It’s recommended for landlords to paint their property in safe, neutral colors, such as white or cream. Not only will it make the property look clean and new, but it will also attract more potential residents.
When the resident moves in, however, the resident might not like the colors. And your resident may then ask your permission to repaint it.
There are several reasons your resident might want to repaint the property. It’s possible that your resident got tired of seeing white or cream walls every single day. You can’t blame your resident for wanting a change of view.
Another possible reason might be your resident wants to add a bit of personality to the property. The resident wants a more vibrant color to brighten up the living area or other rooms. Residents can have different reasons for wanting to repaint the property, but it will be up to you to approve or disapprove the request.
There are some things you can ask yourself before you make a decision.
- Do you want your current resident to stay longer?
- Does your property look modern and appealing as it is?
- Do you have available time to oversee the painting sessions?
- Does your resident want to execute major changes in the property?
- Will your resident agree to repaint it back to the original color upon move out?
As a landlord, you need to consider all the pros and cons of allowing your resident to paint.
Pros
- If your property feels like home, your resident will stay longer.
- You will save on costs for a repaint if the resident will pay for the costs.
- The new color might be attractive to future residents.
- It will make the property look new and increase its rental value.
Cons
- If sloppy work is done, it will be costly to have it fixed.
- Once the resident moves out, you might need to repaint it to the original color.
- Hardwood, carpets and cabinets might be damaged because of accidental spills.
- Major changes can cause other damages, such as plumbing leaks.
After carefully reviewing all the pros and cons, choose among the options available to you:
Let Them Freely Paint
It’s possible to retain your residents longer if you allow them to paint. Of course, residents don’t stay solely because of the colors of the walls.
However, allowing your residents to paint will make them feel you value their preference. It will also show that you trust them enough to allow them to freely paint.
If your residents can choose the color of the paint, it will make them feel more at home. This will encourage your residents to renew their lease for another year.
Let Them Paint but With Conditions
If you want to be seen as a flexible landlord, you can allow your resident to paint. There are many advantages to allowing your resident to paint. To mitigate the risks involved, you can set these conditions in place:
Get your approval first.
The resident needs to get your permission first before they make any changes to the property. Following this rule will show they respect you as their landlord.
Have a written agreement.
It’s important to put everything in writing before you allow your resident to paint. The agreement should include who will pay for the labor and materials needed to paint the property.
Decide on the color.
Make a list of acceptable colors. Then talk with your resident and agree on the color palette.
Make sure to pick a suitable color that is not too bold and has one or two hues.
Hire a professional painter.
Allowing residents to paint on their own might result in sloppy work. The paint can also spill over on the wall corners and windows. The risk of damages is lessened when you decide to hire a professional painter.
Require the resident to repaint it before moving out.
You can require your resident to repaint it back to the original color upon move-out. If non-refundable fees are allowed in your state, you can charge a non-refundable painting fee. If it’s not allowed, you can deduct the repainting fee from the security deposit.
Don’t allow the resident to paint on wood.
Residents shouldn’t paint on wood or other unpainted areas. This is because these materials need to be stripped just to restore them to their original state.
Don’t Let Them Paint
Because of all the risks involved, you can opt to not allow your resident to paint. Set a meeting with your resident and politely explain your decision to them.
You may want to maintain your property’s neutral look to be able to attract future residents. Or you simply want to protect your property from any damages or accidental spills. Whatever your reason, you should be firm with your decision and give your resident other options:
Use removable wallpaper.
This is also called “renter’s wallpaper” and can instantly change the look of the walls. It’s also easy to remove when your resident moves out. Usually, it will not leave any residue on the walls.
Freely decorate the interior.
Give your resident the freedom to do minor changes and decorate the property’s interior. Encourage your resident to change the curtains, add unique artworks or indoor plants.
This will ideally make your resident more comfortable living in your property.
Allow the changing of the hardware of cabinets.
Your resident can temporarily change the kitchen and bathroom hardware cabinets to customize it. However, make sure your resident keeps the original hardware and puts it back on before move-out.
It’s your duty as a landlord to maintain your property while keeping your residents happy. One way to keep them happy is to listen to their requests, such as painting the property.
However, you don’t need to approve all of their requests if you feel it’s not for the best. As a landlord, it’s up to you to decide whether or not to allow your resident to paint your rental property.
If you’re looking for full property management services or have any questions regarding this post, contact PURE Property Management Real Estate Sales and Property Management at (951) 225 -4020 or visit our website.
