Renting an apartment and shelves?

Question

I'm currently renting an apartment and want to put up some small shelves. My lease doesn't say that I can't do it, but it does say I cannot alter the apartment in any drastic way or else the property is theirs. Do you think it will be okay? Obviously, I know that if I leave I will have to repair the holes.

Answer 1

You would normally have to ask the landlord and come to a suitable arrangement.

Answer 2

That question should be directed to your land lord they would best tell you what you can or can't do to the appartment.

Answer 3

Like hanging pictures, you can probably install the shelves.  However, beware that you will be liable for any damage you cause to the unit such as major drywall repair, texture and painting.

Shelves are not worth the hassle unless you plan on renting the unit for several years.  They usually require heavy-duty wall anchors or other attachments that can be very difficult to remove and leave huge holes.  Also, tenants often don't want to deal with the hassle of removing shelves during their move-out and expect the landlord to make the repairs for free or cheaply.  We charged a vacating tenant $400+ due to the time we were required to remove shelves, repair walls, and paint all the affected walls.  

BTW, if you install a shelf and leave it for your landlord to remove, please kindly leave instructions and any tools (i.e. IKEA wrenches) to remove the shelving.

Answer 4

As the landlord they might not care if you put up shelves.

Answer 5

Yes it is OK !! No one will know

Answer 6

What you paid for them doesn't matter. Technically you are breaking the lease. However, if it is limited to small nail holes you are willing to cover as "damages" when you leave it may not be much of a problem.

Answer 7

don't ask the landlord just do it...they don't want you to because they don't want to repair it but if it's not going to do alot of damage like the butterfly screws do because when you take them out they leave a huge hole...then do it. They can just patch it up

Answer 8

yea that should be fine as long as you know you would have to repair it . then you should be fine. plus if you ask your manager they might just say no anyway.

Answer 9

If the lease doesn't say anything about putting large holes in the wall, then you're technically okay. But it's probably best to ask the landlord first. If you don't want to risk them saying no and will put them up anyway, just remember that they may seem them if you ever need repairs or have a safety check.

If your landlord is reasonable, then I would ask them, explaining that you will fill the holes when you leave.

Answer 10

YOU are ok

period.

make your place a happy place.

unless you wanna cover every single

inch of wall with shelves.......chill and smile

Answer 11

Well since there is nothing in the lease that says you can't, then do it! As long as it's not going to damage the walls in any way. Make sure you can fasten the shelves directly into the studs though. Drastic to one person may not be drastic to another and in the majority of the cases with leasing is they don't want you to paint the walls, change the carpet, tear down walls...etc....those things are considered "drastic".