{"id":1083,"date":"2024-06-17T06:02:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T06:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/?p=1083"},"modified":"2024-06-05T13:04:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T13:04:23","slug":"renter-friendly-home-improvement-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acceptanceinsurance.com\/blog\/renter-friendly-home-improvement-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Renter-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas That Won\u2019t Void Your Lease\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
You\u2019ve found your new apartment. The rent and location are excellent but not the decor or aesthetics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What can you do about it? You ask yourself, \u201cWill my DIY work void my <\/em>renters insurance<\/a>? Will any alterations I make void my lease?\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201cunauthorized alterations\u201d can be as scary as it sounds. It can mean losing your security deposit. You might even get billed for the work management has to do to restore the property to its former state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are renter-friendly home improvement ideas that will keep you out of trouble with management and make your rented spaces your own. But first, a few words about the contracts that affect life in your rented spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your lease spells out the terms of what you can and can\u2019t and must do to live in your new spaces. The terms that probably concern you the most are those regarding when you must pay the rent and how much is due. But there\u2019s more to it. For instance, your lease might spell out your rights when it comes to decorating your place<\/a> and warn against making those previously mentioned unauthorized alterations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Basically, that means you can\u2019t do anything, such as painting or wallpapering your premises, installing kitchen cabinetry, rewiring, or making other changes that will outlast your residency. If you do, the property owners might redo the apartment to its previous condition \u2014such as painting it the original color \u2014 and charge you for the material and labor costs. It can get pretty expensive! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read your lease to see your rights. If in doubt about any home improvement plans, ask first. And get all approvals in writing. That can be as simple as an exchange of emails or text messages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your renters insurance protects your finances, up to your coverage limits, if your belongings are lost or damaged due to fire, theft, vandalism, a burst water pipe, or any other event that can cost you your personal items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your renters insurance will also pay for medical costs if someone is injured while visiting on your property or you\u2019re held legally liable for the accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your coverage might also settle for the loss or damage of your personal property stored off-site, even in the trunk of your car. And if a fire or destructive weather event leaves you without a home while repairs are underway, your coverage might pay for temporary housing for weeks or longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your policy isn\u2019t likely to be voided unless you add rooms or otherwise make such extensive alterations that your rented residence no longer reflects what your policy covers. That\u2019s pretty unlikely. Just remember to add renters insurance to your checklist of things to consider when apartment hunting<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the ten renter-friendly DIY projects you can easily and inexpensively undertake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Welcome to your neutral shade of white apartment. Landlords tend to paint rented spaces white because the color goes with everything, but it may not be your preferred shade. However, your property manager won\u2019t let you choose another coat of paint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer might be renter-friendly wallpaper. Peel and stick wallpaper, in theory, goes up and comes down easily and leaves no permanent evidence of its use. Paper and wall and floor decals of this nature will definitely personalize your spaces. Then, just peel them off before you move out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Measure the space carefully before applying the paper so it won\u2019t be crooked. Unsightly bubbles can occur if you don\u2019t smooth out your work on the wall surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you make plans to move out, reserve several hours to painstakingly remove your temporary wallpaper or decals. Some experts suggest using a hairdryer or other heat source to loosen the adhesive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anytime you start messing around with electricity, you\u2019re probably in trouble with your apartment lease. Your lighting might be scant, weak, or dull, but rewiring new lighting fixtures would almost certainly be a pricey, unauthorized alteration unless you got permission \u2014 in writing \u2014 before calling an electrician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But how else are you to install wall sconces in that shadowy hallway or under-cabinet kitchen lighting if your place isn\u2019t wired for the practical or ambient lighting you need? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to take on the cost of rewiring or the hassle of getting permission to make major upgrades. There are all sorts of battery-powered lighting options. Say your spaces already have mounted fixtures, but the wiring doesn\u2019t work. One solution is puck lighting. You can use these bulbs in lamps that no longer work or wired units with wiring on the fritz. Just glue the puck lights in place and run the lighting on batteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Motion-sensor rechargeable strip bar lighting can easily fit under kitchen cabinets, in closets, or in bathrooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What if your sofa and lamp table are positioned so far from the wall that you don\u2019t want to run a cord and cause someone to trip? While your renter\u2019s insurance will protect your finances if a guest is hurt in such an accident, it\u2019s still an ugly sight. It\u2019s also a great excuse for a battery-powered lamp. No straggly cords, no injury waiting to happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a screwdriver and a drill, you can mount battery-powered sconces on the walls, leaving behind only a couple of tiny holes that you can easily patch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want a great no-effort DIY home improvement idea for your rented house? How about solar-powered outdoor lighting for the patio, flower beds, or walkways? Just stick the lighting units in the ground and let natural sunlight power them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The point is, there\u2019s a lot you can do in terms of lighting to give your space a warmer look or greater functionality without even considering the wiring. If you plan on having friends over often, lighting is a key factor in any renters guide to hosting a big game party<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rarely (if ever) is your major concern about moving into your new apartment going to be that you have too much space for your furniture, and you feel like you\u2019re rattling around in a warehouse. It\u2019s usually the opposite problem of too little space for too much stuff. If you’re moving in together, you need to know<\/a> your partner’s preferences when it comes to space and storage, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, there are renter-friendly home improvement ideas to the rescue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One common complaint, especially if you have an older apartment or rented house, is the cramped closet space. Inexpensive items, including trays, boxes, hanging bars, and other storage units, fit easily into the space you have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also buy standalone bookshelves for items you\u2019d like to display. Or mount shelves installed with screws and brackets, once again leaving only minimal screw holes, which you can patch up before you leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you wish to spend a bit more money, you can hire human organizers \u2014 individuals more gifted than you in the art of using every square inch of available space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s an upside to cramped living quarters: it might keep you from hoarding items you don\u2019t need. That will make your next move much easier and less costly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That \u201cbreath of fresh air\u201d comment isn\u2019t just an expression, as you probably learned in junior high how plants consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Vegetation can also add visual appeal to your space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Best of all, plants are cheap for what could be years and years of utility.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding Your Lease and Renters Insurance Basics<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. The Magic of Removable Wallpaper and Decals<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Updating Lighting Fixtures Without Rewiring<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Maximizing Space With Creative Storage Solutions<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Incorporating Greenery for a Breath of Fresh Air<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n