Tenant installed wall-mounted TV

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Tenant installed wall-mounted TV

Lois S.
Investor · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2013 · 195 posts · 52 votes

My lease states there are to be no alterations to the property without LL approval.

If a tenant wants a big TV, couldn't they just put it on a TV stand?

What do you do at move-out when a tenant has installed a wall-mounted TV ?  I'm assuming the holes in the wall will be larger than those left from hanging a picture.

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Brendon Pishny
Investor · Olathe, KS · Member since 2017 · 123 posts · 99 votes
4y

@Lois S.

I have a sheet I give every tenant at move in that states the charges for specific damage. For large holes I charge per hole. So when they move out just deduct that amount from their security deposit. I fell it helps to be upfront at move in because then they know what they owe for the damage. Hope that helps.

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  • Jonathan Kim
    IT · Middlesex, NJ · Member since 2015 · 24 posts · 9 votes
    10y

    Some plaster and paint. Not too much of a big deal in my opinion. Since becoming a landlord I've learned to be handy and it will save you tons of money not hiring people to do it for you. Youtube.com is my go to place on figuring out how to do things.

    2Reply
  • Alexander FelicePro Member
    Guy with Great Hair · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    Telling the tenants they don't have permission to hang a TV is going to be 10x the hassle of filling in a few holes after they leave.

    Let it go

    [email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #301
    1Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    10y

    Next time you meet with them point out the fact that alterations to the unit are a violation of the lease. Give examples so he knows there is absolutely nothing they can do without asking permission and that the answer will be no. Then ask him point blank how he is going to resolve the issue of the wall mount. Back him into a corner and force him to present a solution to appease his landlord. Then let it go.

    If you do not address the issue with them they have cart blanch to do what ever they please to the unit in the future.

    1Reply
  • Justin Fox
    Software Developer · Vidor, TX · Member since 2015 · 922 posts · 639 votes
    10y

    Bill them 2.00 for the little bit of wall putty, texture and non-matching paint you use to fix the gigantic TV mount holes.  

    0Reply
  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    10y

    @Lois S., I agree with @Thomas S.'s advice to make sure they know that your lease doesn't allow this and that you are aware of it. Keep a note in their file for when you first discovered the wall mounted tv, and when you talked to them about it.

    I wouldn't ask them how they're going to fix it, because that's how you get really bad repair jobs. Keep receipts of how much it costs you to repair the holes when they leave, and take that out of their security deposit.

    [email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
    BiggerPockets
    3Reply
  • Jonathan G.
    Investor · Marietta, GA · Member since 2015 · 382 posts · 258 votes
    10y
    Alternatively, you can just require that they leave the Mount (preferably a universal type) on the wall when they leave. They can keep their TV but you keep mount and as long as it stays, there's nothing to fix. Just make sure you require than they take the hardware off the back of their TV that matches it before they leave. Universal mounts also come with hardware to mount other types/sizes of televisions so it just becomes a part of the property For our most recent property , seller had an older 36 inch television mounted in the basement and I just required that it stayed at the sale. I would consider the television virtually worthless however leaving it was less trouble than removing and fixing the wall and the current lease states I am not responsible for any repairs of this television. If it ever breaks, I'll toss it in the trash and leave the mount on the wall
    0Reply
  • Lois S.
    OP
    Investor · Brentwood, CA · Member since 2013 · 195 posts · 52 votes
    10y

    These are interesting replies.  Looking at another LL website, and finding totally different responses to this subject in previous posts.   Some LLs write into their leases that wall mount TVs aren't allowed, or that tenants have to have mounts professionally installed & leave the mounts at move out.

    I'd be afraid some installer will put a hole thru my plumbing in the wall.

    0Reply
  • Brandon Holley
    Lenexa, KS · Member since 2015 · 206 posts · 53 votes
    9y

    I've allowed wall mounts in my units. However they must be installed by my handyman and I set the expectations that they have 2 choices when they move,

    1) Leave the wall mount 

    2) Take the wall mount and repairing the wall back to original condition will be done by my handyman and will come out of the security deposit. 

    I've received no push back and my tenants are happy. 

    3Reply
  • Ash S.
    Member since 2022 · 32 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    I have the same real life situation. Lease clearly says no nails or screws etc...As a nice landlord - I provided them every wall hanger, key hanger, towel rings and everything. But in today's inspection - they themselves installed the TV mount in a odd position and moreover it's not mounted properly. Screws are 75% out and not even in the studs. Upon asking, tenant is stating that "I thought it should be okay"? and further added that this house is not good as it seems studs are not properly done. It's a brand new house and first tenant. I simply feel bad and this is a 3rd lease violation by this very high maintenance tenant? Can i ask his renter's insurance to fix it as I am very sure that it won't be fixed for ever. 

    If I had allowed it, I would like a specific mount(universal which can accommodate all types of TV) to be installed by a professional. Currently, the mount is not inserted fully and bolts are clearly outside. Moreover, what if the next tenant's TV doesn't fit this? Even if that fits, what if they don't like that height? Ideally tenants should only put TV on the TV stand or on the floor in the rental places.  I want this mount to be taken out towards the end of the lease. Studs need to be filled in plus the back wall fully restored to what it was at the time of lease start.

    Luckily I have one month's rent but I am more than cautious with this tenant. Almost 6+ years of being landlord for 3+ properties with around 8 tenants - first time I have a tenant which loves to violate the lease and then still want to argue on that?

    0Reply
  • Eliott Elias
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    They should be allowed to hang a wall mount, it is considered regular wear and tear as well. Can't take that away from the deposit 

    1Reply
  • Cameron MoorePro Member
    Insurance Agent · DFW, TX · Member since 2021 · 348 posts · 245 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Ash S.:

    I have the same real life situation. Lease clearly says no nails or screws etc...As a nice landlord - I provided them every wall hanger, key hanger, towel rings and everything. But in today's inspection - they themselves installed the TV mount in a odd position and moreover it's not mounted properly. Screws are 75% out and not even in the studs. Upon asking, tenant is stating that "I thought it should be okay"? and further added that this house is not good as it seems studs are not properly done. It's a brand new house and first tenant. I simply feel bad and this is a 3rd lease violation by this very high maintenance tenant? Can i ask his renter's insurance to fix it as I am very sure that it won't be fixed for ever. 

    If I had allowed it, I would like a specific mount(universal which can accommodate all types of TV) to be installed by a professional. Currently, the mount is not inserted fully and bolts are clearly outside. Moreover, what if the next tenant's TV doesn't fit this? Even if that fits, what if they don't like that height? Ideally tenants should only put TV on the TV stand or on the floor in the rental places.  I want this mount to be taken out towards the end of the lease. Studs need to be filled in plus the back wall fully restored to what it was at the time of lease start.

    Luckily I have one month's rent but I am more than cautious with this tenant. Almost 6+ years of being landlord for 3+ properties with around 8 tenants - first time I have a tenant which loves to violate the lease and then still want to argue on that?


    No chance the Renters insurance would even consider covering this. But I would let them know that if the wall mount seems to be mounted incorrectly, that it is adding liability to you and the tenant. 

    [email protected]682-593-4016
    0Reply
  • Ash S.
    Member since 2022 · 32 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    Tenants has Statefarm renter's insurance. I already talked to Statefarm and they are going to cover it if it is not part of lease agreement and tenant did this.  In my lease agreement specific details are mentioned in terms of kind of renter's insurance that tenant should be having along with listing me as a landlord so that i can always reach out to renter's insurance company. 

    Please do some research before posting a response.

    0Reply
  • Brendon Pishny
    Investor · Olathe, KS · Member since 2017 · 123 posts · 99 votes
    4y

    @Lois S.

    I have a sheet I give every tenant at move in that states the charges for specific damage. For large holes I charge per hole. So when they move out just deduct that amount from their security deposit. I fell it helps to be upfront at move in because then they know what they owe for the damage. Hope that helps.

    3Reply
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