Moving into a new home is often exciting, and many individuals are keen to decorate and create a series of DIY projects to enhance the space. This is perfectly normal and acceptable if you’ve bought the property you’re moving into. Can you do the same in a rental house or apartment?
This post takes a closer look at what you need to know and consider before you start a DIY rental project in your rental space. We share tips such as reviewing your lease agreement, storing original items, and knowing how to reverse an addition to restore the space to its original state when you leave. Additionally, we also highlight the importance of investing in renters’ insurance to cover any mishaps.
Review Your Lease
One of the key queries first-time renters have centers around hanging items without damaging walls. It’s essential to point out that many landlords want to avoid damage at all costs and will request that no new or additional nails or hooks be added.
With this in mind, your first step should be to carefully study your lease agreement to understand what’s allowed and what may result in penalties. For additional clarity, be sure to discuss any prospective DIY jobs with the landlord. It’s always a good idea to get permission in writing to prevent any issues during property inspections or when you move out.
Create a Comprehensive Documentation of Changes
No matter how easy-going your landlord seems, it’s imperative to document all your changes. In addition to getting the necessary permissions in writing, our experts recommend taking “before” and “after” photos and videos. Keep these for the duration of your lease.
Understand the Reversal Process
Many first-time renters aren’t aware that all DIY projects should be reversed to return the space to its original state when they leave. This is because the landlord may struggle to rent the space if the DIY projects are highly customised to your preferences.
This means that if your DIY project involves painting the walls a dark colour, you will have to paint them to their original shade before you get your initial deposit back. You should therefore only opt for easily reversible renovations and attachments. This may require keeping the original fixtures, such as light fittings, showerheads, or door handles, in a safe place for the duration of your lease.
Experts recommend making this process easier by investing in applications such as temporary wallpaper, command hooks, picture ledges, and gallery walls. These are more effective and cause less damage than permanent hooks, nails, and paint.
Consider Simple DIY Decor Ideas
Before you start a DIY project in your new rental space, keep in mind that your stay in the place will be temporary. This means that you should consider the money you’re planning to spend on a DIY project versus the long-term value you’re going to get out of it. With this in mind, it’s always a good idea to opt for simpler, less permanent decor ideas to enhance the space.
A few common examples of this include the following:
- Temporary wallpaper
- Use area rugs to cover ugly flooring
- Install peel-and-stick tiles as a backsplash in bathrooms and kitchens
- Switch out cabinet handles, outlet covers, and showerheads to accentuate your decor (keep the originals)
- Add privacy film to windows
- Invest in pot plants, solar lights, and click-on-decking to transform outdoor spaces.
It’s also essential to consider the noise and dust involved in your renovations. To reduce the noise, opt to have your materials cut and sized at your improvement center. Work within reasonable hours.
Renter’s Insurance is a Must
When you’re moving into a new rental space, it’s essential to cover your stuff with renters insurance, whether your landlord requires it or not. Essentially, renters’ insurance covers your personal property and covers personal liability costs. This covers issues such as water damage, renovations gone wrong, or other irreversible mistakes during your DIY projects.
Quality insurance options also cover medical expenses if someone in your home has an accident or a contractor is injured while working at your home. This makes renters insurance a must-have before you start any major DIY jobs.
Final Thoughts
Take the stress out of DIY jobs in your rental by reviewing your lease agreement for clarity on what’s allowed. Be sure to speak to your landlord about the types of renovations you have in mind. It’s essential to detail how you will return the property to its original state when you move out.
Document the changes and get your landlord’s permission in writing as added protection. Whether your landlord requires it or not, our experts advise investing in a comprehensive renter’s insurance policy to ensure that your property is safe before and after your DIY projects.
