Ask A Landlord: Can I DIY?
For our new “Ask a Landlord” series we’ll be asking real property owners for their advice about your burning questions. This time we asked Cynthia Hale, creator of the blog ‘Mother of All Landlords’, for her thoughts on going rogue and taking apartment updates into your own hands. Question “I hate the linoleum in the kitchen of my rental
Amanda Mears
2 min read
For our new “Ask a Landlord” series we’ll be asking real property owners for their advice about your burning questions. This time we asked Cynthia Hale, creator of the blog ‘Mother of All Landlords’, for her thoughts on going rogue and taking apartment updates into your own hands.
Question
“I hate the linoleum in the kitchen of my rental apartment. It’s peeling, yellowed and SO OLD. I’ve been wanting to do a DIY update- what’s the best way to ask my landlord? Will I forfeit my deposit?”
Answer
“You should never alter the property you rent without your landlord’s permission. Whether it would affect your deposit depends on the language in your rental agreement. Tenants sometimes don’t ask because they are afraid that the landlord might raise the rent. And if the landlord puts out money to upgrade your unit, the landlord would be entitled to a return on his or her investment.
But here are a few ideas:
1. Find an idea, and get samples and prices for your landlord. Present it as a “solution” not a “problem.” Part of the presentation would be who will pay for it, who will do the work, etc. Or you could negotiate costs with the landlord.
2. Old linoleum is sometimes difficult to remove and you might end up with a mess that you didn’t anticipate. Also, removal of the linoleum could disclose a bad sub-floor that would need extra preparation and expense before the new flooring can go down. Laying linoleum requires a skilled workman.
3. Pergo or other laminate products are beautiful and they have a spongy sub-layer that disappears imperfections. It’s faster to install, but the product is more expensive. Laminate flooring requires a skilled workman.
4. If your landlord is tacky enough to rent a unit with old and peeling lino, he or she might be tacky enough to let you put down some stick-on tiles. But you may still have a problem making the lino flat enough to get the tiles to stick.
5. You could buy a cool kitchen rug or mat from stores like Target or Ikea and just disappear the ugly. This way you own it and take it with you when you leave, and you don’t have to ask permission.
Good luck!”
If you have a question for us, ask away in the comments or send us an email at [email protected]
Share this article
More articles
TenantsHow to Rent an Apartment: Total Step-by-Step Guide
Figuring out how to rent an apartment or house for the first time can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. To make the process as easy as possible, it’s important to be prepared and to know what to expect. Getting Started: Renting an Apartment for the First Time Renting your first place is a major
Anna L.
TenantsWhat Do Apartments Look For in Background Checks?
If you’re currently apartment hunting, you know it’s common to send multiple applications before finding the right apartment and moving in. With each application, you also generally submit a background check and pay an application fee at some point. But what do apartments look for in background checks? And why do they need to do
Nadiia
TenantsLocked Out of Your Apartment? Here’s What to Do
Getting locked out of apartment buildings is scary, especially late at night. Panic is a common response, but it usually doesn’t help the situation, and it can make it more difficult to think clearly. In this guide from Rentler, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for if you’re locked out of the house: what to do, who
Nadiia