{"id":1961,"date":"2015-05-14T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2015-05-14T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/?p=1961"},"modified":"2015-05-14T09:01:42","modified_gmt":"2015-05-14T13:01:42","slug":"diy-projects-that-can-upgrade-your-apartment-without-upsetting-your-landlord-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/diy-projects-that-can-upgrade-your-apartment-without-upsetting-your-landlord-2\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY projects that can upgrade your apartment without upsetting your landlord"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your New York City apartment<\/a> may not have all the bells and whistles, and this is where your creativity comes in. With the rise of DIY projects (do-it-yourself) taking over the internet, it may be tempting to follow the latest online trends. However, most landlords do not allow renovations, large-scale projects, or anything that damages their property. Before you start hot gluing feathers and sequins to your windowsill, consider some renter-friendly DIY projects.<\/p>\n

First, Develop A Strong Relationship<\/h2>\n

Want to renovate your rental apartment without upsetting your landlord? To have the best of both worlds, you should develop a good relationship with your landlord in order to build the level of trust that will allow you the flexibility to change your apartment\u2019s d\u00e9cor. One of the best ways to do this is to be reliable. Always pay your rent on time, and communicate about issues in the apartment before they become an emergency. Are the faucets leaking? Does the toilet sound strange? Are there a few bugs here and there? Tell your landlord. A calm and courteous heads-up gives them time to plan for the labor and expense of repairs, and they\u2019ll be grateful that you are looking after their property.<\/p>\n

Discuss any upgrades you plan to make with them in advance. Don\u2019t let them walk in to find shocking purple walls and a newly decoupaged built in\u2014no matter how awesome you may think it looks. Your landlord will have clear grounds for taking funds out of your security deposit<\/a>, especially when the lease prevents upgrades.<\/p>\n

Here are some fairly quick and inexpensive ways to upgrade your apartment without feeling the wrath of your landlord.<\/p>\n

Indulge in Small Scale DIY Projects<\/h2>\n

Take time to look around your space. Before you get to work, consider if you can remove the project at the end of your lease. If the answer is no, it may be best to leave the project to the experts online.<\/p>\n

For example, many apartments have unsightly lighting fixtures that can come off of the ceiling. In its place, you can put a more decorative fixture, drape heat-resistant cloth, or use faux stained glass and jars. Make sure to research any materials and ensure they can stand exposure to direct light. Additionally, store the item you remove, and its hardware, in a safe and organized location. You’ll need to reassemble the original lighting fixture at the end of your lease.<\/p>\n

Learn more:<\/p>\n