Deduction From Security Deposit for Painting?

I’ll be moving out of my rental shortly and one of the bedrooms probably will need to be re-painted.

When I moved in the paint was sparkling new and now, well, after living there for two years my teenager has kind of made a mess of the walls. I’ve done some patching and cleaning of the walls but it may not not satisfy the landlord.

Some questions:

–If my landlord seeks to deduct something from my security deposit — maybe for a full painting of the room or even spot painting — what’s a reasonable amount?

–Should I volunteer to paint the room myself?

–Or should I offer some cash now to head off their request?

My security deposit is around $3K, fwiw.

angelique.m.west

in General Discussion 8 years and 5 months ago

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sew536 | 8 years and 5 months ago

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two year is not bad for a paint job its normal wear,

angelique.m.west | 8 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks slopefarm.

slopefarm | 8 years and 5 months ago

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LL here. I assume tenants are going to hang pictures, touch the walls with greasy fingers, etc. I consider painting, including patching holes for simple wall hangings, to be ordinary wear and tear. If there was damage beyond that I’d have to start thinking about it., depending on how easy and inexpensive to fix. But if i wanted to avoid that kind of wear and tear, I’d avoid renting to families with teens in the first place. We rented to a family with young twin boys. We knew there would be wear and tear. the answer is not to stick people with a surprise at the end of the tenancy.

So I would just wait. See if LL wants to withhold something (and don’t ask), and if he does, have a calm discussion and maybe a walk through to discuss where he draws the line between wear and tear and real damage.

EJR | 8 years and 5 months ago

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landlords are supposed to repaint before a new tenant moves in and from what you describe, it doesn’t sound like anything more than normal wear and tear. I agree with others that you should leave it be and see what happens.

angelique.m.west | 8 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks.

BobMarvin | 8 years and 5 months ago

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You might want to leave things be. Your landlord might consider the damaged to be normal wear and tear and, if not, might deduct less than you’d offer