If you rent, clever hacks

[numberonecook]

We bought our house a long time ago and are now lucky enough own it outright. The trouble is we have outgrown it and it now needs lots of structural and cosmetic work so we can get it sold.

We will have to rent for at least 1-2 years Whilst all this is going on and it got me thinking about things like photos on the wall, keeping things clean, shelves etc things that may not be possible or be difficult in a rental. I’m sure there are many more.

What are your clever hacks to make a house a home when renting? How do you keep things clean with kids in a rental?

sounds a bit 'desperate journo' but in case you aren't...

the idea that you can't put up pictures in a rental is Guardian-bollocks. Of course you can, just minimise the damage, don't nail through pipes and make good (NOT repaint) when you leave.

keeping a rental clean is that same as any other house. Wear and tear is fine. Kids scribbling on walls is damage. Baths painted with bath crayons is damage. It's simple.

Haha defo not a journalist, my job is much more boring , just havnt rented before so unsure on what you can and can not do lol. I’m lucky our kids are older so hopefully the teenagers won’t be scribbling on walls haha

Best to ask your landlord once you find a place. Some are more flexible than others, if landlord agrees to certain things just get it put in writing.

really, you don't need 'hacks'. You have a right (despite what Shelter and the Guardian think, tenants have lots of rights) to 'quiet enjoyment' which means living like a normal human.

start with the 'how to rent' guide on gov.uk and go from there.

I think there's quite a lot of nice touches you can make without getting into (much) DIY, for example:

Peel and stick wallpaper, which is a form of vinyl film that is removable later without redecorating
Tile transfers, which can also be removed later. You can sometimes use them on kitchen doors as well
Throws and cushions with accent colours
Large mirrors leant against the wall
Photo frames stood on side tables
Really large plants in pretty ceramic pots standing on the floor
Different lampshades
Fairy lights
Plug-in electric stoves

Thank you for your replies. I have looked at the removable wallpaper because Dds room in the new potential house has horrific wallpaper and certainly not taste of a teenage girl lol.

Didn’t think of leaning mirrors etc that’s a great idea thanks.

Some terrific removable products here: www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-temporary-removable-products-all-renters-should-know-about-206028?crlt.pid=camp.X5oPoht9Rfgo

Easy fit pendant lights that go on the existing fittings: www.dunelm.com/search?q=easy+fit+pendant

You can get towel ladders and bookshelves that lean against walls too. If you have older children this is a real possibility.

Easy fit pendant lights that go on the existing fittings: www.dunelm.com/search?q=easy+fit+pendant

aren't they lampshades?

Yes, I knew there was a word for them

when we rented and there was a fake wood floor that we hated, we went ahead and bought our own fitted carpet. Explained to the fitters it was a rental, and they agreed to GLUE the carpet down round the edges, rather than using those gripper things. We stayed 7yrs, and it was so worth it having a nice floor.

Rugs to cover the carpeted areas with heaviest traffic.
Glass worktop savers to protect kitchen counters.
Foam tubing on door handles that open against walls or cupboards to prevent marking.

and accidental damage cover in your tenant's insurance - then if something does get damaged, it should make up the loss in the deposit if there is any.

Re pictures, Command strips and hooks are amazing. (We’ve been in plenty of rentals that didn’t allow any holes in walls stated in the tenancy agreement).

Otherwise, treat it like your own home.

Check out Hayley Stuart's blog for all the tricks she did to her rental pad: iamhayleystuart.com

Her earlier stuff is probably more useful as it was before she was gifted tiles and things to do bigger projects