Landlords will usually be responsible for painting a rental property – especially for maintaining wall paint after regular wear and tear. Tenants might be responsible for repainting if they have painted the walls without permission or caused damage that is considered more than just wear and tear.
When it comes to determining what is the responsibility of a landlord or the tenant, you can check the tenancy agreement. A good tenancy agreement will clearly lay out the responsibilities of each party.
If you’re a landlord, a solid tenancy agreement is the key to success. Making sure that the tenants know their responsibilities from the offset will avoid confusion, dispute or having to take costly legal action in the future.
We can help. At J Property Management, we draft robust tenancy agreements so that everyone is on the same page. If you’re unsure about what responsibilities fall with the landlord and what the tenant should be responsible for, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to help you draft a watertight tenancy agreement and stay fully compliant.
What are the Landlord Responsibilities for Painting in a Rental Property?
Landlords will usually be responsible for the general maintenance of paint as a party of the wider property maintenance. In rental properties, landlords are responsible for ensuring that the property is in good condition – repainting is a part of this.
If the paint peels or fades over time, this is considered wear and tear and is something that should be addressed by the landlord. If the paint is damaged as a result of wear and tear, the landlord should also take care of this.
Landlords are also responsible for repainting between tenancies so that any new tenants are moving into a place that is fresh and clean.
What Counts as Wear and Tear in a Rental Property?
Wear and tear refers to any damage or deterioration that occurs naturally over time from regular usage. For example, if you live in a property over a certain amount of time, the paint may fade, carpets may wear and walls may scuff. These are normal occurrences that happen when people are using a property.
Landlords are responsible for handling wear and tear in rental properties. Over time, they may need to make minor fixes and improvements to keep the property in good shape.
Wear and tear could include things such as:
- Fading wall paint
- Minor scuffs or scrapes
- Replacing worn carpets
- Buffing scuffs on hardwood floors
- Fixing loose hinges and handles
- Replacing appliances
When Might a Tenant Be Responsible for Painting in a Rental Property?
In some cases, tenants may be responsible for repainting including:
Damage
If tenants damage the walls – beyond what can be considered normal wear and tear – they may have to incur the costs of repainting. For example, this could include drawing on the walls or making excessive holes from nails. If they have made holes in the walls, caused any large stains or broken the walls, tenants will need to cover the cost of repairs.
Painting the walls without permission
If, during their tenancy, the tenants have painted the walls a different colour without getting permission from the landlord, they will be responsible for repainting them the original colour or covering repainting costs.
Neglect
As part of the tenant’s responsibilities, they should keep the property clean and tidy. If there are stains on the walls or damage to the paint as a result of failure to maintain the property, there may be financial consequences for the tenant.
How to Know Who is Responsible for Painting a Rental Property
In order to be 100% sure which responsibilities fall with the tenant and which fall with the landlord, you can refer to the tenancy agreement.
Landlords must provide all tenants with a clear lease agreement at the beginning of the tenancy to avoid any misunderstanding. This should clearly lay out painting responsibilities, as well as other factors like cleaning and maintenance of different aspects of the property.
Within the tenancy agreement, it will also outline when tenants may need to seek permission from the landlord. For example, most landlords will require tenants to ask for permission if they want to paint the walls of the property a different colour.
How Often Should Landlords Paint Rental Properties?
While there is not a specific requirement for how often landlords must repaint rental properties, they will be responsible for managing wear and tear – including peeling paint, discolouration or scuff marks. Repainting between tenancies is a good idea to keep the property fresh and clean and attract new tenants.
Can Tenants Paint a Rental Property?
Tenants will usually need to ask permission from the landlord before painting the rental property. Rules for this should be laid out in the tenancy agreement. If the tenant changes the paint colour, they will be responsible for returning it to the original colour before they move out and may need to pay for a professional paint job.
Do Tenants Have to Paint Rentals When They Move Out?
Not usually. The landlord will usually be responsible for decorating a rental property at the end of a tenancy. However, if the tenant has caused damage beyond wear and tear, or changed the paint colour, they may be responsible for painting.
Can Landlords Charge Tenants For Painting?
Only if the tenant has caused damage or made unauthorised changes to the wall paint. If the tenants have not made any major changes to the wall paint and have kept the property in generally good condition, there is no reason why the landlord would charge them for painting.
Avoid Tenant Confusion with Solid Tenancy Agreements from J Property Management
At J Property Management, we leave no room for confusion when it comes to landlord and tenant responsibilities. We draft watertight lease agreements which we go through with tenants to ensure full understanding before they sign. We also handle tenant sourcing to get reliable tenants who will treat your property like their own and save you costly repairs in the future.
From clear tenancy agreements to make sure everyone is on the same page, to conducting regular maintenance checks, J Property Management will make sure that your property is fully compliant and in great condition – all year round. Contact us today to get started.
