What Tenants Can Change When Renting

The tenant’s position

Renters often hold back on sustainable changes because they do not own the building. Landlords decide about insulation, boilers, windows and often appliances, while tenants pay the energy bills and live with draughts or damp. This split of cost and benefit is sometimes called the landlord-tenant problem. Still, there is a good deal that can be done within the rules of a tenancy, and a few sensible ways to ask for the rest.

Tenancy rights and rules differ between countries and between regions, so check your agreement and local tenant guidance before making any change. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Changes that usually need no permission

Anything that leaves the property unchanged and moves with you is generally safe. Reading your tenancy agreement first is still wise, since some restrict even minor alterations.

Everyday energy use

• Switch to efficient bulbs where you pay for the lighting and take them with you when you move. See LED lighting for how to choose.
• Cut standby power with switchable plug strips, and turn equipment fully off when it is not in use.
• Use the heating controls you have sensibly, keeping rooms at a comfortable but not excessive temperature. Check how heating zones and timers work if your system has them.
• Take regular energy meter readings so bills are based on actual use, not estimates.
• Compare suppliers and tariffs if you pay the energy bills directly. Be sceptical of vague renewable electricity claims and read what green tariffs really offer.

Keeping heat in

• Use thick curtains, lined blinds or thermal curtains, and close them at dusk in winter. Window insulation can help without touching the frame.
• Fit removable draught excluders under doors. Self-adhesive strips and temporary secondary glazing film are often removable, but check that they will not damage paint or frames, and ask if unsure.
• Place furniture away from radiators, and use rugs on bare floors.

Damp and air

• Ventilate when cooking, showering and drying clothes, and use extractor fans if provided. Dry laundry in a well-ventilated room or outside where possible. Condensation control is worth knowing about, as mould is both unpleasant and unhealthy.
• Houseplants can brighten a room, though their effect on indoor air quality is modest, so do not rely on them to fix damp or poor ventilation.

Water

• Take shorter showers and report leaks promptly. If you pay for water, a few simple habits can reduce your household water use.
• Collect water in a butt only if you have an outdoor space and permission to install one.

Food, waste and stuff

• Start a worm bin or use a council food-waste collection if one is available. A compost bin may be possible if you have a garden and permission.
• Buy secondhand furniture and take it with you, use refill stores and avoid short-lived decor.
• Grow herbs and salad in pots on a windowsill or balcony.

Getting around

• Walk, cycle or use public transport when practical, and consider a car club instead of owning a car.

Changes that might need permission

Some changes are reasonable but should be agreed in writing first.

• Painting walls, especially in a colour you may need to repaint at the end.
• Fixing shelves, hooks or curtain rails.
• Installing a smart thermostat or smart meter; some landlords agree if you restore the original on leaving.
• Adding window film or secondary glazing that is not easily removable.
• Planting in the garden, adding a water butt or building a compost heap.
• Changing an appliance supplied by the landlord.

Keep a copy of any agreement, ideally in an email or a signed note.

Asking a landlord for improvements

Larger improvements such as insulation, a more efficient boiler, double glazing and efficient appliances are usually the landlord’s decision, but a reasonable request often gets a hearing. A few approaches may help.

1. Be specific. Say exactly what the problem is, such as cold bedrooms, a draughty door, mould on a wall or an old appliance that keeps failing. Photographs and dates help.
2. Put it in writing. Email creates a record and gives the landlord time to respond.
3. Explain the benefit to them. A better-insulated, drier home protects the property, can be easier to let and may reduce repairs. Some landlords are also affected by minimum energy efficiency rules, which differ by country. Ask your local council or tenant organisation what applies where you live, and look up the property’s energy rating if one is published.
4. Ask about schemes. Grants and funded energy-saving work are sometimes available for rented homes, and may involve both parties. Availability varies.
5. Offer a trade-off. In some cases, a longer tenancy or sharing the cost of a small item is a fair deal. Do not feel obliged to pay for work that is the landlord’s responsibility.
6. Know your rights on repairs. Damp, unsafe heating and serious disrepair are often legal obligations for landlords, not optional extras. Local council housing teams and tenant advice services can explain your options.

If a landlord refuses, it is not a personal failure. You can still make the changes within your control and revisit the subject at renewal time.

Working with others

Tenants’ associations, housing co-ops and neighbours in a block can ask for improvements together. A group request is harder to ignore than one voice, and shared knowledge of grants and rights helps. This is where collective action matters most for renters.

When you move

Take reusable items with you, such as bulbs, curtains, plugs and draught excluders. When choosing your next home, ask about the energy rating, the heating system, insulation and typical bills, since these often affect cost and comfort more than the rent figure suggests.