curtain problem

Submitted by timeforclowns t3_1194p8j in boston

per my lease, i can't screw into the wall (and my roommate is uncomfy with me doing it on the dl), but my window faces out into the street and i'd really like to have some curtains on it. the walls are painted, so i don't think command hooks would work very well, especially if i'm using them to hold up a curtain rod that will be used frequently. i could use those adjustable curtain rods, but in my experience, they fall constantly and i'd really rather not bother with those.

the siding is pretty thick, so there's a lot of room on top of the window. i was thinking about using those over-the-door hangers and some strong glue - the siding is painted white, so it'd be easy to paint back over any damage to the paint - but i have bad ideas very frequently so im not sure about that one lmao. any ideas?

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kpe12 t1_j9ke9o1 wrote

If your tension curtain rods are falling constantly then they're either crap quality or you're not installing them correctly.

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Sloth_are_great t1_j9ki6uq wrote

All of mine work fine except for one because there is an irregularity in the walls for that window.

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thursmalls t1_j9kjfkk wrote

put a piece of foam padding in between the curtain rod and the wall

I have a tile floor in my laundry room and it's not possible to position the machines so that none of the feet are in a grout line. I cut up the scraps of the non-slip carpet liner that I have under my living room rug, stacked a few of them together and then shoved that under the feet that are on a grout line. Worked for the last 6 years to keep the washer dryer in place and quiet.

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Born_Leg5226 t1_j9kewqx wrote

tbh if you just ask your landlord if you can install curtain rods they’ll probably say yes

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ftmthrow t1_j9kfv6w wrote

You’re worried about command strips on walls and tension rods but you’re gonna use “strong glue” instead?

Just use the command strips or tension rods (twist them until they can no longer twist, and don’t pull with all of your strength when you draw your curtains), it’ll be fine.

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dpm25 t1_j9kdfy2 wrote

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/hardware/angles-braces-and-brackets/brackets/6002391?x429=true&gclid=CjwKCAiAl9efBhAkEiwA4ToriptdPSPPVGpX4BTl6MCQhodEkYAnT9uLIW6LtgMRBlgBp_zBT4TiXRoCe2EQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or just a tension rod.

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Sincerely_Me_Xo t1_j9kh9z7 wrote

Check your lease - most of the time it says apartment must be returned to original condition (or something like that) so as long as you patch it over properly, you are in the clear. If it’s considered an upgrade, you can leave it in place when you move out without issue.

As people mentioned tension rods are great, as well as command hooks.

And there’s also privacy film you can buy to place on the window that typically peels off leaving no damage. (Read amazon reviews to find the best one)

/edit - typos

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joearchang t1_j9kquzf wrote

Put up some curtains! Screw the holders into the wall!! Your landlord can’t stop you from “normal wear and tear”. Privacy is necessary. Tell the Landlord he can do it or you will!

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AMercifulHello t1_j9mv5r2 wrote

My suggestion would be to ask the landlord if you can install a curtain rod. If they're uncomfortable with this, you can ask them if they would mind installing it for you. I have this same language in my lease, but I'd be more than happy to oblige on an as-needed basis. The reason I have this language to begin with is because everyone is different and I've seen some people do some crazy things with nails, screws, bolts, etc. If the landlord is disagreeable in both cases, they wouldn't be the type of landlord I'd appreciate having anyways and at that point I might consider then installing them anyways and assuming the cost of them deducting it from the security deposit and repairing it, especially if you plan on staying long-term.

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joearchang t1_j9ndpv8 wrote

Are you in Massachusetts? The only way the landlord could take any of the deposit is if they go to Court. If they have access to the deposit (not in a security deposit account) they are breaking the law and will pay 3x. No discussion. They would also need pictures from the move in of that window not having curtains before. THEN the judge (it will never get this far, it will be mediated) would have to agree that curtains were damaging and side in the landlords favor. NOT going to happen. (Unless it’s a historical building) Laws are strict! Learn them before they bite you! The laws are set up to favor the tenant big time. Especially if they show good faith effort. Simply email or send a certified letter (keep a paper trail) to your landlord that you need curtains. Ask if he would like to put them up or you will. Give him a week (seems fair) Also, if you gave a deposit and you didn’t open the security deposit account with the landlord (it’s a joint account), they are violating the law and will have to give it back with treble damages (3x). Give them that tidbit and see what they say.

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AMercifulHello t1_j9nhvhl wrote

Yeah, I am in Massachusetts.

The landlord could take the deposit to cover reasonable damages incurred. If it's included in the lease that the tenant isn't allowed to hang anything and they do, then the landlord could presumably take this from the security deposit. If the tenant feels this is unfair, the onus would be on them to take the landlord to court (which, even at 3x the damages seems unlikely), at which time I would suspect the landlord would point to the language in the lease.

I agree with your point, though. OP should definitely create a paper trail requesting to install curtains/that curtains be installed at the tenant's cost.

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joearchang t1_j9q60q9 wrote

Ok. You are factually incorrect! Educate your self. Landlords CAN NOT TAKE A DEPOSIT WITHOUT THE COURTS APPROVAL. They wouldn’t be able to remove the money from the account. Period! If they dont have it in a security deposit account the landlord is screwed. You landlord your way. Get ready when you have an educated tenant.

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AMercifulHello t1_j9s9o5k wrote

I'm honestly not sure what you're referring to. In the state of Massachusetts, there are very specific laws outlining security deposits and none of them specify that a security deposit be held in an account that cannot be accessed by the landlord. Similarly, I do not know what piece of legislature you feel mandates court approval to deduct anything from the security deposit.

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joearchang t1_j9si5sd wrote

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-holding-a-security-deposit You can go here. It’s slightly vague about the “proper type of account” and “telling the bank it’s not the land lords money”but the actual law states it has to be in a security deposit account (which is what the bank would do if you told them it was a security deposit) Or you are subject to forfeiture of the deposit and treble damages. I do t know the statute but It’s been explained by a judge to me (twice unfortunately).

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AMercifulHello t1_j9vqwyi wrote

I don't mean to be argumentative but I also went through this entire process with a lawyer while drafting my lease and discussing security deposits. There is nothing on the page you referenced, nor in any of the legislature I've come across, nor anything that was mentioned by my attorney regarding a "security deposit account." The deposit only needs to be held in a separate, interest bearing account in a Massachusetts bank. There are then separate laws governing the lease and informing the tenant of said account. I have never heard of any state requiring a court order to withdraw funds from a security deposit, and it seems you're also finding it difficult to find this as well aside from what some judge explained to you at some point before.

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mtmsm t1_j9kf5qs wrote

I have these tension rods. They can be made very tight, and they won’t loosen up because there’s a screw that keeps the tension in place.

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Icy-Neck-2422 t1_j9kdqj2 wrote

You want a tension curtain rod - or search for no drill curtain rod hooks / screwless curtain rod hooks.

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sock-opera t1_j9kxrns wrote

If a tension rod doesn’t work for you I would say f-it and just drill holes for the curtain bracket assuming the screw anchors aren’t absurdly large. Assuming your walls are neutral colored, I think it’s easier and less noticeable to patch a hole than it is to match paint on the chance the adhesive you use pulls the paint off during its removal.

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Quirky_Butterfly_946 t1_j9kgacy wrote

I would contact the landlord and discuss the need for window coverings. Tell them what you prefer to use and that it will include them being nailed or screwed in depending on what you want.

Most curtain rods use small nails for the brackets which do not leave much damage. In fact you could tell them that you will leave the brackets and rods when you leave.

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catsforzas t1_j9km2x5 wrote

Would privacy film work? I put this one up on my road-facing windows a while back and it’s working well for me - plus it doesn’t block the light. Some of my neighbors also use it!

https://www.amazon.com/Volcanics-Privacy-Stickers-Rainbow-Control/dp/B07SNQ5Z67/ref=asc_df_B07SNQ5Z67/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366338095855&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10727167148390316008&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001996&hvtargid=pla-800254591606&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=75139009806&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366338095855&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10727167148390316008&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001996&hvtargid=pla-800254591606

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AfterTheGoldrushSF t1_j9lq40h wrote

I have those tension rods for curtains, and then curtains with holes that thread through. It never falls.

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SpiritedCamel_ t1_j9mv8s1 wrote

You're over thinking this.

Just screw in a curtain rod. Use a decent curtain rod (not some $10 piece of crap), and do a good job installing it. Leave it installed when you move out.

Your landlord won't thank you for improving their property, but they also won't charge you.

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Kevlub t1_j9l27io wrote

I use command hooks and bought some cheap curtains that I poked holes in for the hooks due to an oddly sized window

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AffectionateTrash6 t1_j9mxn4h wrote

I used “Kwik-Hang” curtain rods in my last apartment. They go around the corner of the window frames and leave just tiny nail holes in the top of the trim where they’d likely never be noticed. Highly recommend!

Kwik-Hang

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