Want to customize your rental without losing your security deposit? After five years and four rentals—both apartments and houses—I’ve figured out how to make bold DIY upgrades without leaving a trace. I nailed, drilled, painted, peeled, and still got my full deposit back every single time. Here’s how you can make renter-safe home upgrades too.
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Step 1: Do a Full Walkthrough (With Video)
The first thing you should do when moving into a new rental is film a detailed walkthrough of the space. Capture every corner, scratch, and stain. This footage will protect you if there’s any dispute about damage later on, and in my case, it’s helped more than once.
Step 2: Peel-and-Stick ≠Renter-Friendly
Say it with me: “Peel and stick does not mean renter-friendly.”
Peel-and-stick wallpaper or tiles may seem harmless, but they can still rip off drywall or paint if you’re not careful. If you do use them, I strongly recommend putting a barrier underneath to protect the walls such as poster board or a vapor barrier on the floor.
Want to go bold? Go for it—just prep smart.
Step 3: Nail It (Literally)
Command strips might seem like the safer option, but honestly? They’ve done more damage to my walls than nails ever have. A small nail hole is easy to patch with a dab of spackle and paint. I always use this wall repair kit, it’s a lifesaver for move-out day.
Step 4: Patch Before You Dash
I know some folks believe it’s the landlord’s job to patch and repaint after you move out. But trust me: patch your holes and touch up the paint. Especially if you’ve made a lot of upgrades or hung a gallery wall, it makes a massive difference.
Step 5: Don’t Assume They’ll Like It
Even if you’ve made a gorgeous upgrade, most landlords want their property returned to its original state. Unless your lease says otherwise, don’t bank on them keeping your cool customizations. Remove them before moving out, or risk getting charged.
Step 6: Leave Time to Clean Like You Mean It
If you can, build in some overlap between moving out of your rental and into your new place. You’ll need time to clean, a lot more than you think. I budget two hours per room. Yes, that’s extra. Yes, it’s worth it.
Don’t be the person who moves all day and then tries to deep-clean at midnight. You will hate yourself.
Step 7: Document Your Exit
Before handing back the keys, do another video walkthrough showing the final condition of every room. I once had a landlord reach out months later because the new tenants trashed the place. That video? Saved the day.
Final Thoughts
Customizing your rental doesn’t mean risking your security deposit. With a little planning—and a bit of spackle, you can have the best of both worlds.
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