After you’ve moved in and set up your new place, it’s only natural that you might want to start making the place feel more personal and comfortable to live in.
While it may be tempting to make your own adjustments to suit your particular living requirements and style, you must remember that while it is your home, someone else owns it.
This means that the safest option before making any changes is to ask permission before doing anything that may affect the overall condition and presentation of the property.
Tip – Do not complete any type of additions or alterations without the landlord’s written consent.
Sometimes the landlord is within their right to request you change the property back or ‘make good’ to the same way it was before you moved in.
This could even be something as small as removing a plant you’ve planted in the garden.
This can be costly, both with the money you spent on the property to improve its value and liveability and then again to rectify.
Tip – The best money you can spend on a property is on items you can take with you when you leave.
Tip – Before making changes, ask yourself if it will be easy and inexpensive to leave the place in the same way it was before you moved in. If it will and you still want to and make changes, make sure you get approval from the landlord first.
Asking permission also works in your benefit for a number of reasons including;
It shows you’re compliant and an easy tenant to deal with
There’s a lower likelihood that claims against your bond would be made
If the landlord actually wants to do what you’re proposing, they may help cover or split the costs, deduct some of the expense from your rent, or they may even pay for the whole thing altogether!
Overall, the best way to make changes to the property and stay on the safe side is to make changes that are easily rectified before moving out, and that don’t change the property in any way after you’ve left.
This means just getting crafty with;
Furnishings
Plants
Features – Accessories like books, candles and other items
Pictures – Photos and artwork
Lighting – Change the light globes to a consistent warmer colour and open up the place
Tip – If hanging pictures, photos and artwork by fixed hooks, ask the landlord’s permission before installing as this may fall under property alterations.
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This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We are not financial, legal or tax advisers. You should seek appropriate professional advice specific to you before acting on this information.
