Q: MY TENANCY agreement says I need the landlord’s written permission to hang pictures, does that mean that I cannot hang Christmas decorations without my landlord’s written permission either?

A: It is prudent to get your landlord’s permission in writing if there is any doubt.

However, tenants are entitled to live in and enjoy their rental home as any person would normally enjoy their home, I would consider hanging Christmas decorations as a part of normal life.

The aim of the game is to not cause any damage to the fabric of the property for which you could be charged at the end of your tenancy.

So use the existing hooks, fixtures and fittings. For example hang your decorations off the light fittings or banisters.

Avoid using sellotape or blue tack as it damages the paint work.

If you need to attach things to the walls avoid nails or screws, use actual picture hooks as these leave much smaller holes, but be aware that even small holes will need to be filled at the end of your tenancy, and matching paint can be nigh on impossible so you could end up having to paint entire walls.

When you come to move out, talk to your landlord about leaving some picture hooks, this will save the next tenants from needing to make more holes and you from having to patch them.

As far as hanging decorations on the outside of the property is concerned the same advice stands.

A string of fairy lights shouldn’t cause damage if carefully hung, but perhaps it would be wise to leave the 10ft roof Santa as something to look forward to when you buy your own house, and yes you would need a written permission for pets’ letter to get a real reindeer.

My advice is, send your landlord a nice Christmas card to butter them up and if you feel that you need to do anything which will alter the property at all or leave a mark, run it past your landlord and get their written permission if possible.

If you do accidentally cause any damage, come clean, put it right if you can or be prepared to pay for it. Be careful, reasonable and diligent but don’t over worry, most landlords are reasonable people.

Email your property related questions to clive@sawyersestateagents.co.uk.