A renter’s rant (with solutions we wish existed)
If you’ve ever rented in New Zealand, you’ve probably heard it all before:
“No screws.”
“No paint.”
“No command hooks.”
“No changes — even if they’re upgrades.”
It’s exhausting. You’re expected to live in a cold, blank box — but somehow still treat it like a home. Meanwhile, in other countries, renters are trusted to do more, personalise more, and even improve the space (as long as they return it to how they found it).
So… why not here?
🇩🇪 Germany: Rent Like a Grown-Up
- Leases are often 5–10 years, not 6 months
- Renters are allowed to paint, install shelving, even renovate kitchens
- The catch? They’re expected to revert everything when they move out
This gives people more autonomy and protects landlords. Win-win.
🇯🇵 Japan: Install What You Want — Then Remove It
In Japan, the norm is:
- You rent an empty apartment (like… truly empty — no fridge, oven, or even light fixtures)
- You install what you want
- You return it to original condition before leaving
Even renters mount shelves and cabinets — as long as they patch and clean later.
🇰🇷 South Korea: Bring the Home With You
Korean renters often:
- Pay a large deposit (key money)
- Install appliances or renovate bathrooms themselves
- Pack it all up and move it with them at the end
The idea is: you invest in your comfort, and the landlord provides the shell.
🏠 Meanwhile in NZ…
- Want to hang curtains? Nope.
- Want to install a dishwasher? Not unless you’re lucky.
- Want to swap a broken light fitting? That’s a maintenance request and maybe a 3-week wait.
Even temporary improvements like tension rods or non-drill furniture can be frowned on — just in case they leave “marks.”
💡 What Could Change?
NZ isn’t there yet — but it could be. Here’s what would help:
- Stronger tenancy laws that encourage longer leases and co-investment
- More reversible product options available locally
- A cultural shift toward treating rentals like homes, not temporary stopovers
And most importantly:
Letting renters make reasonable changes — especially if they leave the place better than they found it.
✍️ Final Thought
No one’s asking to install a pool or knock down walls. But if I want to put up curtains that actually block cold wind, or add a shelf in my mouldy bathroom… why is that such a big deal?
We don’t need special treatment. We just need the option to make a rental feel like a real whare — and take it all down when we leave.
Better Whare 
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