Making an old house look clean

[ITriedAnother]

We live in a rental property with a landlord who doesn't invest in the upkeep of the house. We've given up asking and plan to move but still have six months left on the tenancy.

In the meantime, any advice on how to make an old house look clean without spending too much?

The main issues seem to be that the walls are crumbling, there are gaps between laminate flooring and the wall, skirting boards are raised, carpet is threadbare, kitchen surfaces are sinking, everything is just old...

There's probably not a magic solution, I'm just fed up of cleaning loads and it still looking blegh.

Thank you x

Only thing that might help is to have a rug to cover the threadbare carpet, but I don’t know how to help with the rest, as it’s not your responsibility, and you’re leaving soon. It is a pain when cleaning doesn’t seem to help, but hopefully your next place will be better!

Nothing worse than cleaning a house that no matter what you do never looks or feels clean, there really is nothing much you can do to approve the appearance or feel of it as it’s a rental, so just do your normal cleaning routine and keep everything tidy, fresh flowers and some nice plants will make it feel more welcoming and a cheerful rug to cover the threadbare carpet.

It's not cheap, but I think your best bet is to draw the eye with a big bold picture or two, a bold and funky throw on the sofa, that sort of thing. Plants as PP said are also a good shout. Maybe take photos of your rooms and see where your eye is drawn now.

Thank you x

Hi OP, what d’you mean by ‘skirting boards are raised’? Thanks

When I repaint my walls my house always feels/looks cleaner. Gives it a freshen up.

Some of them are coming away from the wall. 'Raised' probably wasn't the right word.

I did wonder if painting might help. Thank you x

Oh, yep. I get you.
Could they be nailed back on? Can you see any nailheads sticking out?
I’ve got rental properties (not UK) but I wouldn’t be paying for and doing this landlord’s painting for free. Keep the money for yourself.
What happens if you break the lease early? Can you do that there?

Don’t bang nails into any electrical wires, of course!

I wouldn’t spend any money on the actual property. I’d live with it and look forward to the move.

I'm in the same situation OP and it never looks or smells clean Go with some bright prints for the walls and plants in nice pots, anything to distract you from crumbling walls/gaps in the floor!

I would buy table lamps and turn off the main lights so you have thatcosy feel. The type of work that will help won't happen

We could break the lease early but we dont want to risk getting a bad reference so we're just going to ride it out. And learn our lesson!

I'll have a look for nails. Thank you x

Thanks all. Lots of great suggestions x

Sympathy. I hate old houses that look grubby no matter how hard you work.
I'd put a big, bold rug down over the threadbare carpet. Create very strong focal points: a clear, polished shelf or side table with flowers or a small sculpture or arrangement of polished photo frames and a lamp. Keep the kitchen/dining table really clean and clear of clutter and put a big vase of flowers or fruit bowl in the middle.

Keep it tidy and hoovered and always have matching bed linen on made beds. Make sure your own glassware, mirrors, taps etc are all as shiny as can be.

And move when you can.

Also, do politely contact the landlord to point these things out. You don't want to get stiffed for basic maintenance he's failed to do when you leave.