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How to make your rented property feel like home.

One of the toughest things to achieve when you’re renting a property is making it feel like ‘home’.

By making decorative changes to a rental property, you could be putting your deposit at risk, too.

In this guide, however, we’ll reveal some of the things you may be able to do to add personality to your rental property without losing your deposit…

Can you decorate while renting?

While some landlords may be happy for a tenant to decorate their rental property, others are less likely to allow any permanent changes.

Making changes to your rental property could mean your landlord has grounds to deduct money from your deposit, so it’s important to fully understand what you can and can’t do

“Your tenancy agreement should state what’s allowed and what isn’t, but if you’re unsure, always ask your letting agent or landlord before doing anything that could jeopardise your deposit.  

“Asking your landlord for permission to make decorative changes is always the right approach.  

“That way, the worst that can happen is they say ‘no’, but they may be prepared to allow you to paint, for example, as long as they have approval on the colour scheme, or you agree to return the property to its original state before you leave.”

Can I put pictures up in a rented house?

Your tenancy agreement should state whether you’re able to hang pictures in your rental property.

Most landlords will allow tenants to hang pictures, so long as any damage to walls, such as nail or screw holes, are made good at the end of the tenancy,If the tenancy agreement doesn’t shed any light on whether this is permitted, always speak to your landlord or letting agent to ask for consent and get that consent in writing, so there’s no dispute when it comes to your deposit.

How do you personalise a rental property?

There are a whole host of things you may be able to do that will add some personality to your rental property while also ensuring you keep hold of your deposit:

1. Hang wall art and pictures with hanging kits

Hanging kits, such as Command Strips, are a great solution for hanging pictures and art without damaging walls.

One of the best ways to make a rental property feel like home is by adding pictures of family and friends, or your favourite art

Using hanging kits is a great way to do this without causing damage to walls and having to repair them before you move out.

2. Add personality with house plants

House plants not only add colour and texture to a rental property, but they also have excellent health benefits, too.

And because they’re a removable object, they pose no risk to your deposit.

House plants have excellent air purifying abilities, or you could even grow an indoor herb garden and use what you grow to cook up a storm

“There’s a real sense of warmth and homeliness that comes from house plants, but make sure you take good care of them, so they thrive throughout your tenancy.”

3. Use soft furnishings to brighten up your space

If you’re renting an unfurnished property, it can be easier to make it feel more like yours simply by having your own things there with you.

If the items supplied by your landlord aren’t to your taste, try adding some soft furnishings to bring them to life

It’s  amazing what a few cushions or a coloured throw can do to a brown sofa that lacks personality

It’s important, though, to make sure you look after your landlord’s items throughout your tenancy agreement and only add items that won’t cause damage.

4. Add storage and style

If your rental property lacks storage as well as style, try to solve both problems with freestanding items you can take with you when your tenancy expires.

Freestanding shelves are superb for boosting your rental property’s storage capability while also adding some personality.

Always be careful when constructing flatpack items, though, so you don’t cause any damage to flooring or walls that could affect your deposit.

Use freestanding mirrors and art

If your tenancy agreement clearly forbids hanging anything on the walls of your rental property, or your wall art or mirrors are too heavy for hanging kits like Command Strips, fear not..

Freestanding mirrors are hugely popular and very much on trend, so propping one up against your bedroom or living room wall is a great way to add a feeling of space as well as style.

It’s  not always necessary to hang art on a wall, either – place it on the floor up against a unit or sideboard, or use an easel to display your favourite piece

Invest in different lighting

Lighting can really bring a property to life – especially if your rental home is lacking natural light. Try adding some additional lamps in corners of darker rooms You could also change the property’s lightbulbs for softer or harder light, depending on what works best, but check your tenancy agreement before you do and ask your landlord if you’re unsure if this is allowed.

Many  landlords will be more than happy for you to change light bulbs, but if they’re using energy efficiency lighting, they may request that you do the same.

Make the outdoor space inviting..

One of the spaces where you can make a real impact without risking your deposit is your rental property’s garden or outdoor space. Add some potted plants for additional colour and texture or ask your landlord if they’d mind you planting some bedding plants. Your tenancy agreement may state your obligations when it comes to the property’s outdoor space

It’s likely you’ll be expected to keep it maintained and in good order, such as mowing the lawn, but it’s possible to add some personality to the space, too, if your landlord is happy for you take control