Applicant requesting full repainting 2 days before lease signing

[Deitra Curry]

We recently moved out of an investment home. Right before, we completely redid the home (new cupboards, woodworking , everything). It's an old bungalow style and I decorated it in "gingerbread type" colors:). It's a certain person who likes the colors, but the paint job was professional and suited the look of the home's architecture. The posting had clear pictures of the rooms and we recently approved 2 co-applicants to move in this week. One of the co-applicants walked through the home, last month, and loved it, emailing me several times as such. She only asked that I complete a few minor repairs (already in process) and we agreed on a few touch ups on the paint that were planned, carpet cleaning, etc. Since approval, I've held the home 3 weeks until the other co-applicant could move from out of state (he hasn't seen the home other than pictures). They both received all the lease paperwork a week ago to preview and have since thrown red flags with inquiries on provisions outlined with the application. I conceded on a few minor items.

Today, 2 days pre-lease signing, they asked to paint the whole house white. I declined. The original applicant communicated the love of the home and we processed all updates agreed on during the original walkthrough. She told me that she could not live with the colors for a year and countered if they could paint it professionally and paint it back when they move out in a year, would I accept that? I declined. Not shared with them, but I let a new tenant paint before at move in as her dad was a professional painter. She painted deep purple and chalk paint rooms & then broke the lease. We've accommodated other longer term tenants on reasonable requests like carpet replacement, as our investment. In this case, we have no history, nor do they appear to want to stay (nor will they with the colors). 

Thoughts ? Have any of you accepted a co-applicant who hasn't seen the home-via a "live" walkthrough? I think this is the first issue. Is there something I should put in the application about the paint and anything cosmetic, if I start this process over ? We have a checklist for move-in and already have a protective clauses on paint in our lease. The rent is reasonable and I've had interest from the ad that I haven't pursued, if they back-out.

[Russell Brazil]

This is why I dont take a property off the market or stop showing it til I have a deposit which is nonrefundable. Nothings certain til you have cash in hand.