Question For Any Landlords?

[R1 Indy]

Im about to go into my first rental (as a Tennant)

Now reading through my contract, i am required to get written permission for even Blu Tacking anything to the wall!

What is your general feeling with tenants hanging things on walls, i.e. with screws/plugs. as long as holes are made good at the end?


I have a small collection (3) of Guitar's that i would like to hang on the living room wall? Would you generally allow this?

Also there are no curtain poles, i assume i would be allowed to install curtain poles and curtains? Other wise there may be neighbourly complaints

Just wondering what your general consent is to things like this?

Am i likely to get a reply back saying, "in no circumstances are you to drill any holes in the walls" ?

Its a brand new build, so all walls are currently perfect.

Cheers

[randlemarcus]

Seek permission, assure them you are willing to make good at the end of the tenancy, and try and get the old paint pots, as those might have a little bit left to cover the holes.

You could ask about wiring in the walls, but they probably don't know

[Janluke]

I like to be asked over anything being screwed into the wall and always try to accommodate, may draw the line at massive shelves or love swings! not too bothered about blue tac etc. Obviously its made good at the end or payment to make good depending on whether I'd be redecorating or not.

[MW-M5]

Get permission in writing so you are fully aware of any conditions of making alterations to your Landlord's property. By having this in writing you are also protecting yourself at the end of the Tenancy.

As to blu tac I would avoid completely. These leave behind oily stains and the only way to get rid of theses is to first seal the wall with an oil based product and then repaint the wall. If you just paint over them the oily stain will just seep through again. There are much better options out there.

[TeeRev]

That's a pretty standard clause, theoretically we require tenants to ask for similar permission but we're pretty relaxed about screw and nail holes as we always do a refresh coat of paint on the walls between lets, in my experience if you rent people a nicely finished property they will usually keep it nice.

All of our rental properties have venetian blinds at the windows and have curtain poles above in bedrooms and living rooms, tenants provide their own curtains if they want them.

It's only polite to ask for permission to make any changes to a property and I'm sure no reasonable landlord would refuse if the offer to make good is made.

[caiss4]

I'd ask the landlord to provide curtain poles etc. (Decent ones are b****y expensive)

I wouldn't rent out my properties without curtain poles in place, if only to ensure they are properly fitted (always a bit of a job with dry lining and concrete lintels etc).

In my tenancy agreements I allow picture hooks but any other type of fixing requires my permission. I've never refused and tenants have always made good to preserve their deposits!

[R1 Indy]

Thanks guys, will speak to the letting agents before doing anything.

I was a little surprised at no curtain poles actually, as its not too difficult for me with the right plasterboard fittings. But later down the road after several different poles have been fitted, the plasterboard will be fked!

But i guess Unfurnished, means Unfurnished.

[northwest monkey]

All landlords are different, so my advice would be to speak to yours to see what he says. As a landlord, I'm pretty easy going about people putting pictures / shelves up, decorating etc. - as far as I'm concerned it's my tenants home & the more "homely" they make it then the more likely they are to look after it and stay.

I just ask my tenants to let me know before doing anything just to make sure it's nothing daft - a quick text asking "Am I ok to paint a feature wall in the lounge?" is no big deal for them or me. My view is if it can be easily undone at the end of the tenancy then generally I'm happy for them to do it. The tenancy is a standard one though so does say they aren't allowed to do anything blah blah.

My most recent tenant moved in last summer & has so far redecorated their kids bedroom, put shelves up in the kitchen & replaced the knackered grass with artificial stuff - looks great & they're happy! It's not like they've done a bloody loft extension

Fingers crossed yours is ok.

ETA - as for curtain poles I tend not to bother any more as I got sick of replacing them. If a tenant wants to put some up I've got no problems though.