Did you see the rental kitchen (well, whole apartment, really) in The New York Times that was transformed by its tenants? They received a substantial reduction in rent and a long-term lease in exchange for renovating their Brooklyn apartment. Take a look at this kitchen before the renovation!
As renters, we are always avidly interested in stories of other renters making a decision to renovate their home. Depending on your situation and your rent agreement, sometimes it's worth it to put some work and investment into a rental home.
This couple, Todd and Marlene Capron, totally renovated this 700-sf Brooklyn apartment, paying special attention to the kitchen. They used IKEA cabinets and countertop, although they did modify the countertop and lighten it with a white stain. The used LACK shelves, too.
We love the final result; it's very inspiring to those of us who live with kitchens that look a lot more like the before shot!
• Read the full story: Renovating a Rental as if It Were Their Own
Related: Kitchen Tour: Ashley Ann's $500 Light and Lovely Remodel
(Images: Todd and Marlene Capron; Fred R. Conrad for The New York Times
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the pictures are reversed, the second one is the before picture. there are a few more pictures in the article, and i really like how they painted the brick walls.
Thanks for clarifying twelve. I thought to myself "the after looks TERRIBLE!"
I am so envious of renters whose landlords actually reward changes and upgrades. I've never met a landlord who looked favorably on changes, or if they tolerated them, rewarded with rent reductions.
maybe its just me but I think the landlord is the only one that really wins once he doesn't renew that 4 year lease and gets to charge a whole lot more!
EclectricDS - some people never buy property but always rent. If they intend to stay there for a number of years - at least they'll be able to enjoy the property while they are there. Besides, even if their labor was not included in the overall rent reduction - I would imagine those beautiful appliances were offset by it. Finally, some people actually enjoy DIY.