Many people want to use thumb tacks or pins to attach art or storage shelves to the walls of a rented room, but are concerned about whether it is okay to use pins or thumb tacks.
Some people may have also had the experience of being charged for repairs when moving out of a rental property because a hole was noticeable after poking a thumb tack into wallpaper.
When it comes to installing pins on walls in rented properties, it can sometimes cause problems, so it's important to understand the rules before installing.
In this article, we will introduce how to deal with pins and drilling holes in walls in rental properties, as well as recommended attachment products that can be used in rental properties to make holes less noticeable.
Can I use pins on a rented wall?
The Civil Code was revised in 2020, and guidelines for restoring properties to their original condition were established when vacating rental properties.
It also includes information about using pins.
According to the guidelines for restoring the property to its original condition, pins and thumb tacks are considered normal use and the landlord is responsible for them, but if holes are made with screws or nails, the tenant is obligated to restore the property to its original condition and will be charged for repairs.
However, some properties prohibit drilling holes or damaging the wallpaper, so it is important to check whether pins or thumb tacks will be used when signing the contract.
Also, be sure to take photos of any scratches or holes in the wallpaper you notice before moving in, and keep a record of them to share with your landlord or management company.
How to check the rules for using pins and thumb tacks on rented walls
In rental properties, it is unclear whether it is permitted to use pins or thumb tacks or to drill holes in the walls with screws, depending on the property.
Even though there is nothing in the contract prohibiting the use of pins, it is not uncommon for landlords to warn people not to do so.
Next, we will explain the rules regarding drilling holes in rental properties, based on the restoration guidelines and rental agreement.
Check the restoration guidelines
The Civil Code was revised in 2020, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established "Troubles and guidelines regarding restoration to original state."
The restoration guidelines outline who will be responsible for the costs of repairs for damage or soiling caused by normal use or deterioration over time.
Regarding the use of pins and thumb tacks, we would like to introduce a portion of the wall repair division of labor table in the Restoration Guidelines.
[Things to be borne by the lessor (landlord)]
- Blackening of the rear walls of televisions, refrigerators, etc. (so-called electrical burns)
- Remains of posters and paintings on the wall
- Holes from thumb tacks, pins, etc. on walls (but not large enough to require replacement of the base board)
- Screw holes and marks on the wall from air conditioner installation (owned by tenant)
- Discoloration of wallpaper (due to natural phenomena such as sunlight)
[Things to be borne by the tenant (resident)]
- Oil stains in the kitchen due to the tenant neglecting daily cleaning (if the property is not properly cleaned after use, resulting in soot and oil build-up)
- Mold and stains that have expanded due to the tenant neglecting condensation (if the tenant does not notify the landlord and fails to wipe it off or take other care, causing corrosion of walls, etc.)
- The air conditioner was leaking water and the tenant neglected it, causing the wall to corrode.
- Tobacco tar or odor (if the wallpaper has become discolored or has an odor due to smoking, etc.)
- Nail holes and screw holes in walls, etc. (holes made to hang heavy objects and that require the base board to be reupholstered)
- Remains of lighting fixtures installed directly on the ceiling by the tenant
- Intentional damage such as graffiti
Reference: Troubles and guidelines regarding restoration to original state
According to the restoration guidelines, whether or not the tenant is responsible for the use of pins depends on whether or not the wall baseboard has been replaced.
Holes caused by pins or thumb tacks do not generally require the sub-board to be replaced, so the landlord is responsible for the repairs, but holes caused by screws or nails require the sub-board to be replaced, so the tenant is responsible for the repairs.
If you are unreasonably charged for repairs due to holes or scratches in the walls when you move out, check the restoration guidelines to see if you are required to pay for them.
Check the rental agreement
Although the Restoration Guidelines allow the use of pins and thumb tacks at the landlord's expense, there are cases where the rental agreement completely prohibits them.
In such properties, even if there are restoration guidelines, you must follow them if they are stated in the contract.
When explaining the important details of the rental contract for such properties, there will be a special note that states and explains that drilling holes, including with pins, is prohibited.
Be careful not to forget about the terms of the contract while you're still in the apartment and accidentally drill a hole in the wall.
Check with the landlord directly
If the information is not mentioned in the contract or important information explanation document, we recommend that you contact your landlord or management company directly.
In principle, the real estate agent should explain these rules when explaining important matters before signing the contract, but sometimes people don't remember the rules while they're living in the property.
To avoid being charged for repairs when you move out, be sure to consult with us before using the pin.
Acceptable limits for damage and drilling in walls of rental properties
The restoration guidelines establish clear standards for damaging walls and drilling holes, but it will be easier to make a decision if you know in advance what is acceptable.
Next, we will explain the acceptable range for the type and size of holes in the walls of rental properties.
For your ease, we have divided the acceptable range of damage to walls and drilling holes into three categories.
- Pins and pushpins
- Screws and nails
- Large holes over 1cm
I will explain each one in order, so please refer to it.
Pins and pushpins
Pin or thumb tack holes that do not require replacement of the furring boards are considered normal use and will be covered by the landlord.
If, by any chance, the hole becomes large and noticeable due to the use of pins or thumb tacks, do not leave it as it is or try to repair it yourself with putty, but consult with your landlord or management company.
In some cases, we may be able to come to your location and make repairs.
There are videos on video sites that show how to restore the property to its original condition, but we do not recommend making repairs without your permission as you may be charged for them.
We recommend that you consult with your landlord rather than making the decision yourself.
Screws and nails
If holes are made in the wall using screws or nails, the base board will need to be replaced, and the tenant will be responsible for the repair costs.
Depending on where the screws or nails were used, the average repair cost is between 5,000 and 10,000 yen.
If you plan on drilling deep holes using screws, nails, etc., we recommend that you always consult with your landlord before using them.
The exception to this is when drilling holes for installation work that is necessary for daily life, such as installing an air conditioner.
In such cases, the landlord or management company will have to pay for the costs.
Large holes over 1cm
If a large hole (over 1cm) is made that is not caused by a pin or screw, the tenant will be responsible for the cost of repairs.
Repair costs depend on the size of the hole, but can range from 5,000 yen to 50,000 yen or more.
However, in most cases where holes larger than 1 cm have been made, the holes have been made using special tools or by kicking the wall.
If you make a large hole in the wall, it may become larger and allow pests to enter.
We recommend that you do not leave any holes you have made, but rather consult with your landlord or management company.
What to do if you accidentally drill a hole in the wall
If you accidentally make a hole in a wall, you will be required to pay the repair costs to restore the property to its original condition.
However, even if you damage rental property, your fire insurance can cover the costs.
The conditions for claiming fire insurance are as follows:
-
Accidental damage
A hole was made in the wall when furniture suddenly hit it, when something fell and hit it, or when something flew into the room from a strong wind and made a hole in the wall, etc. - Tenant liability insurance is provided
If you wish to file a claim for fire insurance, contact your insurance agent or insurance company to complete the claim procedure.
The insurance claims process involves either an on-site inspection by a property insurance adjuster or by submitting photographs of the scene and an invoice or estimate for the cost of repairing the holes.
The amount of your insurance payment will be determined based on the documents you submit for the claim, so be sure to consult with your insurance company first.
Pin and stick items that won't damage the walls of your rental property
Many people understand that it's okay to use pins, but would like the holes to be as inconspicuous as possible.
For such people, items that make holes less noticeable and tapes that don't leave marks are ideal.
Next, we will introduce some recommended items such as pins and tape that can be used without any problems in rental properties.
[+d] Ninja pin 15P
| Price (incl. tax) | 1,100 yen |
|---|---|
| size | Diameter 7 x Height 21mm |
| Product Details | Material: Acrylic/Stainless Steel Quantity: 15 pieces |
The needle part of the NINJA pin is V-shaped, which means that traces of use are not noticeable.
They are popular for installing art and posters, and when used on textured wallpaper, they are praised for not leaving any traces of use, making it difficult to tell where you stuck them.
It is sold on online shopping sites such as Amazon and Rakuten.
[MUJI] Thumb tacks with thin needles
| Price (incl. tax) | 190 yen |
|---|---|
| size | Height 18mm |
| Product Details | Material: Polystyrene/Stainless Steel Quantity: 12 pieces |
This is a very popular item because the needle part is thin and the pin holes are not noticeable.
It can be purchased at MUJI stores nationwide and online.
It's suitable for posters and other paper displays, but for heavier displays you'll need to use several pins to ensure stability.
It may be more suitable for some types of posting than others, but we recommend it as a convenient item that prevents pin holes from being noticeable.
[KOKUYO] Reusable soft adhesive, Sticky
| Price (incl. tax) | 407 yen |
|---|---|
| size | Length 10.5 x width 11 x thickness 3.5mm |
| Product Details | Material: Synthetic rubber Quantity: 55 pieces |
Many people use rolled-up duct tape or double-sided tape to stick posters to the wall, but when they remove the posters, the wallpaper can peel off and the adhesive from the tape can leave marks.
Kokuyo's Sticky Tape has strong adhesive power and leaves little tape residue when removed, so there is no need to worry about peeling off wallpaper.
It can be used not only for posting posters but also for setting up lightweight shelves.
[Kabe Bijin] Clock hook for fixing to plasterboard
| Price (incl. tax) | 945 yen |
|---|---|
| size | Width 36 x Height 700 x Thickness 3.5mm |
| Product Details | Material: ABS resin Quantity: 2 pieces |
Kabe Bijin is a wall-mounted bracket for plasterboard that can be attached with a stapler.
There is a wide variety of installation equipment available, ranging from sizes that can accommodate pre-built shelves to sizes that can accommodate large TVs.
Staplers are thinner than pins or thumb tacks and leave less noticeable holes, making them ideal for those who don't want to damage wallpaper.
[3M] Command wall-mounted adhesive hooks
| Price (incl. tax) | 990 yen |
|---|---|
| size | Width 2 x Depth 5.5 x Height 9.5cm |
| Product Details | Material: Paper Quantity: 5 pieces |
These command hooks will not leave any sticky residue or scratches on your walls when removed.
The hook and the adhesive tab with the wallpaper protector are separate, so you can place the hook precisely in the correct position without having to move it around.
One thing to note is that the hooks have a lower weight capacity than screws or nails, so hanging heavy objects or multiple objects on them may cause the hooks to come off and make the holes larger.
Make sure to hang lightweight items on the hooks you install.
Things to keep in mind when using pins on the walls of rental properties
We have introduced pins that leave less noticeable holes in the wall and convenient installation tools, but there are some things to keep in mind before using them.
Here are three points to note:
- Do not sting in the same place multiple times
- Do not hang heavy objects on the
- Do not use on any surface other than the wall
1. Don't sting the same spot multiple times
Even if you use pins or tape that won't leave noticeable holes in the wall, try not to stick them in the same place multiple times.
Sticking pins in the same spot repeatedly can cause holes or scratches to get bigger, even if you use a convenient tool that doesn't make the holes or scratches more noticeable.
Furthermore, the puncture marks will be noticeable on the wallpaper, and you may be charged for replacing it.
So, try to insert pins in different places as much as possible.
2. Do not hang heavy objects
Most hooks that are attached by pins have a weight capacity of 1 to 10 kg, so if you hang something heavy or multiple items on them, they will fall.
If a hook that is attached with pins or tape cannot withstand the weight and falls, the hole may widen and cause the wallpaper to peel off.
Before installing the hooks, check the specified weight capacity and then secure them with pins or tape.
3. Do not use in any location other than on a wall
In many properties, the use of pins is prohibited except on walls such as doors and sliding doors.
In particular, when you stick a pin into doors or sliding doors, the marks left behind are very noticeable.
If you try to pin something other than on the wall, you may be charged a replacement fee for parts when you move out.
To avoid unexpected billing for restoration costs when you move out, please refrain from using pins or tape anywhere other than on the walls.
summary
This time, we introduced what to do when you drill a hole in the wall of a rental property and the use of pins and screws.
Using pins in the walls of a rental property does not mean that the tenant is obligated to restore the property to its original condition, but it is important to use them in a way that the holes are not noticeable, such as not sticking the pins into the same hole multiple times or using them in places other than the wall.
Furthermore, according to the restoration guidelines, screws and nails will require replacing the underlying wall structure, so the repair costs will be borne by the tenant.
Also, depending on the property, drilling itself may be prohibited, so it is important to always follow the rules in the contract.
Furthermore, if you don't want to scratch or make holes in the walls, we recommend using convenient items such as sheet-type products that won't scratch the walls of rented properties.
If you're looking to enjoy art and interior design in a rental property, use these tips to enjoy your time in your room.
