Experts' five tips to make a rented property feel like home

It can be a balancing act making a rented property feel like your own.

You want somewhere that feels warm and personal but without spending a fortune changing a flat or house owned by someone else and making alterations that put a deposit at risk.

Higher average mortgage rates and hefty deposits mean buying a home is out of reach for many, who are renting for longer .

The good news is that transforming a rental doesn't have to mean a major renovation.

With a free weekend, a relatively small budget and a few clever changes, even a bland or tired-looking place can be spruced-up.

We asked B&Q chief executive Graham Bell and interior designers Lara Clarke and Lydia Lloyd for their top tips that won't break the bank or annoy a landlord.

Before making anything permanent, check what your tenancy agreement allows.

Bell, of DIY chain B&Q, says many landlords may be open to sensible improvements, particularly where something is being upgraded rather than fundamentally changed.