Redecorating? Better Ask Your Landlord First. Homeowners do it all the time. Redecorate, remodel, rebuild. Why shouldn't tenants get the home improvement bug?
There are two good reasons why you should think twice about making improvements or alterations on your rental unit. First, your landlord might not be as enthusiastic about your plan as you are and may even keep your security deposit to return the property to its original state. Second, you might not be able to take some of the things you buy with you to your next apartment.
Tenants often don't realize what a headache improvements and alterations are for landlords. Most landlords can recount many horror stories about tenants who invested many hours of toil on, say, redecorating a bathroom with lavender tiles or painting every wall orange. Most of these tenants probably didn't read their leases or rental agreements, which probably contained clauses that specifically prohibited any alterations or improvements. And I'll bet they were pretty angry when they didn't get one cent of their security deposits back. If only they'd asked first, they would have saved themselves a lot of time and money.
If you just can't wait to get your hands on some power tools or the arrival of your Martha Stewart catalog starts you salivating like Pavlov's dog, here are some things you should carefully consider:
Tenants often don't realize what a headache improvements and alterations are for landlords. Most landlords can recount many horror stories about tenants who invested many hours of toil on, say, redecorating a bathroom with lavender tiles or painting every wall orange. Most of these tenants probably didn't read their leases or rental agreements, which probably contained clauses that specifically prohibited any alterations or improvements. And I'll bet they were pretty angry when they didn't get one cent of their security deposits back. If only they'd asked first, they would have saved themselves a lot of time and money.
If you just can't wait to get your hands on some power tools or the arrival of your Martha Stewart catalog starts you salivating like Pavlov's dog, here are some things you should carefully consider:
Fixtures
Did you know that if you attach your bookcase to the wall for safety reasons, the bookcase becomes a "fixture" in legal terms? When it comes time to move, this bookcase, or any other fixtures you've attached to the building or the property, is no longer yours to take with you. By law, fixtures are your landlord's property. Many landlords don't want your bookcase and probably won't squabble over it as long as you don't leave gaping holes in your walls. But you never know what a landlord will do when the law is on his or her side. Remember fixtures are anything you attach to the property. Say you decide to invest in a nice new dishwasher. You'd probably like to take it with you when you leave, right? Well, better negotiate that with your landlord before you make the investment. Or, you could avoid the problem and buy a portable dishwasher that doesn't require permanent installation. Simply connecting a portable dishwasher to a faucet (or for that matter, plugging in a free-standing appliance) does not make it a fixture.
Many landlords will accommodate your need for a particular fixture that doesn't damage the property. For example, a landlord may agree to let you install and then remove blinds, as long as you fill in the holes that you made and perhaps even touch up the paint. Even if your lease doesn't have a clause prohibiting alterations or improvements, it's a good idea to get your landlord's permission in writing. The agreement should clearly state that you will be allowed to remove the fixture and what the landlord expects you to do to return the property to its original state.
Many landlords will accommodate your need for a particular fixture that doesn't damage the property. For example, a landlord may agree to let you install and then remove blinds, as long as you fill in the holes that you made and perhaps even touch up the paint. Even if your lease doesn't have a clause prohibiting alterations or improvements, it's a good idea to get your landlord's permission in writing. The agreement should clearly state that you will be allowed to remove the fixture and what the landlord expects you to do to return the property to its original state.
Beautifying Your Home
If you're planning on staying in your apartment for a long time, you might just want to spruce it up-paint the walls, strip the paint off the hardwood floors, or put down new linoleum in the kitchen. While these kinds of improvements don't involve installing fixtures that you hope to take with you, you'll still want to talk to your landlord and even sign an agreement. You might also want to keep all of your receipts in case you do end up in court.The golden rule to remember is to not make any improvements the landlord doesn't want, especially if you ever want to see your security deposit again. And even if you don't care about your security deposit, keep in mind the landlord could sue you in small claims court for thousands of dollars to "fix" any improvements that he thinks are detriments.
However, your landlord might like your improvement idea. If your landlord thinks your work will enhance the apartment, you could try to get some financial support for it. Perhaps your landlord will foot the bill or at least buy some paint. Some landlords prefer to do the work themselves to ensure that it is done to their high standards. In this case, you might pay for the paint or supplies, and the landlord might cover the labor costs.
And if your landlord flat out denies your improvement request? Well, perhaps it's time to apply your passion to something that won't get you evicted, like woodworking or Feng Shui classes at your local Adult school.
Written by Leta Herman - Copyright 1998 Leta Herman - Distributed by Inman News Features
However, your landlord might like your improvement idea. If your landlord thinks your work will enhance the apartment, you could try to get some financial support for it. Perhaps your landlord will foot the bill or at least buy some paint. Some landlords prefer to do the work themselves to ensure that it is done to their high standards. In this case, you might pay for the paint or supplies, and the landlord might cover the labor costs.
And if your landlord flat out denies your improvement request? Well, perhaps it's time to apply your passion to something that won't get you evicted, like woodworking or Feng Shui classes at your local Adult school.
Written by Leta Herman - Copyright 1998 Leta Herman - Distributed by Inman News Features