Renting - what can I get away with?

[tapihomeware]

In terms of home decoration.

I am renting an apartment in London where space is tight. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have a corner kitchen, where only one side of the kitchen has cupboards above the counters. On the other wall, I would like to put a floating shelf on the empty space above those counters. Or do you have any other storage ideas that won’t involve drilling?

Wrt drilling, I would seek the landlord’s permission first and know I would need to get any damage rectified before I leave.

Also I hate the flooring! I was thinking to get a sheet laminate wood effect vinyl? It wouldn’t damage the floor underneath. Is this a bad idea?

you can't ask us, you need to ask the landlord

Without involving drilling, my son bought plastic food storage that sat on top of each other and a very extensive standalone spice rack. On one empty wall he has stainless steel standalone shelving which he uses for pots pans and cans of food.

For work that involves "amending" the property you can only ask the landlord. I suspect its not allowed per se, but the landlord might not like the current situation either and be prepared to say yes if he can be part of the changes so you don't make it worse.

My son had one small improvement he wanted and his landlady offered to do it!

So, who knows!

We have always put up shelves in rentals and filled in holes/repainted on leaving. I don’t see any issue with what you aren’t doing.

I am an inventory clerk and I see tenant modifications daily. It's not about 'getting away' with anything as a clerk like me will notice ervything and make liability recommendations at check out.

The advice I give all tenants, and landlords, is to communicate clearly and keep all of those communications.

So you ask the landlord for permission, explaining what you will use, and ask them if they want you to remove things when you leave.

They will make their own decision, they may even decide to do some of the changes for you, and you can go ahead knowing what is expected.

At check out I would make note of the changes and would mark either "tenant to remove and make good" or "See file for information " giving both landlord and tenant notice to check any communications to seee what was agreed.

So don't try getting away with anything, talk to your landlord!

I would read your Tenancy Agreement and email your landlord. Definitely get the conversation in writing.

With drilling a wall, I worry about going through a wire or water pipe so would find an alternative if possible. Can use ask to fix a rail or shelf to the underside of the wall cupboards?

The flooring will need some kind of strong fixing. Can you put rugs down?

Are you intending to stay there for several years? If it's only for a year you may find your LL might be reluctant to agree.

However, they may be easy breezy so worth asking

You can buy stick on tiles for the floor. I’ve seen them in a housing group on FB that I’m in.

They are self adhesive and are from Dunelm and don’t damage the floor according to those that have used them.