Whether you own or rent your Cypress home, we all would like to live in comfort in our living space. For the majority, this would involve adding decorative elements that help to personalize a home. But if you are a renter, decorating can have a massive effect on your security deposit. Most leases list down the kind of changes you, the tenant, can do as well as the things you would need permission from your landlord to do.
But if some things aren’t completely clear, you may wonder exactly where the line is between what’s allowed and what isn’t. And if you’re not totally sure, you may unintentionally do something that could get less of your security deposit back than you want. Here are a few common décor items that would cost you – and how to avoid being charged for repairs.
Interior Paint
It is the number one question renters ask: Can I paint the interior of my rental house? And this typical question actually makes sense to ask! One easy way to personalize a room or the entire home is by changing the paint color. But be certain to check with your landlord first if your lease specifically states whether you can paint your rental house,
Most leases state that you should return the home to its original condition. Even if it does not specifically indicate paint in any section of the lease, it’s crucial to understand that this includes the paint color on the walls. Your landlord is able to legally withhold funds from your security deposit to repaint the house if you have modified the wall colors and return it to its original state before you leave.
Wall Damage
Another pretty big reason renters do not get their entire security deposit back is because of holes (or other damage) in the walls. When you modify your home, you may not be thinking about how your landlord will react to the damage left after putting framed artwork, mounted televisions, or other wall-mounted décor items. Even some nail holes in a wall can cause a security deposit deduction, and the cost of repairs increases depending on the size of the holes that are left behind.
To prevent losing your deposit, try planning your décor while taking into consideration what’s going to happen after you’re done renting. Choose nail-free hangers instead, or just completely avoid hanging anything on the walls. Large artwork or televisions can just as well look good on top of an accent table or cabinet and will not leave wall damage behind.
Floor Damage
Finally, be sure to consider your floors as you decorate. Heavy furniture and other items may gouge, scrape, and otherwise damage floorings like wood or laminate, and crack or break the tile. If you have large things you need to keep in your home, have another person help you move them and place protective material, like a blanket or moving pad, underneath so that you will have less floor damage. If you have the tendency to move your furniture around often, think about buying some felt padding for the bottom of your furniture to make rearranging your décor easier and less likely to cause damage.
Regardless if you decorate your rental home, you should always remember, at some point, you will be moving out. And when it happens, the less you need to do to restore the home to its original condition, the bigger the chance you will get your full security deposit back.
Is moving to a new rental home on your to-do list this year? Real Property Management Republic could have the best one for you! We have quality rental homes for every taste and budget, so check out our listings today.
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