Should I Allow Tenants to Paint My Rental Property?
Most landlords opt to paint their rental properties in neutral colors. That is because neutral colors make a property look larger and brighter, help appeal to a broad range of tenants, and are easier to maintain.
That said, neutral colors don’t always appeal to every tenant. Some tenants might want something more colorful or reflective of their personality. For this reason, it’s possible some tenants will ask you whether they can repaint the walls on your rental property.
In today’s blog, we’re going to examine what options you have when it comes to allowing tenants to paint your property.
Should You Allow Tenants to Paint Your Rental Property?
Does your tenant want to paint the walls of your rental property? If so, the following are responses you can opt for.
Don’t Allow Them to Paint the Rental
As a landlord, you have the right to turn down the tenant’s request. Just make sure to explain your decision and its reasoning in a kind and friendly manner.
When turning down the request, you can choose to give the tenant acceptable alternatives. For instance, you could suggest they install wallpaper instead. Most wallpapers are easy to install and remove without causing damage, and they come in versatile prints and patterns.
If the tenant agrees to install wallpaper, you can require that they only use high-quality options and ask that the installation be done by professionals to avoid any potential issues or
tenant damages.
Allow the Tenant to Paint the Walls under Certain Conditions
You can choose to let the tenant paint your rental property, but request that they abide by some, if not all, of the following conditions.
- Let them ask for your permission first. This will allow you to have the final say when it comes to the choice of colors and the type of paint the tenant will use. You’ll also have the chance to inspect the walls before the tenant starts to paint to make sure they are in good condition.
- Require they use high-quality paint. You may even want to specify the type of paint you prefer.
- Require they restore the original paint when they move out. This will ensure that the tenant returns the property in the same condition they found it in when they moved in.
- Make sure they agree to pay for any damages to the walls. This will help protect you from any financial losses that may occur if the tenant causes any damages to the walls during the painting process.
What Are the Benefits of Letting a Tenant Paint Your Rental Property?
Here are some of the benefits of allowing a tenant to paint your rental property.
It May Mean Long-Term Tenancies
Allowing a tenant to paint your rental property will enable them to personalize the space to their own liking. In turn, this can help the tenant feel comfortable and encourage them to rent the property for a longer period of time, helping you retain tenants and minimize turnover.
The Unit May Become More Attractive to Potential Tenants
As a landlord, you should always strive to minimize
vacancies, as they signal a loss of income. If you ever find yourself struggling to find a new tenant, you may want to consider allowing new tenants the freedom to paint the rental. This could give you a competitive edge over other rentals, and attract tenants who might not have found your property otherwise.
Before allowing these new tenants to paint your property, make sure to go over any conditions you may have. This will help you prevent wall damage and save on costly restoration fees.
You May Be Able to Earn More
Allowing
tenants to paint your rental property may benefit your return on investment. Since only a handful of landlords allow tenants to paint their walls, you may be able to stand out from the crowd, enabling you to rent your property quickly while charging more rent.
In order to make the process easier, you can also ask the tenant to repaint the property before they vacate it. Just remember to include these terms in the lease agreement, discuss them with the tenant beforehand, and keep a copy of all
important documents.
Conclusion
Before allowing a tenant to paint your rental property, make sure to weigh the decision’s various pros and cons. If you choose to allow the tenant to paint the property, it’s encouraged that you set certain conditions in order to keep your home and investment safe.
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MTD Property Management. We provide sophisticated property management solutions to Chicago landlords.
With us managing your rental property, you won’t have to worry about a thing. We’ll take care of all the responsibilities for you, from marketing the property and screening tenants to drafting lease agreements and responding to maintenance requests. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our property management services and how we can be of help to you!
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