With simply over per week to go till the large day, nearly all of UK houses ought to be trying fairly festive by now. Mine appears like a mashup of one in every of RuPaul’s clothes and the set of Bladerunner because of the sudden explosion of colors and lights that hit you while you are available. Fancy.
Making your property really feel festive is an element and parcel of the entire Christmas expertise and, as a result of nature of this 12 months’s super-condensed vacation break, each little little bit of festive cheer is welcome.
Nevertheless, in line with lettings administration platform, Howsy, should you dwell in a rental property, it’s value doing all your homework earlier than you get carried away because it might value you as soon as the festive mud has settled and you come back to actual life in January.
Calum Brannan, founder and CEO of Howsy, explains: “As a nation we love Christmas and it appears as if the tree goes up earlier yearly, however it’s vital to keep in mind that as a tenant, you continue to must abide by the foundations of your tenancy settlement. If you happen to don’t, you would be liable for extra prices to return the property to its unique state.”
How’s it hanging?
One minor element that usually journeys up many tenants is the actual fact they merely aren’t allowed to hold something from the partitions and most tenancy agreements will particularly limit you from doing so. That is largely to cease folks from drilling to hold photos but additionally consists of fixing issues with out screws or nails.
Even sticky tape or blue tack can take away paint or plaster and go away the wall needing a brand new lick of paint or some extent of restore, and this will enhance void durations for landlords whereas they set it straight, with the invoice typically despatched the best way of the tenant or deducted from their deposit.
Many rental properties will include image rails or different factors to which you’ll connect your Christmas decorations however should you aren’t certain, ask your landlord. Whereas they’ve each proper to refuse any modifications, they are going to greater than seemingly allow you to go forward. However keep in mind, you might be liable for returning the property again to its unique state and any prices required to take action will sit with you.
What can I do?
Simply since you’re in a rental property it doesn’t imply you possibly can’t have a good time in model and Howsy has put collectively a couple of tricks to hold all concerned pleased in the course of the holidays and past.
The tree
Even getting the tree within the door can scratch partitions, injury floorboards or carpet and go away a large number come the New 12 months. Go for a realistically sized one on your rental property or get your self a fairly sized synthetic one, however simply ensure it’s hearth retardant. All the time hold it away from a warmth supply to be double certain it received’t catch hearth while you’re not round.
Paper decorations
Not solely will you be doing all your bit for the atmosphere, however paper decorations additionally look nice, convey a standard really feel to your property and received’t stain, soften or discolour the wall.
Hanging decorations
There are a couple of merchandise available on the market that promise to not go away a mark on partitions when eradicating them, however relatively than danger it, look to hold decorations from curtain rails or objects of furnishings that you simply personal your self. Whereas slightly extra time consuming, use thread or fishing wire to connect your decorations to be able to simply reduce it away when its time for them to come back down.
All the time keep away from blue tack or sticky tape as it might probably injury the wall and by no means dangle something within the kitchen or over the cooker or another open-source of warmth. Fireplaces look fairly festive when lined in decorations however could be lethal ought to your tinsel grow to be unattached and fall into the flames.
Lights and electricals
Lights are a good way to brighten with out leaving a mark however keep in mind whether it is exterior the home to make it tasteful to keep away from any complaints from neighbours. If it’s inside, ensure they’re pretty new and meet security laws to keep away from potential hearth threats. Don’t go away them on in a single day and don’t overload plug sockets with a number of units.
It’s a good suggestion to at all times place your tree or lights near a plug socket within the first place to keep away from the temptation of extension cords and don’t have them working beneath rugs or carpet should you do have to make use of one.
Examine your insurance coverage
Some festive hearth injury generally is a worst-case situation for you and your landlord and in probably the most tragic instances may cause lack of life. Consider it or not, some insurers received’t pay out if the trigger is ornamental lights so test you might have the perfect cowl attainable.
Calum concludes: “It may appear a bit Scrooge-like to be so exhausting on hanging decorations however there’s an excellent purpose for it. After we’re tearing down decorations with a sore head on the primary of January the very last thing we’re pondering is about defending the partitions or ceilings, particularly if we’re shifting on to a brand new property as is usually the case with tenants following Christmas.
“Nevertheless, after an costly festive interval and with an extended January forward, the very last thing you want is on your deposit to be eaten up with further fees to convey the place again as much as normal, so it’s properly value excited about earlier than relatively than after and doing what you possibly can to minimise any injury.
“On the finish of the day, landlords are folks too and so in case you have the courtesy to seek the advice of them with any plans earlier than you set them into motion, you’ll discover that 99.99% of the time they’re greater than keen to allow you to go forward and will even have recommendation on the perfect route in doing so, having been there earlier than themselves.”
