Taking care of your rental is the secret to living like royalty in your own castle, even if that castle is technically a two-bed flat.
With a little effort, you can keep your home comfortable, your landlord impressed, and your weekends blissfully free from cleaning marathons. And honestly, there’s nothing more satisfying than being the tenant who has it all together.
Want to keep your bond intact and feel smug every time you walk through the door? Keep reading.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
If you want to avoid big repairs, the best thing you can do is set a routine. Most problems start small, so the sooner you deal with them, the less they will cost you later.
Start with the easy chores. Clean the gutters before they turn into overflowing messes, swap the air filters early so your heater keeps running smoothly, and test the smoke alarms. These jobs don’t take long, but they will save you plenty of headaches down the track.
It also helps to think season by season. In spring, check the roof for leaks and clear out any leftover debris.
Summer, on the other hand, is the perfect time to keep an eye out for mould and make sure windows and doors are sealing properly. And in winter, insulate the pipes and block draughts to stay warm without racking up big bills.
If you’re the forgetful type, make it simple for yourself by setting reminders on your phone or sticking a note on the fridge.
This way, you can show your landlord that you care about the place, which is going to make life easier when it’s time to talk about repairs or collect your bond.
Document Wear and Tear
When you first move in, it’s tempting to dump your boxes, collapse on the couch, and ignore the scuffed paint or water stains hiding in the corners.
But if you don’t record them now, they may come back to haunt you when it’s time to move out.
So, grab your phone and take clear photos of anything that looks worn, cracked, or dodgy. Make a quick note to go with them—nothing fancy, just enough to show what was there before you set foot in the place.
Those records will protect you from surprise charges later, because you’ll be able to prove that the property looked that way from day one.
Keep updating your records as you go. If something new pops up, add it to your file. It will only take a few minutes, but it will save you from messy disputes and give you peace of mind when that bond conversation rolls around.
Get in Touch with Your Landlord
When something in your rental starts acting up, don’t sit on it. A dripping tap or a flickering light might seem harmless now, but if you flag it early, it will be sorted before it turns into a bigger repair.
We recommend putting things in writing whenever you can. A quick message or email will create a record you can point back to if needed. Think of it as your insurance against forgetfulness or crossed wires, as it will back you up if there’s ever a disagreement.
In any case, keep your updates simple and polite. If you let your landlord know what you’ve spotted, they will be more likely to act quickly.
Over time, that steady communication will build trust, and you will find repairs are handled with less fuss. It’s a lot better than leaving things unsaid and hoping for the best.
Clean as You Go
Most costly repairs start as simple messes, which is why keeping things clean is your first line of defence. It might feel simple, but staying on top of it will stop mould from creeping in, pests from settling down, and smells from sticking around.
Focus first on the damp spots. Bathrooms and kitchens will always test you, so wipe down benches and tiles, dry off surfaces, and give grout and shower curtains a regular scrub.
When it comes to pest control, keep your food containers sealed and deal with spills straightaway to cut off most of the reasons bugs show up.
Natural cleaners are worth using, too, since they’ll keep everything fresh without leaving your place smelling like bleach for days.
Finally, if your lease is wrapping up soon, you can call in a company that handles end-of-lease and move-in cleaning. Sure, it’ll cost you a bit, but it’ll save you from hours of scrubbing and give you a much better shot at getting that bond back.
DIY Minor Repairs
You don’t always need to call in the cavalry or fork out half a week’s rent when something goes wrong at home.
A dripping tap that keeps you awake, a door that squeals like a rusty trombone, or a draught that sneaks under the window are all small jobs you can sort out yourself. Here’s what you need to do:
Stock Your Toolbox
Start by getting the basics: a screwdriver, hammer, adjustable wrench, pliers, and a utility knife. For sealing, you can also toss in a caulking gun.
With those few tools, you’ll be able to tighten loose handles, silence squeaky hinges, and seal sneaky gaps around your windows, without breaking a sweat.
Use Online Sources
Online tutorials are your best bet here. Think of them like recipe videos, but instead of ending up with banana bread, you’ll end up with a tap that doesn’t drip.
Just don’t get discouraged if you don’t nail it right away. The first time might take you a bit longer, but you’ll be quicker as you get the hang of it.
Get Help When Needed
Not everything is a DIY job, and that’s okay. If it involves electricity, gas, or anything that looks like it could turn your loungeroom into a swimming pool or cause injuries, it’s time to pick up the phone.
Save your energy for the fixes you can handle, and leave the big ones to the pros.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, looking after your rental isn’t about ticking boxes for your landlord. It’s about making the place feel like home while keeping your bond safe and sound.
And honestly, who doesn’t want fewer surprise repairs eating into their weekend? So, put the effort in now, and you’ll get to kick back later with a smug little grin.
