the previous color.
There are a few ways you can add color to your apartment wall. You can save some cost by installing stick-on wallpapers on the wall over the paint. This way, you can peel them off before leaving the apartment. Then, you can use some stick-on tiles on the kitchen or bathroom wall.
Also, you may use contact paper to cover floors, walls, ceilings, or furniture. Like stick-on-wallpapers, you can peel them off without damaging the tiles or paints of the apartment.
Conclusion
So, “Is it allowed to decorate the apartment that I rent?” The answer depends on how much redecoration you plan to make. Tenants should always discuss with the landlord any kind of decoration in the rented apartment.
Besides, you should also know which decorations are the responsibilities of landlords so that you do not have to pay unnecessarily.