Replacing damaged curtains at rental house

urzu on 29/01/2017 - 22:48
Last edited 31/01/2017 - 13:59

Hello Ozbargain,

I ask you once again for some help.

While pre-empting moving out next month, we decided to cold machine wash the existing navy, plied-curtains of our unit. That wasn't a great idea, as it seems that the rubber covering the back of the curtain has gotten stuck to the plies. Separating the plies tears the while rubber away, revealing the blue fabric from the other side. It looks quite awful and while it's impossible to notice from the inside of the unit, from the outside, it's obvious as the usually white back is now peppered in blue holes, some a few cm wide.

I would normally just leave them as they are, but our unit has two windows giving out on an open court on the same level. People visiting us would need to walk past the affected curtains to get to our front door. We have therefore decided that it would probably be best to replace them to get our bond back.

The problem is: the curtains are what appears to be an unusual size. The windows are roughly 150cm wide by 160cm tall, and our curtains are around the same size. I cannot seem to find a single short curtain online. Everywhere I look only has long, 2m+ curtains which would be way too obvious at our place.

A few questions:

  • Where can I find curtains for windows that don't reach the floor?
  • Should I replace the curtains with similar ones in length, or just get long ones?

Thanks for any help on this rather dull topic…

Problem solved edit: while I had bought new curtains anyway, our friendly neighbours gave us their old ones which are literally the same ones we damaged. So all is good, problem solved! Thanks for your input everyone!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • altomic on 29/01/2017 - 23:22
    +1

    Buy regular curtains and iron hemming tape ($2 for 3 meters on eBay). Carefully measure and use chalk to mark where you will cut the bottom of the curtainss ( make sure you leave an extra 3 cms to fold and then fold again ( which is where you will use the hemming tape)

    • urzu on 29/01/2017 - 23:31

      Thanks for the tip. The curtains that are currently in place though have "folds sewed in", for lack of better terms… I'm not sure I'd be able to replicate that but I'll consider it as a last resort. Thanks!

  • Davo1111 on 30/01/2017 - 00:42

    instead of trying to tuck the new curtains from the bottom, why not fold and sew at the top?

  • ShannonN on 30/01/2017 - 00:54
    +1

    If the curtains are rubber backed you risk losing some bond if you replace with non rubber backed ones check your entry report to see if they mention "Rubber backed" etc before choosing the replacements - the folds probably are pleats
    so look in spotlight for pleated blue curtains with 1 mtr drop cut in 1/2 hang then trim & hem

  • Cheeper on 30/01/2017 - 02:24
    +2

    See if it is possible to speak with the owner directly. Try not to get messages relayed via the agent as this sometimes just gets ignored or not passed on. Some owners are decent people BTW and would appreciate your concern :-)
    Explain that you tried to do the right thing and wash the curtains but things went wrong. The curtains may be reasonably aged and need replacing anyway and the owner can do this and claim it on their tax return.

    I know rubber backed curtains are good for blocking light but are poor longevity wise.. they perish easily, especially if they were cheap ones.

    If the curtains are of a reasonable age there is no way a tribunal would find against you for such a small problem.
    If the rest of the property has been well maintained, left clean and with no history of rental arrears then you should receive favourable support for such a small matter.

    If we had properties left with such a small problem we would be amazed..!! Usually we have to begin cleaning them with a shovel and a wheel barrow before replacing doors, walls, windows, etc… not to mention 6 mths unpaid rent!!

    ****Do take many photos of the property before you vacate..**** Saves a lot of arguments later.

    Good luck.

    • urzu on 30/01/2017 - 10:51

      Thanks for the feedback. The unit wasn't in great shape when we moved in. I'd consider it in better shape now. We've repainted some areas that were scuffed with colourmatched paint (window edges). The place is also getting professionally cleaned upon vacating (after we also clean it ourselves). In your scenario as an owner, would you be upset if you found curtains had been replaced? I would rather avoid contacting owner or agent because I dn't want to be sent a bill for custom made curtains and then have them beoing close minded about me buy regular replacements. The entry report doesn't mention anything about curtains other than them being clue and in good shape…

      • Cheeper on 30/01/2017 - 13:42

        Personally I would prefer the tenant speak with me but some are strange and wont do this.
        If the only problem is the curtains I would be pleased that is all and would prefer to replace them myself. (prob give you a ctn of beer for the work you have done too)
        Some owners are very strange people as many will attest so you have to be careful.
        If you replace them and the owner says they are not exactly the same then they may replace them with what they consider similar at your cost. If that happens you will be paying for 2 lots of curtains.
        Sometimes but also very rare an agent might be able to give some advice or even speak with the owner for you (and actually do it!!)
        It sounds to me that the curtains were reasonably aged anyway so I would just write a note to the agent telling them that you tried to clean them and what happened """and keep a copy"".
        Do not offer to pay for a replacement because people being what they are he could go out and get the most expensive curtains possible.. :-(
        If they want to go further with it you can speak with them then. Keep a note of all phone calls..
        Give the agent a call and go from there.. Ask the agent to also find out how old the curtains are.

  • barbarella on 30/01/2017 - 09:41

    Yes…ask the owners what you can do in this situation - better to be open and honest and tell them what has happened.
    Otherwise, you could spend $s trying to 'fix' the problem and still end up with angry owners. Good luck :)

  • iforgotmysocks on 30/01/2017 - 10:35

    I'd personally replace with whatever is reasonable and not say anything unless asked.

    More than likely won't be a problem, but for piece of mind you can send an email to the real estate saying what happened and that you have replaced. If they are too long… meh.

  • John Kimble on 30/01/2017 - 16:50
    +2

    When I was renting, the bedroom curtains were very old and not blackout, which made it difficult to sleep past sunrise.

    The living room didn't really have curtains…only had the see through doily looking ones. I bought some cheap blackout curtains from Aldi ($20 or $30???), put them in the bedroom and put the old bedroom ones in the living room.

    I kept the old ones with the intention to swap them back when I moved out, but in the end just I just chucked them and left it as is.

    Didn't mention it to anyone and didn't have any issues when I moved out.

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