Recently, there have been cases where a tenant changes multiple things within the lease they are renting, from the paint on the walls, light bulbs, structures, and locks. In almost all leases, a tenant cannot change anything inside the premises they are renting without the landlord’s permission or supervision.
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Can the tenant change things inside the apartment?
You should always be aware that the most important thing is to have full knowledge of the lease you signed when you enter into your lease. If you do not know the laws of the lease, you can probably violate the lease without intending to do so.
The landlord will always ensure you know everything applied in the lease. Otherwise, many problems will occur. Now, the answer to changes in your rent is based on the limits you have put in the lease. But given that you’re not allowed to do that, it would be illegal for you to do that.
The lease says that I can change things in the apartment
When you have this situation in your lease, you don’t have to rush to change your apartment without reading the fine print in the lease. Because you must understand that the landlord must be aware of everything.
When you intend to make any changes that infringe on any damage or modification to the basic structure of the lease in which it was delivered to you, you must consult the landlord to make sure that there is no problem and that you come to an agreement.
If you do not notify your landlord of any changes you make to the base infrastructure, you may be required to evict him, or her depending on the condition, or have to pay damages for repair costs.
If you plan to change the apartment and fail to notify your landlord, you will have to pay repair costs and are an easy target for a lease violation lawsuit.
What changes should you give your landlord notice of?
As stated above, the greater the violation of the apartment structure and the greater the violation of the lease. The greater the burden of law will fall on your shoulders.
Painting the walls
This design method, it turns out, has a very mixed acceptance among landlords. Because of this, it is always best to consult the lease and the landlord to avoid conflicts. Some apartment owners have laws regarding the color the facility must use on their walls. Normally, they are uniform and pastel colors.
But if you want to change the color or make a design on your walls, you should consult the landlord. Some will not give you a problem because they will tell you that you still have to provide them with the apartment painted as it was. However, most will complain and will not allow you to do so because it violates the lease’s laws.
Put nails and screws or drill any holes in the walls
Making any holes in the building’s infrastructure can be a problem for you because these things are difficult to fix, and you will probably get a no for an answer.
Also, not all walls are made of the same material. Some are not prepared to support hanging weight, and if you make a hole to place a screw with a hanging function, the wall could fall and cause an accident.
Remodeling spaces
Any required modifications must be notified to the landlord. The tenant may not build within his lease.
Modifying the models inside the bathroom
It has become increasingly common for a tenant to want to change the shower or toilet, or sink. But the truth is that it would be impossible without the landlord’s consent.
Installing appliances that consume excessive electricity
In facilities where the landlord pays for utilities, the best option is to consult the landlord when adding a new electrical appliance that may use a lot of energy and skyrocket the cost of the bill.
Changing the locks
Changing the locks is one of the biggest violations of a lease because you deny the landlord access to your premises. You are showing him that you are hiding something you don’t want him to know.
In those cases where locks are changed without the landlord’s consent, and the landlord himself knows about it, an unsuccessful attempt to enter the area you are renting would be the source of a major conflict.
What legal action can the landlord take?
Depending on the type of action you commit without telling the landlord directly, it can be taken as a continuing violation of the lease. Reason enough to ask the police to give you an eviction order.
It will depend on what kind of lease violations you have committed and how often you have done it. If it was just a hole in the wall, that’s not enough reason for an eviction. But if you have knocked down a wall, to make more space. It would be an easy opportunity to file for your eviction because you endanger the safety of the premises and the other tenants.
Although, when it comes to changing locks, it can be a serious problem, causing your immediate eviction request and even a court session to prosecute the lease violation.
So, for any changes you wish to make within your lease, it is best to check in the lease to see if it is possible and always check with the landlord. You will save a few problems and have a good relationship with the landlord.
Writer and content creator interested in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Jobs and landlord issues. I have a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the Andrés Bello Catholic University, VE, and I also studied at Chatham University, USA. In this blog I write and collect information of interest around agreements, property and mortgage.