Renting: stick on, or ask to drill?
Ask your landlord first either way, and get the answer in writing. Stick-on products come off by their maker's own steps; holes from drilling stay.
A stick-on fix
- Where it goes
- Only on a surface its maker names, within the maker's own figure.
- What it needs
- Your landlord's agreement if it is meant to stay. Shelter says a landlord in England could keep some deposit money if you
redecorate or make significant changes without your landlord's consent
. - How it comes down
- By the maker's own steps, which differ. tesa says its Smooz towel rod is
Removable without a trace and reusable with adapter BK20-2
, but of its Powerbond mirror tape:Please note that these tapes are meant to be a permanent solution and are therefore not removable without leaving residues.
- Which maker's figure applies
- The product maker's own figure, for its own set-up, on the surfaces it names. Will it hold? compares your item with it exactly.
Sources: Shelter England, Cleaning, gardening or decorating (deposit deductions, last updated 6 May 2024). Checked ; tesa, tesa Smooz towel rod, Product Information BNR 40320, en-GB, as of 25/02/25. Checked ; tesa, tesa Powerbond MIRROR, product page and FAQs. Checked .
Asking to drill
- Where it goes
- Into the wall, once your landlord agrees. For England, Shelter says:
Do not make improvements without your landlord's permission.
Get your landlord's agreement in writing before you start.
- What it needs
- Your landlord's agreement in writing, a fixing for your wall, and a check for cables and pipes first.
- How it comes down
- The fixing comes out and the hole stays. Shelter lists
holes in walls or doors
among the things a deposit can be charged for in England. Shelter's advice:Put the property back how it was when you moved in to avoid deposit deductions.
- Which maker's figure applies
- The item maker's own rating, and fischer's recommended load for one fixing in your wall, from What's my wall?.
Sources: Shelter England, Making improvements to your rented home (last updated 1 May 2026). Checked ; Shelter England, Damage and missing items (deposit deductions, last updated 6 May 2024). Checked ; Shelter England, Cleaning, gardening or decorating (deposit deductions, last updated 6 May 2024). Checked .
What helps at the end of a tenancy?
Photos from the day you move in. Shelter says If you have photos or videos from when you moved in, they could show what the property looked like and if there have been changes.
The schemes prefer digital photos because they can check the dates and they are often clearer.
Source: Shelter England, Evidence for a deposit dispute (last updated 1 May 2026). Checked .
Is it the same in Wales and Scotland?
No. In Wales, under the default terms of a standard occupation contract, The contract-holder must not make any alteration to the dwelling without the consent of the landlord.
In Scotland, a new right is not in force yet: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 gives private tenants greater rights to personalise and decorate their home, after living there for 6 months. A date for this change coming into force has not been set yet. Further secondary legislation is required.
Sources: legislation.gov.uk, Renting Homes (Supplementary Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2022, regulation 29. Checked ; Scottish Government, Private renting: tenant rights and protections. Checked .