Re: Pet after move out - Landlord Forum thread

Re: Pet after move out by Eloise on July 19, 2012 @10:18

I think what everyone here is trying to help you understand, is that charging $$$$ for paint jobs, for pet charges that you never saw, etc etc, will only cost YOU money. This could go to court, and you will most likely lose.

I see your frustration, my last tenant did similar things, I get you. And I was furious when I went to look at the property and realized I didn't have 1 day worth of work but an entire week. It sucks.

However, let's be practical here: 2 years worth of a tenancy, you are looking at having to re-paint most of the walls ANYWAY. This is normal wear and tear. The carpet needs to be professionally cleaned, the yard has already been cleared, right?
So, what are you really out at this point now?
The repair of the botched paint job, not the actual paint job, you need to repaint anyways!
Personally, I know it sounds easy to try to squeeze all this out of your old T's pocket, but when he's moving out already, probably because he can not afford to live there, how much do you think you could get in reality? Just charge him the regular repairs, repairing the baseboards, cleaning the carpet, and move on.
No sense on dragging this, move on and get a new tenant, and do your regular inspections for Pete's sake!

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Re: Pet after move out by OK-LL on July 19, 2012 @12:04	[ Reply ]

Why do you assume that after 2 years a unit needs to be painted anyway? Do you paint your home every 2 years? I don't. I've lived in my home for 6 years and am still enjoying the original paint from move-in. I expect my tenants to use the walls for their legitimate purpose, to divide rooms and hold the ceilings up. I don't expect them to rub against them, marr them or otherwise abuse them, so I don't expect to do more than minor touchup between tenants for at least 3-5 years, depending on the wall color. Painting annually or every other year as a matter of course is just a waste of time & money. This tenant improperly painted the rental without permission or skill. You bet I'd be charging him for remediation!

Re: Pet after move out by Eloise on July 19, 2012 @13:07	[ Reply ]

Well, I guess it depends in the situation. Renting and freshening up a place for new tenants, weather is every year, two years, 6 years, is not ever going to be the same as painting and repainting at your own will in your own residence. I don't like painting, I sure as heck don't paint MY home every year either. But for changing up tenants, who wants to rent a place for a number of years that has not been painted for another number of years? I guess some people do, but some people don't just the same. Like I said, I'd be charging for repairing the damages for the baseboards, and perhaps even a painting fee ... a +3k painting fee, to me, is excessive.

Re: Pet after move out by Anonymous on July 19, 2012 @15:11	[ Reply ]

Doesn't the fact that ex-T will be off the lease as soon as I find suitable Ts matter here? He needs me to find new tenants as soon as possible since he is still paying the rent. I don't understand why other LL in this forum would think that I am trying to fleece him. How much of a painting fee would you charge if professional assessments came out to be $4,000?

Re: Pet after move out

Re: Pet after move out by Anonymous on July 19, 2012 @15:35	[ Reply ]

"However, let's be practical here: 2 years worth of a tenancy, you are looking at having to re-paint most of the walls ANYWAY. This is normal wear and tear. The carpet needs to be professionally cleaned, the yard has already been cleared, right?" I would have to agree that if T had normal wear and tear but in this case there is a lot of excess wear and tear. Also he signed another 2-year lease and he is still paying the rent until I find suitable tenants. Doesn't the fact that he caused this pre-mature full painting have any worth? My house is not an apartment that flips tenants every 6 months. I can not cover the botched paint job by touch-up painting. In order to return to before move-in condition, ceilings, trims and walls need to be painted all together. Walls need to be painted twice to cover dark-colored paint. He is moving out because he broke up with GF and wants to move to smaller house and he does have close to 6 figure income. I am not trying to squeeze everything out of him. I want to understand why I am not fair in my assessment?