Rental properties in New Zealand present unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to window furnishings. Whether you’re a landlord looking to prepare a property for tenants or a renter hoping to improve your living space, understanding the particular considerations that apply to rental situations can help you make practical, appropriate decisions.
The Landlord’s Perspective
For property owners, window furnishings represent both a legal requirement and a practical investment. New Zealand’s Healthy Homes standards require that rental properties meet certain criteria for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, and draught stopping. While window furnishings aren’t explicitly mandated in all cases, they play a role in meeting these standards and contribute to tenant comfort and property appeal.
Durable, low-maintenance options tend to work well in rental properties. Window treatments that can withstand regular use, are easy to clean, and maintain their appearance over time represent better value for landlords who may not be refreshing furnishings between every tenancy.
Balancing Cost and Quality
Rental properties often require a pragmatic approach to window furnishings that balances initial cost with longevity and tenant appeal. Extremely cheap options may need replacing more frequently, while very high-end treatments may not align with the rental return on investment.
The key is finding the middle ground where window furnishings are presentable, functional, and durable enough to last through multiple tenancies without constant replacement. Roller blinds, vertical blinds, and simple curtain styles with quality hardware often hit this balance effectively.
Meeting Basic Functional Needs
At minimum, rental property window furnishings should provide adequate privacy and light control. Bedrooms particularly need window treatments that allow tenants to darken the room for sleep, while living areas benefit from options that can be adjusted throughout the day.
Bathrooms and other private spaces require window treatments that offer full privacy, especially in properties where windows face neighboring homes or public areas. Ground-floor properties and those on busy streets have heightened privacy requirements that should be addressed through appropriate window furnishing choices.
Easy Maintenance Considerations
Window treatments in rental properties should be straightforward for tenants to maintain. Options that can be easily dusted, wiped down, or occasionally washed tend to stay in better condition than those requiring specialized cleaning or frequent professional maintenance.
Roller blinds and vertical blinds are generally easy to keep clean with regular dusting or wiping. Simple curtains that can be machine washed offer tenants a practical way to maintain freshness without specialized knowledge or equipment.
Neutral and Versatile Styling
For rental properties, neutral color palettes and simple styles typically work best. Window furnishings in whites, creams, greys, or soft neutrals appeal to a broader range of tenants and work with various decorating preferences. This versatility means the same window treatments can remain appropriate through multiple tenancies with different tenant styles.
Simple, classic designs also tend to age better than trendy or highly specific styles that may look dated quickly. This longevity contributes to better value over time.
The Tenant’s Perspective
For renters, working with existing window furnishings is often necessary, but there are situations where making changes might be possible. Some landlords are open to tenants upgrading window treatments at their own cost, particularly if the existing options are minimal or the tenant plans a long-term tenancy.
If you’re considering modifications, always discuss plans with your landlord first and get any agreements in writing. Understanding whether you’ll need to return the property to its original state when you leave is important before investing in window treatment changes.
Temporary and Removable Options
Tenants who want to improve light control or privacy without permanent changes have several options. Tension rods that don’t require drilling, removable adhesive hooks, or curtains that can attach to existing hardware offer ways to enhance window treatments temporarily.
These solutions allow renters to improve their living space while maintaining the ability to remove additions when moving out, protecting their bond and meeting tenancy agreement requirements.
Safety Standards
Both landlords and tenants should be aware of window treatment safety requirements, particularly in properties where children will live. Cordless options or those with cord safety devices are increasingly standard and address serious safety concerns around blind cords.
Making Practical Choices
For both landlords and tenants, the key to window furnishing decisions in rental properties is understanding the specific context. Property type, tenant demographic, rental price point, and tenancy length all influence what makes sense. Clear communication between landlords and tenants about expectations and any potential changes helps ensure window furnishing choices work for everyone involved.
Thoughtful window treatment decisions contribute to rental properties that are comfortable, functional, and appealing while remaining practical for the realities of tenancy situations.
