Editor’s Note: This is a guest post, written by Abby Sanders from Stone Interiors.
As a renter, you probably don’t want to waste your time (or your landlord’s) with minor aesthetic blemishes. But there are some kitchen issues that do require attention, as they could signal deeper problems behind the scenes, or even jeopardize your own health and safety.
Here are 4 signs you should give your landlord a ring and find out if they can consider an overhaul of your kitchen.
Your countertops are cracked or stained.
If you notice large cracks or stains in your countertops that just won’t come out, it’s important to notify your landlord and find out if they’re open to getting them repaired or replaced. A crack poses an issue for obvious reasons since it could affect the integrity of the entire countertop, and also makes it hard to clean and sanitize. And if a stubborn discoloration is bothering you, keep in mind that certain stones and materials are susceptible to staining, so it’s possible that it’s a permanent imperfection and simply won’t come out with any amount of scrubbing.
Countertops are often one of the first major upgrades that landlords are willing to invest in, since they update the entire look of the kitchen, and also increase the value of the home. Many stone fabricators, like Stone Interiors, offer complimentary site visits to see if the countertops need to be replaced or repaired. So don’t spend any more time looking at that same stain if you don’t have to!
Cabinets are falling apart.
Cabinets that are old and unstable could pose a serious safety hazard as well as an eyesore. After all, what else is supporting your heavy countertops and islands?
Be sure to take clear photos of the damaged areas and let your landlord know about it ASAP. While cabinets aren’t easy to replace, an upgrade is well worth it if they pose a liability.
Major leaks and mold.
Persistent leaks can only be patched up for so long. If you’ve been putting temporary fixes in place to mitigate damage from a leak, you may want to suggest a more long-term solution from your landlord. Even a relatively small leak could be causing lots of damage behind the scenes that will only get progressively more costly, and could even pose a health risk due to mold.
Extreme fire or smoke damage.
If you had a fire in or near the kitchen that caused serious noticeable damage, you probably deserve an upgrade in the near future. High eat could have degraded the materials in your kitchen beyond the visible damage, so it’s important that you ensure the space has been assessed and determined to be safe and stable.
If you suspect that there was a fire or other major event in the space before you moved in, have an honest conversation with your landlord. Even if it doesn’t require immediate repairs, you deserve to know if there have been any major issues in the history of your home.
For many, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. And landlords are well aware that investing in their kitchen is almost guaranteed to raise the value of their home or apartment. So use this to your advantage. If you notice any of these issues in your own kitchen, some gentle encouragement to speed up that next kitchen upgrade might go a long way.
Contenu associé
