I don't think pelmets are in vogue but they are immensely useful if you need the curtain for keeping out the cold. A good pelmet will stop the cold air cycling in and help prevent crying walls. I have seen some more modern versions that a friend made. They enclosed the top of the curtain in a simple timber box, with the curtain hanging out the bottom. it looked a lot more simple and elegant and did the trick.

You can remove the pelmet and hooks and even rod quite easily and store them somewhere safe so that you can put them back when you leave. I wouldn't remove the vertical blinds though as they are easily damaged if stored, are not cheap and will cost you when you leave. Just leave them open to one side would be the safest. Good luck with the landlord, but every tenant wants something different, so don't be surprised if the answer is no. It's a good idea to discuss these things before you move in as they may be deal breakers for you or your landlord.

Hey Waterloo A curtain pelmet is all you need just like this. Applied to the front of the curtain face. Thanks Paul

check "pinch pleat" style hooks...usually available at Spotlight, Bunnings, some department stores or any curtain maker but you can often find a few odd ones at teh Opshops to test which shape suits your curtain...they have the hook part that hangs on the track but also have prongs that project upwards and can be fed through several vertical loops to make a pleat every 10 cms then a smooth gap, rather than continuous gathers, and hold the curtain upright..the different styles have the hook attached a different levels along the prongs so that the hook can be hung higher or lower....the right one may depend on the weight and width of the fabric to suit the curtain space...making the curtain narrower can sometimes help and another option is to add weights to the hem of the curtain.. some special curtain weights look like big flat metal rings about the size of a 20 cent coin and are wrapped in a small pouch of fabric that is sewn at intervals along the inside of the curtain hems...(lots of work so try hanging a few keys on safety pins along the hem to see if that helps before you start sewing) best of luck with this very annoying dilemma