Tenants: Making minor changes? Stop and check first

From time to time, you may want to make small updates to your rental property to make it feel more like home — perhaps adding a shelf, mounting a TV, or putting up safety latches. These are known as minor changes.

A minor change is any fixture, renovation, alteration, or addition that:

• poses a low risk of damage to the property
• can be easily reversed at the end of the tenancy
• doesn’t affect health or safety, the structure, or the character of the home
• doesn’t need building consent or breach any regulations

Examples can include:

• securing furniture for child or earthquake safety
• installing shelves, baby gates, or picture hooks
• fitting curtains or child-safe latches
• mounting a TV or wall bracket

Before making any change, you must make a written request to your property manager and wait for approval. Your Harcourts property manager can provide a simple request form to make this easy and ensure that you remain compliant with Section 42B of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Before you move out, you’ll need to return the property to substantially the same condition it was in before the change, unless your landlord agrees otherwise. 

This may include removing fixtures or repairing small holes.  

Health & safety – especially in older homes

This isn’t just about meeting tenancy law requirements; it’s also important for your health and safety. If your home was built or substantially renovated before the year 2000, there’s a chance some materials may contain asbestos — for example, in textured ceilings, wall linings, vinyl flooring, soffits, or eaves. 

Asbestos is safe when left undisturbed, but drilling, sanding, or cutting these areas can release fibres that are harmful if inhaled. For this reason, it’s essential that no one carries out drilling or installation work without checking first.

Always contact your property manager before doing anything that involves walls, ceilings, or floors. They can confirm whether the area has been checked or tested and guide you on the next steps.

By talking to your property manager before you start, you can avoid unnecessary costs or risk, and keep your home safe for everyone.