normal repainting practice - Landlord Forum thread

normal repainting practice by Anonymous on November 15, 2009 @19:51

We have some tenants who just moved in and want to repaint 3 bedrooms and a living room. They asked if they could do touch ups and so we gave them our leftover paint, but now they want to redo all 4 of these rooms. We just repainted the whole apartment a year and a half ago, and touched up last spring - we can't afford another round of paint, even if they paint it. What is the usual protocol for things like this? Do you repaint in between every renter?

Thanks!

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Re: normal repainting practice by Dolly (Vermont) on November 15, 2009 @19:56	[ Reply ]
Sorry, didn't mean to post as anonymous!

Re: normal repainting practice by Anonymous on November 15, 2009 @20:43	[ Reply ]
Just say no. You touched up the paint last spring. So it hasn't been that long ago. Deny the painting costs and tell them to live with the paint. My next question would be to ask WHY they want to repaint again so soon? Have you looked at the unit lately? Maybe you should.

Re: normal repainting practice

Re: normal repainting practice by Anonymous on November 16, 2009 @08:43

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I've only been a landlord for a year and a half, but I'm learning to say the word no a lot. Had the same situation u did a few months back, tenant wanted me to pay for paint for the front porch which had just been painted 6 months earlier.

You have to establish ground rules earlier. Let the tenant know u perform repairs and that's it. Otherwise they will nickel and dime u to death.

Re: normal repainting practice by P-Bone in WNY (NY) on November 16, 2009 @11:07	[ Reply ]
They accepted the apartment "as is" when they moved in, it is not a habitability issue, I would just stand strong and say no.

Re: normal repainting practice by CA (HI) on November 18, 2009 @04:33

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All of my tenants so far have asked to paint to change the color from bright white. I've told them that I don't have time but they are welcome to hire a professional painter...they never did so it stayed white.

I am finally repainting after 3 years...but it doesn't need it really. I just figure that it will be more appealing as a soft beige or something like that. Anyway, if white can last for 3 years, then I'm sure that your paint doesn't need it, unless the previous tenants were just band. I would only paint if it is too bad to be cleaned. By the way--You probably already know, but just in case if you use semi-gloss or satin enamel it is much easier to clean than flat.

Why do they want it painted? Do they want a color change? If so, then they should hire a professional painter on their dime, or you should just say no. They accepted as is.