Tenants repainting our properties

[Rick Bassett]

We have always allowed tenants to repaint the walls as along as they return the paint color back (in a professional manner) to our original colors by move-out time.

This policy hasn't worked out too well for us we have had to spend too much time and $$ repainting walls and trim for the tenants that didn't get around to returning the colors back and/or fixing what their version of professional painting is.

I'm thinking along the lines of not allowing any tenant repainting of our properties unless it is contracted directly through us and putting a penalty of something like $300-$400 per room for any unauthorized tenant painting that is done.

I'd appreciate any recommendations.

[Dawn Anastasi]

I never let tenants paint.  You don't know if they are professional painters, and 99% of tenants will not be.  They may get paint on the trim, on the carpet or floor, etc.  It's best when tenants ask to paint, just say no.  If they do paint, they bear the cost of you returning the room to how it was before they took occupancy.