Tenants want to hang own curtain rods

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Tenants want to hang own curtain rods

Paul Z.
Member since 2020 · 65 posts · 13 votes

Hi everyone.

The drywalls in a vacant house were fixed and re-painted. I offered no-drilling curtain rods to the new tenants. They wanted to install their own double-rod ones, and doubted if mine would hold blackout curtains. They will probably remove their rods on move-out and leave holes in the walls. Any advice on this situation? Insist on using my rods? Ask them to leave their rods in place on move-out? Hold them responsible to repair the holes?

Cheers,

Paul

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
4y

Its just some drywall mud and touchup paint to fix. I wouldn't sweat it.

I try and make my tenants happy so they stay a long time. 

You could offer to pay for half the costs of the rods with the condition that they leave them when they leave.

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    4y

    Its just some drywall mud and touchup paint to fix. I wouldn't sweat it.

    I try and make my tenants happy so they stay a long time. 

    You could offer to pay for half the costs of the rods with the condition that they leave them when they leave.

    3Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    I'd let them do it...bigger fish to fry.

    1Reply
  • Matt Devincenzo
    Investor · Clairemont, CA · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    I don't worry about these kinds of what I consider minor damages. I'm always going to have to go through and fill some nail holes etc, so as long as it isn't a major hole I'll just take care of it at the same time. 

    0Reply
  • Paul Z.
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 65 posts · 13 votes
    4y

    Thanks for the advice, everyone!

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Savannah, GA · Member since 2014 · 298 posts · 67 votes
    4y

    My new tenants asked if they could install a tv on the wall and I said "Sure, as long as you either leave the tv or repair / paint the wall when you move out."  

    1Reply
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    4y

    I like John's solution though you should have paint leftover for touch ups and hanging the rods shouldn't create big holes.

    0Reply
  • Peter MckernanBusiness Member
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Paul Z. this would be a quick and easy fix after they move out for either you or a handyman (I would go handyman). If you are charging a good price for rent too, this would not be something I would even have issues with due to the good income in rent. These are things that incentives people to stay for years not just 12 months, it's the little things that make the tenants happy I have come to realize.

    I have a tenant, she pays on time all the time, fixes the garden, makes the landscape nice, refinished the hardwood floors in the property, and the other day she asked if we could get the chimney swept. Of course!!

    The McKernan Group4.957 Reviews
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  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    @Paul Z. if you allow it specify they must put the curtain rods in the wall and may not put them in the woodwork!      I have natural finish period woodwork in some apartments with carved details in the corners, guess where my tenant thought they should put the curtain rods...

    It is alot easier to fix plaster / sheetrock and you will have to do it anyway so I would be okay with it. much of bigger pain to fix wood.

    0Reply
  • Franklin Romine
    Visalia-Fresno, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 863 votes
    4y

    I would let them hang them.  It’s really the least of our problems being a landlord.

    0Reply
  • Andrew B.
    Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    I would pay for the curtain rods and install them myself.

    When I was a renter i asked my landlord if i could install blinds. He said ok. I bought the wrong size and drilled them directly into the trim. I doubt he was happy when he noticed. I try to avoid letting tenants do things which may cause damage when done improperly. 

    1Reply
  • Chris Ichter
    Lancaster, PA · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    @Paul Zhang anytime a tenant wants to “add” something to the house I put it in the lease that that item stays. I have had tenants add blinds, curtains and even a brand new gas stove. If they don’t like that option they can use what is provided.

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y

    I install blinds in every rental. Quality depends on the quality of the home. Most tenants are more concerned with privacy then they are with pretty curtains, so I rarely have to deal with repairs for something they've installed.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
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