What rights do tenants have in regards to making alterations to their rental units?

In Missouri, tenants have the right to make certain alterations to their rental units, subject to the consent of the landlord. All alterations made must be in compliance with the terms of the lease agreement and any applicable laws or regulations. At the start of the tenancy, the landlord and tenant will each have different expectations regarding alterations. The landlord may place restrictions on what alterations may be made and may require written permission before doing so. On the other hand, tenants may have already made certain alterations or improvements before the tenancy and the landlord must recognize those alterations as valid. In general, tenants have the right to make non-structural alterations that do not alter the basic nature of the rental unit. Examples of these types of alterations include painting, installing wallpaper or floor coverings, hanging window treatments, and making minor repairs, such as replacing a door knob. The landlord may require that the tenant return the rental unit to its original condition, or, if the tenant chooses to keep the alteration in place, the landlord may require the tenant to pay for the cost of restoring the property to its original condition after the tenancy ends. If the tenant wishes to make a significant alteration to the property, such as erecting a fence or substantially altering the kitchen or bathroom, the tenant should ask the landlord for written permission and detailed instructions regarding the alteration. The tenant must follow the landlord’s instructions, as failure to do so may result in eviction proceedings if the landlord does not agree to the alterations.

Related FAQs

What are the legal obligations of a landlord when dealing with a tenant’s complaint?
What should a tenant do if their landlord fails to provide proper notice before entering their rental unit?
Are landlords responsible for any repairs to the rental property?
What should a tenant do if they are in dispute with a landlord?
What should a tenant do if they feel they have been discriminated against?
Are there any laws governing the use of tenant background checks?
What are the legal consequences of a landlord failing to make repairs or provide a habitable living environment?
Are there any laws governing the use of locks in rental properties?
Are there any laws governing the use of tenant's security deposits?
What are the laws governing the return of a security deposit after a tenant moves out?

What rights do tenants have in regards to making alterations to their rental units?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts