Re: Renter painted cabinets without permission - Landlord Forum thread 354435

Re: Renter painted cabinets without permission by Anonymous on September 29, 2017 @07:47

Do you have any "before" pictures taken in the past few years, that would show how the cabinets looked before these tenants moved in ? Usually stained hardwood cabinets look really nice to most people, whereas painted ones, especially 2 toned ones, do not.
If you consider it "damage" you would need to send a letter to the tenants right now, telling them they did not have your permission to paint them, and they must somehow change them back to the original finish when they move out. Hopefully that letter will establish your position on the matter.
Then, when they move out, if they have not done anything to the cabinets, you will need to change them back, and then charge their deposit with the costs involved to do so. They won't be happy about that, but then it will be up to them to take you to court to get their deposit back.
Of course, you must change them back first, before you can deduct the expense out of their deposit. You would need to take several pictures of the currently painted, 2 tone cabinets, and also show the various stages of the paint removal process, and the final product, if you end up in court someday, and expect to win.

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