Landlord-Approved DIY Fixes for Common Rental Annoyances (Loose Hinges, Dings, Drips & More)

April 10, 2025

Quick Fixes for Loose Hinges, Leaky Taps & Other Rental Headaches

Renting can be an absolute blessing — no land rates, no massive repair bills, and freedom to move when life takes a turn. But let's be honest, living in a rental can come with its fair share of annoyances. Think: wobbly cabinet handles, doors that squeal like haunted house props, dripping taps that sound like they're ticking down to madness. Sound familiar?

The good news? You don’t need to get on your landlord’s bad side or wait three and a half centuries for someone to fix it. There are plenty of simple repairs that are completely landlord-friendly, and with a little know-how (and possibly a quick run to your local hardware store), you can sort things out in a flash!

Loose Hinges That Drive You Batty

That slow creak every time you open a cupboard or the bedroom door that never seems to close properly — that’s usually dodgy hinges. It’s a small problem, but boy, can it get under your skin.

If the screws are loose, try tightening them. Stripped? A toothpick and some glue will fill in the hole enough to grip again. Just break the toothpick to size, dab a bit of wood glue, poke it in, then re-screw. Too easy!

Door That Won’t Latch or Alignment Issues

If your door’s doing a weird thing where it won’t properly shut, chances are it's sagging on its hinges ever so slightly. That’s often from gravity and use over time. Pop out a screw or two, grab a longer one from your trusty hardware store, and drive it into the frame stud. It’ll pull that hinge in tighter than a footy crowd on Grand Final Day.

That Infamous Drip... Drip... Drip...

A dripping tap is not only irritating, it’s slowly robbing you of your water bill budget. Most of the time, it’s worn-out washers or O-rings. Now, before you panic — replacing one is much easier than it sounds. Shut off the water under the sink, unscrew the tap, replace the washer, and screw it back together. If your landlord’s cool with minor fixes, they'll thank you for saving them a plumber call-out fee.

Pro tip: Take the old washer with you to Strathalbyn H Hardware and the crew will help you find an exact match. They’ve seen it all and can even walk you through how to put it back together.

Dings and Scratches That Catch Your Eye Every Flipping Time

Scuffed walls and chipped corners practically come with rental territory — especially if you’ve had kids, pets, or moved heavy furniture after a bit too much wine (we’ve all been there). Most minor marks can be dabbed away with matching paint. If the property manager left some behind, jackpot. If not, you can take a chip into the shop where colour matching is nothing short of magic.

For deeper dings or plaster cracks, a bit of filler, a smoothing spatula, sandpaper, and paint can bring walls back to life. It’s strangely satisfying watching it all smooth out like nothing ever happened. (Bonus: sandpaper is brilliant stress relief after a long week.)

Sticking Drawers Driving You Mad?

There’s nothing more frustrating than kitchen or bedside drawers that stick halfway. It’s usually dust buildup or dry rails. Rub a candle (yep — plain ol’ wax) or a bar of soap along the edges to lubricate them. A touch of WD-40 can help too, but test a small spot first to make sure it won’t stain anything.

Window or Door Screens Have Seen Better Days?

If you’ve ever dealt with mozzies mid-March thanks to a torn screen, you’ll know how important those mesh barriers are. Tiny tears can often be patched with screen repair tape. For bigger ones? Not a problem. Strathalbyn H Hardware offers rescreening services — just bring the screen frame in and let the team take care of it. You'll be back to sundowners with zero invasions in no time.

No More Wobble-Wobble Furniture

That unlevel table or bookshelf? Pop a bit of rubber or felt under the leg. Even a folded playing card can work in a pinch. Not only does it stop that annoying rock, but it protects your floors too. Double win!

Before You Get Started…

Check your lease before making changes. Usually, cosmetic repairs or quick fixes (that don’t alter anything permanently) are fair game. Still unsure? A quick message to your property manager keeps things on the safe side. And always keep receipts or document what you’ve done — just good renter practice.

Where to Get the Goods (and Some Solid Advice)?

For all these DIY jobs and more, your best bet is to swing by Strathalbyn H Hardware. Whether it’s the right size washers, wood filler, or just someone to walk you through the process so you're not stuck watching "how-to" videos at 2am, the team is always ready to lend a hand.

And let’s be honest — there’s something deeply satisfying about ticking off those silly little problems yourself. You’ll save time, possibly even money, and definitely your sanity.

Here’s to a rental that actually feels like home — creak-free, drip-free, and filled with your proud handiwork.

Cheerio for now,
Candeece