Just because you are renting does not mean you should have to put up with a drab kitchen. Living in a rental property sometimes may feel like a drag, simply because you keep telling yourself there is nothing you can do to change your space and update it. In fact, there are several non-permanent ways you can give your rental/home a bit of a lift. Let these rental kitchen ideas inspire you to make your rental feel like home.

1. Add plants

You can grow herbs and flowers, or simply buy a few little succulents in pots to dot around your kitchen bench. Plants will add personality and serenity to your kitchen. The best thing about investing in plants when you are a renter is that you can take them with you to spruce up your next kitchen.

2. Update your kettle, toaster, and appliances

Use your appliances to make a statement, and theme together for a sophisticated touch. Purchase some gorgeous tea towels or a few beautiful tea canisters to sit on your benchtop. Invest in a beautiful tea kettle and toaster set that will make you happy every time you make yourself a cuppa and some toast. Why stop with just your kitchen? Adding a few accessories can work wonders in your bathroom, too.

3. Add some art to the walls

Artwork can be overlooked in kitchens, yet it’s one of the best ways to decorate a rental on a budget. Select artwork that complements your kitchen – it could even be a special piece of art made by your kids. When selecting your art, consider the tones that exist in the room already and find a piece that will highlight the elements you like. Having a lovely bright jewel-toned kettle or toaster and choosing art with similar tones you will find these elements become the focal point.

4. Refurbish second-hand furniture to fit

A few bar stools or colourful chairs will brighten up a kitchen. They do not even have to match. Do not be afraid to embrace quirky furniture to bring some personality to the space. Hit the op shops and pick any chairs you like; you may even paint them bright colours when you get home. Do not forget to use a paint sealer and be sure to let them dry properly before use. You can also select old sets of drawers and shelves to give your kitchen a whole new look without making any permanent changes.

5. Display your (prettier) utensils and save on storage

If your rental kitchen is small (as so many of them are), it is unlikely that you will have enough storage for all your kitchen essentials. This is the perfect chance to get creative with your storage solutions. You can store large cooking utensils like spatulas and whisks in a large vase on your kitchen bench top. Put your more beloved items on display and the kitchen will feel more like you every day. If you are lacking cupboard space, mugs and piles of mismatched plates will look great on an open shelf. Sometimes organised chaos is the best solution to a storage crisis.

6. Swap out any changeable elements

It might sound obvious, but it is often forgotten – some items can be removed and stored safely until you move out. Curtains? No worries, just take them down, store them carefully and replace with something more to your taste. Curtains can be easily removed or swapped to make you feel more at home.

7. Give it a spring clean

Any room will look better once it has been thoroughly cleaned. It will make such a huge difference if you give your tired kitchen a thorough scrub. Get into all the corners with a toothbrush, give the oven a really good clean and do a good job on the mopping and dusting. Giving an average kitchen or any part of your home a thorough cleaning gives you an excellent base for decorating and organising.

8. Get real with your landlord (politely)

Please ensure you keep in mind these discussions can take time and you will have to go through your landlord/managing agent to seek their approval before any major work is carried out at the property. You might be restricted by strict rules and you might have to pay for it yourself… but the result might mean you end up with a much nicer kitchen/home.

All landlords just want to make sure their investment is looked after at the end of the day.

Is that tiny cupboard in your rental starting to drive you batty? Are you sick of struggling to close its door, while a pile of clothes and miscellaneous items teases it open from below? 

If you have answered yes to one of those questions, then chances are your rental lacks storage. Here are a few options you may want to consider.

1. Use stacks of boxes

A simple stack of matching boxes in the corner of a room can be a very elegant and modern solution to your storage problem. You can use plastic, cardboard, wicker, or metal – whatever material suits your aesthetic and your budget. Even simple, inexpensive cardboard file boxes can look fantastic stacked haphazardly in the corner of a bedroom or office.

2. Consider freestanding wardrobes

If it looks like you are going to be renting for the foreseeable future, it might be a good idea to purchase a freestanding wardrobe. It will give you a place to hang your clothes and can double as a pantry or television cabinet if the next house you move into has decent cupboard space

3. Embrace an open pantry

There is no need to despair if your new kitchen does not have a pantry, as a bookshelf makes for an excellent alternative. You can keep all your dry cooking supplies neatly in jars, and arrange plates and cups in chaotic stacks, to add rustic charm. Magnetic strips for knives and hanging hooks for pots and pans are two more ways to reduce clutter in the kitchen.

4. Utilise buckets and tubs

These are particularly useful if you have children, as you can store toys, clothing, towels, beauty products, cleaning products, bedding, and sports equipment in them. If you purchase tubs with lids, you can stack them neatly in a designated area.

 5. Use hooks to hang items

Semi-permanent hooks are a must-have for apartments with scarce storage. Over-the-door hooks are the best option, as they are not secured with an adhesive, and you can hang coats, dressing gowns and storage organisers from them.

 6. Use boxes stacked into shelves for storage

Stacking metal, wooden, or plastic boxes on their sides is an excellent way to make a temporary shelf. It is a good idea to get boxes with lids if you move frequently, as you can just pop the lid on and move your belongings without having to pack anything. Portable shelving units are also great, as they can serve as bookshelves, shoe racks, or a spot for trinkets.

 7. Use trays and suitcases as storage

Trays will help you make use of any additional space you have in the house. Big plastic trays on wheels are fantastic for extra under-the-bed storage; smaller trays, for organising small surface areas such as dressing tables and desks. Suitcases and large bags are also great for storing items you do not need to access every day.

 8. Consider a freestanding coat rack

Sleek modern coat racks take up little room in your home and will provide you with a place to keep coats, sports bags, scarves, and handbags, preventing them from finding a home on your limited floor space.

9. Create bookshelves from inexpensive materials

Buy some inexpensive planks of wood from a hardware store and use stacks of your books to prop them up to make a shelf. It is also an excellent space saver, as you are using an item that needs to be stored to help store other items. It is also perfect for people with large libraries.

10. Reuse old trunks and chests

Trunks and chests are brilliant for storing extra bedding, and if you purchase one that has a flat top, it can also double as a coffee table. This is another storage solution that is excellent for frequent movers. You can just pick up the trunk and leave; there is no need to pack.

Our office takes property management seriously! Please call our office today as we are more than willing to help you with all your property management needs. 07 5510 9100 or 0437 850 135

The Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA) is urging Queensland tenants to remain vigilant and to be alert when searching for their next rental property following increased reported activity in rental bond scams during COVID-19. 

Common scams can include online classified ads or social media posts from people pretending to be real property managers or owners that mislead tenants into paying deposits or bonds for rental properties that are sometimes fake or unavailable addresses. These unfortunate situations leave prospective tenants in the challenging position of trying to recover their losses which can be a long and drawn out process.

 Read on to see our top tips to help tenants safeguard their bond and rental property search.

 Your Rental Bond Rights and Obligations 

 A rental bond is a security deposit paid by the tenant at the start of the tenancy and refunded at the end of the tenancy, providing there is no money owed or damages to the rental property. Typically, bond money is paid before keys to the rental property are provided by the property manager/owner. 

 A bond should only be taken after the prospective tenant is given a copy of the proposed tenancy agreement. Where possible, the prospective tenants should inspect the rental property in-person and understand all terms and conditions in the proposed tenancy agreement before signing or paying any money. 

 Tenants can lodge their bond quickly, easily and securely online using the RTA’s Bond Lodgement Web Service. If the property manager/owner takes a bond, they must give the tenant a receipt and lodge it with the RTA within 10 days for safekeeping during the tenancy. It is an offence not to do so. 

 Top Tips to Safeguard Your Rental Property Search 

 Understand your tenancy rights and responsibilities before you rent. 

• Research your rental property online. This could include looking for images or information of the rental property and identifying if the details match. 

• Check that the person and the company listing the ad is real. If they said they are from an agency, look for more information such as the office number or location, check for other online listings, and explore their website and online profiles to ensure they are consistent and professional.

• Be cautious if the rental price seems lower than what would be a reasonable market rent for that type of property and/or location. 

• Where possible, inspect the property in person and do not pay a bond until you have received a copy of the proposed tenancy agreement. 

• Pay your bond securely online using RTA Web Services, or ensure you receive a receipt from the property owner/manager for any money paid (bond, rent etc.). 

• If you have been personally affected by a scam, you can make an official complaint to the Office of Fair Trading and/or your local police station. 

We hope these helpful tips give you a better understanding as your rights and obligations as a tenant.

Our office takes property management seriously!

Please call our office today as we are more than willing to help you with all your property management needs. 07 5510 9100 or 0437 850 135

The process starts from when the prospective tenant first makes contact with our office, views the property and this continues right up to the signing of the lease and all the other relevant documentation in relation to the tenancy (if they are successful).

 When completing the tenancy application form please do not rush it and make sure you complete every section of the document, if you do not complete the required application and submit all the required documents with the application this holds up your application from being processed.

 Not completing the application process also impairs our ability to properly carry out the required due diligence and therefore your application can fall further down the list while we wait on you to submit the missing details and documents.

 Please keep in mind… that most property managers review and start processing the applications that are completed correctly.

 We Suggest You Follow the Below Tips:

 1.      Fully complete your tenancy application form.

2.      Have your supporting documents such as ID, proof of income etc clearly scanned and emailed.

3.      If you are unsure about something contact the managing agent to clarify things prior to sending your application through.

 We totally understand that applying for a rental property can be stressful and time consuming, but you can save a lot of time by making sure your tenancy application is completed correctly and properly.

 One of the biggest concerns for a landlord is having the right tenant to rent their investment property. Carrying out the due diligence on a tenant before they move into the property is vital and requires proactive and a systematic approach.

 We can also say with 100% certainty that we would not submit an incomplete tenancy application to the owners/landlords for the sake of getting a property rented.

 Our office takes property management seriously!

Please call our office today as we are more than willing to help you with all your property management needs. 07 5510 9100 or 0437 850 135