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Painting walls, replacing flooring or redoing the interior decor is generally not permitted with an apartment rental. If you are renting a home, there may still be restrictions but you will probably have a bit more leniency in what you want to do, depending on the personality and preferences of the homeowner. Landlords who do not want to see major modifications done to their property may place strict restrictions. Some homeowners prefer a renter who will fix up the interior of the home. After all, the repairs and upgrades will enhance the home's value. The latter type of owner may allow the renter a significant latitude in their decorating options. How Much Redecorating or Home Improvements Should a Renter Do? If you are renting a home, think about your budget before doing anything. Since the rental home is not your property, how much money are you willing to spend for someone else's benefit? Some homeowners may allow the renter to make minor decorating changes such as changing the drapes or blinds, hanging pictures or painting the walls. Extensive decorating work like putting in new carpet, installing more windows or taking down walls might not be considered acceptable by some property owners. It is possible that the homeowner might approve of this type of extensive work so long as the work is to be done by a a licensed contractor. The bottom line, however, is why on earth should you invest money and time in making major improvements to someone else's property when you receive no tax or other benefit? You are better off making do with minor interior decorations and improvements and saving your money for a down payment on your own property. Before Redecorating, Check with the Homeowner Read and understand your rental agreement before investing anything in interior decorating. There may be specific prohibitions about painting or other activities in the contract. It is unlikely that the lease will spell out each and every possible type of interior decor activity, so check with the homeowner before making modifications to the rental house. If possible, obtain a written statement from the homeowner that sets forth the landlord's approval of your modifications. If It's Iffy, Just Don't Do It As a renter, if you're not sure whether you can perform a specific decorating activity and you are unable to reach the homeowner, it's best to not make any changes. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run, especially if the landowner asks you to undo the changes. Some Inexpensive Decorating Tips Regardless of whether you are renting a home from a landlord who permits a lot of changes or is very restrictive, there are some easy things that you can do to upgrade the interior of your rental house. Best yet, you can keep these improvements and use them in your next home (preferably, the one you buy) instead of spending a lot of money that you will not be able to recoup. RUGS - If the carpet or tile in the rental home is stained or just plain ugly, cover it up with attractive area rugs or throw rugs. ART AND PLANTS - If the wall color is hideous and you're not allowed to change the wallpaper or paint, hide it with some nice artwork. Large, leafy houseplants like Ficus trees add a touch of class to a home and can cover otherwise ugly spaces. DECORATIVE FURNITURE - Nice furniture will change the look of a rental home. You can upgrade the interior decor by furnishing it with futons, known for their versatility and space saving features. Mix and match your furnishings with futon covers, available in a variety of colors and patterns that can change the look of a room. Add a few throw pillows for color and the room will look much different. Futons are excellent furnishings for small, cramped rooms. Use them as a couch or chair by day and a bed at night. LIGHTING - Play with light to create a sense of ambiance and draw the eye toward art or other features in the room instead of the defects. Tree lamps or canister lamps can be used to direct light. Just plug them in and don't worry about having to change the light fixtures or having to install dimmer switches.
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Urbain Beck loves to write ... and also loves the versatility and economy of futons. Begin your rental home redecoration by taking a look at the incredible futon designs that are available nowadays at www.futonheaven.com. Change the mood of any room by adding colorful or designer futon covers (futonheaven.com/Futon_Covers,_Mattresses_and_Accessories.html) and throw pillows to your rental home furnishings.
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