by You’ve just picked up the keys, done the obligatory first lap of your new flat — and noticed every window is bare. No curtains, no blinds, just glass and a clear view straight into next door’s kitchen. It’s one of those things you never think about until move-in day: do landlords have to provide curtains in the UK, or is this your problem now?
Short answer: there’s no general law that forces a landlord to supply curtains. But the real answer lives in your tenancy agreement — and in whether your place was let as furnished or unfurnished. Here’s how it actually works, what to check, and what to do if you’re staring at naked windows.
Do Landlords Have to Provide Curtains by Law?
No — UK housing law doesn’t contain a blanket rule saying landlords must provide curtains or blinds. A landlord’s legal duties centre on the structure of the property, keeping it safe and habitable, and maintaining core installations like heating, hot water and electrics.
Window dressings sit in a grey area between “part of the property” and “the tenant’s belongings”. Unlike a broken boiler or a leaking roof, bare windows aren’t a disrepair issue, so you can’t compel your landlord to fit curtains through the usual repair routes.
That said, “no general duty” isn’t the same as “never”. Where a property is let furnished, the curtains or blinds that came with it are part of what you’re paying for — and the inventory should say so. Which brings us to the document that actually decides everything.
Furnished vs Unfurnished: Why the Label Matters
Estate agents use “furnished” and “unfurnished” loosely, and there’s no single legal definition — so check what’s actually listed rather than trusting the advert.
- Furnished: usually beds, sofas, tables — and more often than not, curtains or blinds already on the windows. If they’re there at check-in, they’re part of the inventory and part of the deal.
- Part-furnished: some basics included, but window coverings may or may not be there. This is where most move-in surprises happen.
- Unfurnished: typically white goods plus fitted carpets or flooring. Curtains are almost always down to you.
When you’re viewing a property, photograph the windows as well as the rooms. If the listing photos showed curtains and they’ve vanished by move-in day, raise it immediately — the check-in inventory is your evidence of what was included.
What to Check in Your Tenancy Agreement
Your tenancy agreement is the contract that decides who provides what. Look for these specifically:
- The inventory or fixtures list: curtains or blinds named here are the landlord’s property and should be in reasonable condition at check-in.
- Furnishings clauses: some agreements let the property “with the furnishings listed in the inventory” — window coverings can fall under this.
- Your obligations: most agreements require you to return the property in the same condition, allowing for fair wear and tear.
If nothing is mentioned and the windows are bare, the agreement is effectively silent — and in practice that means curtains are your call. This is the most common situation in unfurnished lets across the UK.
If you’re unsure what your agreement actually means, Shelter and Citizens Advice both publish free guidance on tenants’ rights — worth reading before you spend money or get into a dispute.
If Curtains Were Provided, Who Looks After Them?
When curtains or blinds come with the flat, they belong to the landlord — but day-to-day care is generally on you. Think of it like the sofa: you keep it clean and use it sensibly; the landlord replaces it when it genuinely wears out.
- Fair wear and tear: curtains fade and thin over the years — that’s normal, and your landlord can’t charge you for it at the end of the tenancy.
- Damage beyond wear: cigarette burns, pet tears, red-wine spills — that’s on you, and it can legitimately come out of your deposit.
- Cleaning: if the curtains were professionally cleaned before you moved in, your agreement may expect the same standard when you leave.
One common headache: inherited curtains that smell. If the previous tenant’s pair came with the flat and they’ve gone musty, don’t just live with it — read our guide on why curtains smell musty before deciding whether cleaning or replacing is the fix. And if they were already filthy at check-in, flag it on the inventory in the first week. Dated photos are your best friend.
Can You Ask Your Landlord to Fit Curtains?
Yes — there’s no rule against asking, and plenty of landlords will agree, especially if the request is reasonable. A few approaches that tend to work:
- Ask before you sign. “Would you be willing to fit blinds in the bedroom?” is easiest to agree when the landlord wants the tenancy signed.
- Offer to split the cost. Many landlords will go 50/50 on budget ready-made pairs — it’s cheaper than losing a good tenant.
- Frame it as property care. Curtains protect carpets and furniture from sun damage — a genuine point in a south-facing living room, for instance.
- Get it in writing. If the landlord agrees to provide or replace curtains, have it added to the inventory or confirmed by email.
What you shouldn’t do is buy expensive made-to-measure curtains and expect the landlord to reimburse you. Without a prior agreement, that’s your money spent. (Curious what the custom route costs anyway? See our guide to made-to-measure curtains cost in the UK.)
No Drilling Allowed? Renter-Friendly Options
Most tenancy agreements ban drilling into walls without permission — which rules out standard curtain poles and tracks unless you ask first. But you’re not stuck with bare windows:
- Tension rods: spring-loaded rods that wedge inside the window recess. Cheap, instant, and need no permission.
- Strong adhesive hooks: can hold lightweight voiles or café curtains — check the weight rating first, and test one hook before committing.
- Stick-on roller blinds: several budget options now mount inside the frame with adhesive — see our roller blinds comparison if you’re choosing between blind types.
- Existing fittings: if there’s already a pole or track, you’re usually fine to hang your own curtains on it — just keep the original fittings intact and stored somewhere safe.
If your landlord does allow proper fixings, our curtain track vs rod guide covers the trade-offs between the two.
Choosing Curtains for a Rental Flat
When the windows — and the bill — are yours, it pays to buy smart:
- Go neutral. Plain or lightly patterned curtains suit you now and the next tenant later. Landlords notice when a place photographs well.
- Sort downstairs privacy first. Street-facing ground-floor windows need something — even a lightweight voile — from day one.
- Bedrooms need darkness. If you’re buying anyway, our blackout vs thermal curtains comparison will save you buying the wrong pair first.
- Think about warmth too. Draughty rentals benefit hugely from a decent lined pair — see our bedroom curtains guide for what to look for.
- Keep receipts and original fittings. When you leave, your curtains go with you — they’re your property. Restore the windows to how you found them and there’ll be nothing to argue about at deposit time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do landlords have to provide curtains by law in the UK?
No. There is no general legal duty for landlords to provide curtains or blinds. It comes down to your tenancy agreement and whether the property was let furnished — check the inventory for exactly what was included at check-in.
Can my landlord charge me for missing curtains when I move out?
Only if they were listed in the inventory and present at check-in. If the windows were bare when you moved in, you can’t be charged for leaving them bare. Any deduction must also allow for fair wear and tear — faded or thinning curtains after several years count as wear, not damage.
Who is responsible for cleaning curtains in a rental?
Day to day, the tenant. If the curtains were professionally cleaned before you moved in, your tenancy agreement may require the same standard at check-out. For musty or smoke-smelling curtains you inherited, deal with it early — and photograph anything already in poor condition within the first week.
Can I drill holes for curtain poles in a rented flat?
Only with your landlord’s permission. Most tenancy agreements prohibit drilling without consent, and unauthorised holes can come out of your deposit. Ask in writing first — or use no-drill options like tension rods in the meantime.
Are blinds treated differently from curtains?
Practically, no. The same rules apply: if they’re in the inventory, they’re the landlord’s and must be returned in similar condition; if not, fitting your own is up to you — and usually down to you to remove. Roller and Roman blinds are often the easiest no-fuss option for renters.
The Bottom Line
In most UK rentals the answer is no — landlords don’t have to provide curtains. Check your agreement, photograph the inventory, ask politely if you’d like them provided, and otherwise buy smart, renter-friendly options you can take with you when you go.
