Living an eco-friendly life and renting a property doesn’t always go hand in hand. Whilst it may offer a flexible and affordable roof over your head, a rental home isn’t usually geared up to the environmentally-conscious among us.

However, don’t let this put you off living your best green life. There are a number of small-scale things you can do, when renting a home, that can have a positive impact on the environment. With recent summer weather bringing drought conditions to large parts of the UK, water consumption is something that is at the top of agenda when it comes to being eco-friendly. With London experiencing lower annual rainfall than the likes of Sydney and Istanbul, it’s something we all need to think about.

Over half of the water usage in a typical home takes place in the bathroom, so this would be the most logical place to begin when looking to save water. With that in mind, here are our top 5 eco-friendly tips for rental property bathrooms.

1. Turn off when brushing

First off, a really simple bit of advice that everyone should abide by. Just by simply turning your tap off when brushing your teeth, you could save bucketloads of water over the course of a year. It may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised by just how many people own up to leaving the tap running.

2.Choose a shower over a bath

Most rental properties will come with either a bath or shower but not always both. Whilst a bath is great for relaxing and unwinding, it can use a lot of water and energy when compared to a good quality shower.

If you only have a bath in your property, it may be well worth chatting to your landlord to see if he or she will fit a shower. Electric showers are quick and easy to install, using only the cold water supply. They are also incredibly energy-efficient, as they only heat the amount of water you actually need. Many newer models come with an eco option, which will limit the flow without compromising on your experience.

3. Put a countdown on your shower

If you already have a shower, you are already doing your bit for the environment. However, you could take things a step further and put a time limit on your daily shower. Many water authorities are challenging their customers to 4-minute showers, which, according to Thames Water, could save over 10,000 litres of water per year in an average household.

4. Create your own tropical paradise

We all know the benefits that house plants can bring, so why not create your very own tropical paradise by adding an array of shrubs and foliage, instead of redecorating your rental bathroom.

If you’re lacking in shelf space, you may need to think creatively. Why not make a macramé plant hanger and suspend potted plants from your ceiling? You could trail ivy down some shelving or even create your own living wall, using some wood and plastic sheeting. The great thing about houseplants is that they can be easily moved around, so even if you do change properties, your plants can come with you.

5. Keep an eye out for drips and leaks

Whilst a dripping tap or shower may be obvious, there are leaks that could be less apparent. A faulty cistern could mean your flush is running constantly. It’s often barely noticeable but could waste nearly 400 litres of water per year. One way to check for this is to stick a piece of toilet paper to the pan just before you go to bed. When you wake up, check whether it is still there. If it has totally disintegrated, you most likely have a leaky toilet. For this, and all other drips and leaks, make sure you contact your landlord immediately to prevent unnecessary water wastage.

Whilst these tips may all seem small in scale, collectively, they can help to bring about wide-reaching changes in the way we take care of our planet.

If these ideas for the bathroom have got you feeling motivated, then check out these eco-friendly tips for every room in your home.