When you own your home, it is easy to make changes. You can turn the space into anything you want, from using soothing neutral tones of paint and adding carpet, to painting the walls jet black and installing a disco ball. The problem is, when you are living in a rental space like the many apartments for rent in KL, a lot of those personal touches are not an option. You may have restrictions as to what you can do and what you can change. Some landlords require you return everything back to the way it was when you moved in, and others will not even let you make the changes while living in the space. Besides, if you want to make major changes to the space, there is no way you would be willing to go to the expense of returning it to its original form. Major changes would require kitchen remodelers or even a remodeling contractor. Making changes in a rental space and then changing it back could cost tens of thousands of dollars, and few people are willing to sink that kind of money into a temporary living space. Once you own the space, you are free to do whatever you want and the changes add value to the home. But if you are renting, you are limited as to the changes you can make. However, there are still ways to personalize the space and make it feel like home.
Start with paint. First, find out if your landlord will allow you to paint. Some building owners do not mind and they just paint over colors if the next renter does not like them. Others use your safety deposit to take care of the changes once you leave. In other cases, you have to return it to the original color. If you are willing to paint over anything you paint temporarily, this is usually an inexpensive solution. Just be sure you will be able to match up the corrective paint color to their color. Also keep in mind darker colors will take more layers of apartment-beige to cover, so the personalized color you choose should not be too dramatic, unless you are willing to spend time and money with several coats of coverage.
Accessories are another great way to personalize a space. You may not be able to install new carpeting or a new floor, but you can choose options that go over the current flooring. In many cases, you may not be able to tell it is not brand new wall to wall carpeting. If you are trying to cover a tile floor, there are options like rubber floor mats, some of which can even be hand painted to match your decor. In addition to floor coverings, you can change the lighting in a space, add color through fabrics and art, and use furniture that is unique and makes a powerful statement. The trick with personalizing an apartment is to get the neutral walls and flooring to just fall into the background and fade away.
People who are renting an apartment or a house have questions for as to how they can give utmost care for the property. Yes, we all know that we should treat it with respect, and we should not cause any intentional damages to the property we are renting. But there are just times that may not be clear to the renter with regards to the rights and responsibilities he has in the situation. The most obvious solution to this is to review the rental agreement contract with the leasing agent carefully, and grab the chance to clear everything you think is gray. Being able to clear these things out will provide both you and your leasing agent an in depth agreement regarding the apartments or lofts for rent.
Treat it Like Your Own
As the golden rule states, "do unto others what you want others do unto you". This is a simple, straightforward explanation of why we should treat the properties we rent as our own. This theory is as direct as it can be, just make sure you treat your rental home or rental apartment like it's your own. This means you have responsibility of making sure it is damage free, clean, and un-neglected at all times. When the need for a repair arises, make sure you as the renter will be the one to have it fixed and taken care of.
But in reality, sometimes it isn't true because you as the renter don't have the freedom to treat the property as if it was your own. For instance, if you are the homeowner, you have all the right to make modifications on your home. But if you are a renter, this option is not given to you. The only time you will be allowed to do the modifications yourself is when the rental contract says so. The bad thing about this is that most of the allowed modifications are quite insignificant.
The Property Manager can Give you Assistance
Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your property manager when the repairs entail those under their jurisdiction. Examples of these repairs are fixing appliances, unclogging drains, and modifying parts or portions of the property (like installation of lighting fixtures). Even though the renter usually has the freedom to do these, you must double check with your rental agreement for this falls under the property manager's responsibility. If you perform these changes without at the least informing your property manager, you, as the renter, can be held liable for any errors or damages that occur.
On the other hand, there are also some things that are your sole responsibility as the renter. These are usually the simple things, such as changing the light bulbs. These things are all up to the renter's discretion, and you can perform any change as you see fit. In this case, the property manager has the responsibility of handling certain complaints, which are usually directed to the management's attention.
What You Can Do when the Property Manager Isn't Working Well
When the apartment manager isn't responsible in handling complaints and addressing situations that are brought to attention, the renter usually encounters a problem. But like any other ladder, if the manager isn't doing his work, you as the renter can always go straight to his supervisor. The complaint can be very simple but it is a chain reaction and that simple complaint may soon bring hazard to everyone in the compound. This is why it is so important that you do your part into taking action when there is the need to take action. It isn't right to get scared of the property's manager. You as a person and as the renter have the right to complain to higher authority and it is stated in every rental agreement. So if you feel that your property supervisor is not working like he should, go ahead and complain about the quality of service you are receiving from them.
