How to Mount a TV in an Apartment Without Damaging Walls

Renting doesn't mean living with a TV on a dresser. Most landlords allow wall mounting if it is done neatly and patched when you leave — and the damage from a properly installed mount is four small holes. Here is how to do it without risking the deposit.

Step 1: Ask the landlord (in writing)

Send a short message: the TV size, the wall, that you will mount into studs and patch the holes at move-out. Most say yes. Some buildings only allow approved contractors, and some condo associations require a certificate of insurance — worth knowing before anyone drills.

Step 2: Figure out the wall

• Wood studs (garden apartments, older buildings): the simplest case — lag bolts into two studs.
• Metal studs (most mid- and high-rises): snap-toggles through the steel. See metal studs.
• Concrete or block (South Florida, many towers): masonry anchors. Small holes, very strong. See concrete.

Step 3: Choose a deposit-friendly mount

A fixed or tilting mount with a small wall plate leaves the fewest holes. Full-motion arms need more fasteners and more force on the wall — fine, but harder to hide at move-out. Our apartment mount picks favor slim plates that still reach two studs.

Step 4: Keep cables outside the wall

Cutting drywall for in-wall power is a bigger repair and usually against the lease. A paintable raceway from the TV to the outlet peels off with the right adhesive and leaves nothing a little paint won't cover — see renter-friendly concealment.

Step 5: Patch properly when you leave

Remove the plate, fill each hole with lightweight spackle, let it dry, sand flush and touch up with the wall paint (ask the office for the color). A 5/16-inch lag hole disappears in two coats.

If you truly cannot drill

Some leases prohibit any holes. Then the honest options are a floor stand that holds the TV at wall-mount height or a console mount that clamps behind furniture — mounting without drilling. Adhesive strips and "no-drill" hooks are not rated for TVs.

We mount TVs in rentals every week and choose hardware with the move-out in mind. Installation starts at $119 for a TV up to 60 inches.

Gear mentioned in this article

Mounting Dream Fixed TV Wall Mount Low Profile TV Bracket for 42-90 Inch TVFixed bracket: the panel sits flat, closest to the wall.Check price → ECHOGEAR No Stud TV Wall Mount for Drywall, fits 32-77” TVs up to 100lbsDrywall-only mount for small, light TVs where no stud lines up.Check price → Delamu Cord HiderPaintable cable raceway: hides the run without cutting the wall.Check price → Franklin Sensors ProSensor M210 13-Sensor Stud Finder, Live Wire DetectionStud finder: locates the framing behind the drywall.Check price →

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