To ask those of you who rent

[SpillTheTeaa]

What you're allowed to do in your rented flat/house? By this I mean decorating etc.
Been stuck in my flat a bit too long and bored at staring at such plain boring magnolia walls. Not even allowed to hang pictures up and a lot more things we are not allowed to do but the list will go on and on would like to know if my landlords are a bit strict or if this is normal ha!

Well I rent a,housing association house so can decorate it how I want but when in private rented they said we could decorate as long as we returned it to neutral colours when we left

Landlord here. I view as their house while they live there. Tenants can (and have) paint, put up pictures installed cat flaps, put up curtain rails (there were blinds before) etc etc

When I was a student renting I asked their permission and they said it was ok as long as it was a reasonable color. I chose lilac so fine but probably black they'd not have been ok with.

You could always ask if it's ok and if needed promise to turn it back fo magnolia before leaving.

Changing the color makes such a difference, it's fun.

Interesting!
I asked to paint DS's nursery to white and have it done properly so they knew it would be done at a good standard and they said no also a no to a blackout roller blind in his nursery.

Landlord here... I let my tenants have free reign within reason of course. They can decorate however they like, have pets if they wish. As long it it’s kept to a decent standard I’m fine

I wasn’t allowed to paint the nursery but found some stick on wall paper (sorry can’t remember where) that apparently peels off without leaving marks which I was told to use as long as I painted the wall the original colour of it left a mark.

The lettings agent said let us know if you want to redecorate, but we haven't bothered yet. I think the place does need a fresh lick of paint and there are some holes in the walls from when previous tenants put up pictures, so I don't think they're picky

You can get blackout curtains instead, we used to have one for DS

Also, look into removable wallpaper :)

That sounds quite strict tbh OP....not even allowed to put up a blackout blind ? My landlord says the same as other PPs....its your house, make it ur own...so long as its put back to original conditions upon leaving. I have photos on the walls etc

We rent from a housing association and we're allowed to do anything apart from make structural changes. We've painted and decorated, changed a few carpets, put some pictures up and have hung New curtains and blinds.

Has your ll said why you're not allowed to do anything? Surely if you rent the place you should be able to treat it as your home and decorate as you wish so long as you change it back when you leave?

We privately rent and have been told to do whatever we like, it’s our house.

HA rent , I can do what I like regarding decorating / putting pig's curtain rails etc . I asked last week if I could fit a cat flap but no reply yet but I am fairly sure they will let me .
Long term tenant tho so that may make a difference

So lucky 😫.
The thing is we're very good tenants and I'm not just saying that btw. Quiet and clean and rent is paid on time. Never missed a payment.
They never give a reason it's just no. I've been asking them to fix the wobbly banister for months 🤦🏻‍♀️.
Honestly not allowed to apply anything to the walls at all so although a great idea for the wallpaper they would say no and letting agents check the property every 3 months so I wouldn't even be able to do it on the sly.

Me and DH private rent and we can do whatever we like. We have had new carpets fitted, decorated throughout & currently making over the entire garden

This really annoys me it's ridiculous you can't even put stuff on walls... How miserable can you get

As long as I turn the flat back to the way I took it over, I can do what I like in it (when I had the dry wall put in to give both kids their own rooms and about 12 extra sockets, I asked for permition, though)

We may have the same landlords op,I've rented many private properties,always been an excellent tenant(not blowing my own horn,landlords have always given me great references and said they'd rent to me again)Ineeded this house for location but it was the hardest to get and the hardest to try to have a life in as forever on hooks that will do something the landlords wont like.

Contract states we can do pretty much nothing, but verbal agreement is we can do what we want as long as when we leave it is how it was when we got it. One of the partners was a bit more anal about things, but fortunately he's stepped back now!

I have been using those 3M Command damage free hanging strips to get around the “no pictures” thing. They are great and really don’t show any marks at all. Cheap as chips from B&M or Wilkos. Definitely help to cheer up magnolia!

My previous place, I wasn't even allowed to put up picture hooks. Here, I could do almost as I like, within reason (I don't think black walls and ceilings all round would be appreciated, but as I would have to live with them, I'd appreciate it even less.)

I actually have no idea what I’m allowed to do in this house. I’ve had nothing from my landlord to say and I haven’t asked because I hate decorating and the wallpaper that was already up in the living room was lovely and matched my colour theme (curtains/cushions etc). The rest of the house is magnolia and I’m perfectly happy with that. I have used existing holes to hang pictures where possible and command hooks otherwise. I’ve moved that many times from rental to rental that I won’t be spending any money improving any of them. I keep them very clean but that’s it.

We probably do binge .
I can't wait to move! I look all the time but the area is so pricey and it's not an option to move out of it.
Honestly because of the checks every 3 months I might as well leave the bloody walls plain. They send the letting agent with checklists ffs..

Hate the inspections too never know what one particular one will decide to pick on

It's always the same letting agent who does the check and she literally spends about a minute because she knows how much of a good condition we keep the flat in! 😂

I would seriously question whether 3 monthly inspections constitute quiet enjoyment of your home.
My house is magnolia but I actually like it . Fortunately when I moved in there were hundreds of hooks already in the walls. Its lovely to be able to put up my pictures.

It would be so nice to have a really lovely house one day. Like one that's lovely walls and nice carpet like one you own or a really good quality let one
But when you've got pets and low income you have to stick with what you've got