BiggerPockets

The lease should state the premises must be returned in the same condition as received minus normal wear and tear. Although I consider several small nail holes in the wall for hanging pictures "normal", I do not consider 1/4" holes for lag screws as normal nor a 3x3" cut out for passing cables. Explain the wall is either patched and painted to your satisfaction when they move or it's coming out of their security deposit.

Thanks Rusty I like the sounds of that, makes sense.

I agree with Mitch. If you hang it, and there are ANY issues, it will be on you. If you have an earthquake and that TV falls, they'll expect you to replace it. If someone does a pull-up on it, and it falls, they'll expect you to replace it.

I would like to require them to hire a professional to do it, since there would be no liability for me. Practically, I would probably just let them do it though. I've never been that worried about a few minor drywall patches, but you could easily let them know it'll be $25 or $30 or something off their deposit when they move out.

I prefer not to let tenants "return the property to original condition" after I had a tenant fill several gouges in drywall with toothpaste.

Ah, the old college dorm trick! :mrgreen:

That's why I don't make a big deal about nail holes in the walls for pictures. But you always risk the problem of tenant's seeking self-rememdies for damage they caused prior to move out because they know their security deposit is on the line.

Specify an articulating bracket be used that can support a specific television weight, and that you select the location where the bracket is to be installed. Then require that the bracket be left in place for use by future tenants (or else they have to pay repairs). An articulating bracket will allow the TV screen to be pointed in most directions, so in the future nobody will have much reason to mount the TV anywhere else.

Doesn't your lease have wording that "improvements" that landlord approves become part of the property and are to remain with the property? Make this just such an improvement.

If they have a stand, then you don't have the four bolts mounting a bracket to the wall, and then you don't have damage to repair. Nothing wrong with that.

But in your OP, you were the one who said that there would be holes in the wall ... I just offered an alternative that does not leave holes exposed. That bracket would certainly still be removable, but if it's yours and part of the unit, then just leave it be. The articulations will allow it to almost be flat to the wall when adjusted.

My new tenants asked about mounting a flat screen on the wall. I told them my contractor would have to do it, and they would have to pay him. They asked if Best Buy's installer could do it. They said they love their TV enough *not* to even attempt it on their own. I said fine, but if/when they move out, they will need to pay to restore the wall to the original condition. They agreed.

I'll let them put it up, write up an addendum to the lease that spells out their responsibility and liability of the wall mount. Too easy. 4 bolts in the wall mounted to the studs behind it. A little mud or spackle will fix in in less than 10 minutes.

Assuming you trust the tenants to have it done correctly, I would let them be responsible with the understanding they will be charged for returning the wall back to its original condition. I too would want to have the work done and deduct from SD.

BTW, wouldn't the blue sparkles show up where they plugged with the toothpaste?

:)