Seven in ten landlords are now open to tenants personalising their homes, while a third of tenants get involved in decoration plans, and one in five help choose tradespeople.
Research by OSB Group found that personalising spaces – through decoration or minor changes – without fear of reprisal, is a relatively easy and inexpensive way for landlords to satisfy tenants’ need for control and ownership.
The Independent Landlord Suzanne Smith says there have been numerous occasions when a tenant has wanted to paint a room, and they have agreed a colour together.
“Other examples are if taps need changing, I’d ask the tenant for their preferred choice or if they wanted to do something different with the garden,” she explains.
“I’m always open to requests and I haven’t refused anything reasonable. It’s important that my tenants feel settled enough to put roots down in the community and that they feel that the property is like ‘home’ to them.”
OSB Group’s Landlord Leaders survey also reveals that while landlords are becoming more open to tenant personalisation, 48% ask tenants to cover decoration costs.
Jon Hall (pictured), group managing director mortgages & savings, says this shift marks a new era of cooperation, with landlords recognising that offering tenants autonomy leads to stronger tenant-property connections and longer tenures.
He adds: “The trend towards allowing tenants more freedom in decorating their homes represents a positive development for the private rented sector. It demonstrates landlords’ adaptability to evolving tenant expectations and promotes longer-term, more stable tenancies.”
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