Have your renters requested to give the rental unit a new coat of paint?
To accommodate a greater number of tenants, most landlords choose neutral colors for their rental properties. The typical colors are white, cream, or gray, as they go well with most tenants’ choice in furniture and decor.
However, you might find a tenant who wants a different color, something that better reflects their personality. They might want to paint the room a subtle blue or mustard. How do you answer such a client?
Read this article from Evolve Nevada to learn more about the different ways of addressing this issue.
How to Respond if a Tenant Asks to Repaint Your Property
Response 1: Refusal
Property is a long term investment. Even as you lease the property, it’s important to think about the longevity of your amenities, appliances, and fittings. This includes the type and color of the paint on the walls.
That means you can choose to reject the tenant’s idea to repaint the walls. Explain to them in a polite and friendly way that this is simply your mode of operation.
You can also offer them alternatives. You can suggest the tenant use temporary wallpaper for the rooms that they wish to repaint.
You can even give specific recommendations on the type of wallpaper, quality, and application you’ll accept in the property. There are certain wallpapers that can be applied and taken off without causing damage to the wall.
Response 2: Acceptance under Certain Conditions
If you don’t want to reject the tenant’s idea, but still have concerns, you can choose to accept it but under certain circumstances.
As stated earlier, you should be looking into the longevity of your property and the colors on the walls.
Certain colors might put off potential tenants from renting your property. If you let a tenant repaint your walls a particularly bright color, it might not appeal to future tenants, and you might have to repaint the property after they vacate it.
What you can do in this kind of situation is discuss allowable colors with the tenant, and agree on which rooms can be repainted. You may want to keep certain rooms and common areas neutral to appeal to a larger tenant pool.
If your property has any fittings such as stone fixtures or woodwork, you should also specify whether they can be painted on or not.
Another option that has worked for landlords in the past is charging a repainting fee.
Get a touch with a professional contractor in the area and get a quote from them. They can estimate how much it would cost to repaint the room to the original color once the lease expires, allowing you to set an appropriate fee amount.
Before establishing any additional fees, make sure to familiarize yourself with the local rental laws to ensure to remain compliant. If you have any questions regarding Nevada’s laws or policies, get in touch with a legal professional who can advise you accordingly.
Response 3: Full Acceptance
This particular response allows the tenant to customize a space to their own liking, so make sure to weigh the pros and cons of such a response before saying yes. What do you stand to gain from such a stance? Will the property be able to maintain its allure in the long run?
It’s also important to remember this response doesn’t negate the need for a discussion with the tenant. Talking to the renter will allow you to understand what they plan to do in terms of colors and which rooms they plan to repaint.
It’s recommended that both parties agree on the painting plan and sign it off on paper. An official document will bind the tenant to adhere to the terms, provisions, and potential penalties in cases of violations.
Rules around Painting
When discussing repainting with tenants, it’s important to look into any relevant federal statutes, Nevada’s landlord-tenant laws, and the local county ordinances.
You should consider the laws’ requirements and health considerations when the paint contains lead. Your tenant, should they decide to repaint, should be made aware of the same.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a tenant painting the premises without the landlord’s knowledge or authorization may be a violation of the lease agreement.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, you may be able to use the tenant’s security deposit to cover the costs or repainting. If in doubt, always check in first with a legal consultant.
Conclusion
Allowing a tenant to paint the premises comes with certain pros and cons. It’s important to analyze each situation carefully before making a decision. If you’re unsure how to proceed, consider reaching out to a property professional that can help!
Evolve Nevada is the leading service provider in Reno and Sparks. We’re a reliable property management company known for our comprehensive management solutions. We manage a wide range of residential options from single-family homes to vacation rentals to multi-family properties.
Are you looking for a property management company to manage the needs of your rental? Get in touch with Evolve Nevada today!
