Are Landlords Obligated to Repaint Between Tenants?

By E-Renter Tenant Screening
Posted on August 17, 2012 under Landlord Tips | Be the First to Comment

Landlords and property managers often repaint rental housing walls and ceilings between tenants. Others have carpets professionally cleaned. Many do both. But is there an obligation for landlords to perform this maintenance?

According to our clients, some tenants think there is. However, that’s just not true. There are no laws or regulations regarding how often rental property owners must clean carpets, paint walls, replace appliances, fix ceiling fans or do any other type of cosmetic upgrades.

Smart landlords know that a fresh coat of paint and clean carpets will go a long way toward attracting quality new tenants. Who wants to live in a house or apartment with scuffed-up walls, chipped paint, dirty carpets or broken blinds?

Investing a few hundred dollars in new paint and carpet cleaning is an investment in your property, not an expense you might convince yourself you can’t afford. And remember, if the carpet is not in the same condition as when the tenant moved in, you may deduct cleaning expenses from the security deposit.

What about long-term tenants? Are they required to clean carpets, or is that a service landlords should provide? Tenants are required to keep rental properties in good condition, and that includes keeping things clean. But offering to clean carpets for long-term tenants is a smart move—it makes them happy, and helps the carpet last longer.