How do you handle window treatments in rentals?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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How do you handle window treatments in rentals?

Scott Wang
Investor · Thorp, WI · Member since 2015 · 15 posts · 4 votes

Window treatments such as blinds and curtains.  Do you include them with the rental or do your tenants provide their own?

My experience so far has been to renovate-then-rent so I haven't included things like blinds and curtains yet because I figure tenants would want to choose their own anyway, but I'm curious what is the industry norm.

-Scott

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Matthew Olszak
Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y

Also I should add...in multifamily buildings, a tenant taping up newspapers, shower curtains, shirts, blankets, etc instead of blinds kills the curb appeal and definitely lowers rent for the building and area. The blinds are worth the low investment.

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  • Max T.
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    9y
    Cheap blinds cost less than $10. Don't let tenants muck up your window trim.
    2Reply
  • Bob B.
    Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    HD now has cordless mini blinds. I hate those cords.   They are cheap and when the tenant damages them they get charged for the replacement cost and labor.

    3Reply
  • Vern M.
    Property Manager · Bowie, MD · Member since 2017 · 120 posts · 67 votes
    9y

    I'm partial to the mini blinds. they're cheap enough so the tenant can buy their own and replace damaged ones before move out.

    1Reply
  • Rod HanksBusiness Member
    Insurance Agent · Dallas, TX · Member since 2013 · 743 posts · 462 votes
    9y
    Cheap mini blinds. Their kids will tear them up.
    Rod Hanks Insurance4.9155 Reviews
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    1Reply
  • Matthew Olszak
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Scott Wang I used to put nothing up. What I found out quickly is its a lot cheaper to replace blinds than it is to replace wood trim that's been butchered with a bunch of nail holes. Or worse, once I had the vinyl around the glass cracked by 2 big roofing nails pounded in to hold the plastic shower curtain as a blind. Of course I charged it back against the deposit but I'd rather not have these issues to begin with.

    I use verticals where appropriate because I find they stand up better and you can just replace 1 or 2 slats that might get damaged.

    1Reply
  • Matthew Olszak
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Also I should add...in multifamily buildings, a tenant taping up newspapers, shower curtains, shirts, blankets, etc instead of blinds kills the curb appeal and definitely lowers rent for the building and area. The blinds are worth the low investment.

    5Reply
  • Kerry Grimshaw
    Investor · Plainfield, CT · Member since 2017 · 18 posts · 20 votes
    9y

    I always put up cheap mini blinds ($4-5) at home depot, lowes, or job lot. I charge the tenant if they are broken. I hate seeing weird things over the windows and it looks terrible from outside. I agree with Matthew Olszak. They are worth every penny

    2Reply
  • Kelly N.
    Investor · SE, MI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 461 votes
    9y

    I usually use mini blinds- the $5 or less variety found at Home Depot/Lowes.  For larger windows, I look to see what is cheaper, and typically I can get a curtain rod and a couple of room darkening curtains cheaper than the larger/longer mini blinds.  The nice thing about those is you just chuck them in the wash between tenants.  If the blinds are dirty, a soak and quick scrub in the tub usually works, or another set of $5 blinds.

    1Reply
  • Deanna McCormick
    Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    I agree cheep mini blinds, and vertical blinds for wider windows, I found a nice narrow vertical blind at Menards that has a 2 1/2 inch slat that is perfect for just about all my windows, headrails cut to size and slats can be cut to what ever length you need and they only project 2 1/2 inches out so no big bulky 3 1/2 in slats.. 

    Your building will look better from the curb when window treatments match and if you buy the same brand to replace is easy you don't have to do brackets just pop in the blind or replace a few slats.

    No holes in walls 

    0Reply
  • Dick Stevens
    Rental Property Investor · Haverhill, MA · Member since 2017 · 290 posts · 185 votes
    9y

    Whatever you pick, use cordless so the tenants kids don't strangle themselves and then sue you.

    0Reply
  • Scott Wang
    OP
    Investor · Thorp, WI · Member since 2015 · 15 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    Thanks guys for all the great advice!  That's exactly what I was looking for.

    0Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    9y

    What ever you decide never allow tenants to install their own window coverings if it requires any tools. Not even a screw driver.

    0Reply
  • Shaun C.
    Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2015 · 257 posts · 230 votes
    9y

    I will echo the others decisions to put something up, but cheap mini blinds are garbage. Have you guys ever lived in a place with those? They break so easily and are in the trash in no time. If you are A/B/C+ you can afford to put in 2" faux white wood blinds for $40-$50/window. I will also say that if you have blinds with cords, to have them initial a clause in your lease that says you are not responsible for infant deaths that can occur. My dad owns the largest blind manufacturing company in Michigan and he was sued a number of years ago even though every blind he sells has a safety pamphlet and child safe cords.

    0Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    9y

    Doesn't matter what quality of blinds you install tenants will break them. If you install inexpensive blinds they are inexpensive to replace.

    1Reply
  • Shaun C.
    Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2015 · 257 posts · 230 votes
    9y

    I'm sorry but a $5 window treatment made in China is going to break a lot sooner than something more expensive made in America. Also, why would I care what they cost if I'm not the one paying to replace them? If nicer shades allow me to charge a little bit more money, I'm going to put in nicer stuff, and attract a nicer tenant too. But to each his own.

    1Reply
  • Linda S.
    Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Cheap blinds, definitely!   I agree with others, yes, they are cheap ($5) but they work and do the basic job, and they are cheap to replace if needed.    From my experience, if you don't, tenants will just put up drapes or towels over the windows, this way is better for everyone IMO.  

    0Reply
  • Karen S.
    Investor · Sewickley, PA · Member since 2017 · 59 posts · 32 votes
    9y

    Another cheap mini blind consumer here. and I have washed them off in the tub between tenants...it wasn't too big of a deal after 5 year tenancy. Thank you Dawn dish detergent for getting the job done

    We also have some masonry walls and so we do not allow nails or screws in the walls. To prevent this, we have installed single curtain rods over each window. They can dress it up with curtains over the blinds or not, their choice. 

    My favorite window treatment is none...for the windows with glass block in them.

    0Reply
  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Cheap mini blinds and simple curtain rods.  I'll frequently add inexpensive curtains I've purchased through ebay or at the dollar store.  These stores once had a buy out of sheer white 80 inch curtains with a light pattern on them for $1 each and I hit every Family Dollar I could find that had these.

    The use of curtain rods avoids the problem of a tenant standing on a wobbly chair "hanging" their curtains by pounding nails into the frames (or walls) around the window.

    Gail

    0Reply
  • Dawn P.
    Rental Property Investor · Sumter, SC · Member since 2015 · 334 posts · 531 votes
    9y

    I use the cheap faux-wood blinds from Lowe's. Not terribly expensive, and much nicer looking than someone's ratty Scooby Doo sheet tacked to my windows. If they break them, they buy me new ones.

    0Reply
  • Thomas M.
    Investor · Fort Wayne, IN · Member since 2016 · 48 posts · 13 votes
    9y

    Personally, I try to provide blinds to save the dozens of holes in my walls and trim from tenants installing and removing their own. If they want to jazz it up with a valance or something fancy, I will allow that. Like others have said, most blinds are available for under $10. If they get damaged or destroyed, it comes out of the tenant's deposit to replace at the end of the lease.

    0Reply
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