What do most of you do when a tenant ask about painting.
After 4 to 5 years I will supply the paint but will only pay for labor after ten years.
Is this the norm.
Thanks
We haven't had that issue yet. But when a tenant moves, I paint each time.
We have two where the tenant wanted new paint (didnt like the white) so I let them paint as long as I gave approval of a selected few colors they were interested in & type of paint (ie: oil, latex gloss, satin). They paid for it and did the work.
Years & years ago my landlords would buy the paint and/or tile and I would do the work if I wanted something different.
Also got my rent dicounted in places that needed to be painted and I did the work.
We also paint between moves. In our houses, generally the tenants stay 3-4 years and then move on. When a tenant stays longer and request painting, I pay for it completely, IF they want to extend their lease and slightly increase the rent.
Depending on the condition of your rental properties, I have found that it takes much more work to clean up after a tenant paints, rather than if you did it or hired it out! My door handles get paint all over them, mywood stained baseboards get overlapped with paint, etc. If you have a property that the tenants couldn't do much harm in, I would let them have at it!
I see it as though I'm in the "customer service" industry.
If someone needs new paint to be happy, then it's worth it to me if they've been there for 5 years and will be for another 10. If they were to move out to find a newly painted apartment, you'd be painting it anyways.
Obviously, you can only do so much, and some tenants will want everything done, but I think if it's truely important to them, you should make it a priority or encourage them to find a more accomodating apartment if they're too demanding.
I have tried painting units while tenants were living in them and I don't like it. The biggest problem is all the stuff they have that has to be moved. Of course, if they don't mind moving it and don't mind if I pick the color(off white)then I will paint it if it needs it. I'll let them paint a custom color if they want to do the painting and buy the paint.
Of course there are always exceptions. I have one tenant who has rented the same unit for 9 years. She is old and in poor health. She gets what she wants.
One of my tenants wanted to paint inside herself. I offered to pay for paint and had mixed feelings about her painting the place. So far, I haven't had anymore communication with her on this.
Normally, I do not do painting or replace carpets with a tenant in the property. I took this to an extreme with a tenant who was there for 17 years and I did a rehab after she moved.
I will paint as needed between tenants but am reluctant to let a tenant paint - had one do it and he painted the heater, the window frames, the outlets......etc... it was a mess and cost much more in the end than to hire a handyman. But then, a case by case decision is usually best. A fabulous, long term tenant gets more.....
We haven't had that issue yet. But when a tenant moves, I paint each time.
We have two where the tenant wanted new paint (didnt like the white) so I let them paint as long as I gave approval of a selected few colors they were interested in & type of paint (ie: oil, latex gloss, satin). They paid for it and did the work.
Years & years ago my landlords would buy the paint and/or tile and I would do the work if I wanted something different.
Also got my rent dicounted in places that needed to be painted and I did the work.
Hi Rayh78,
We also paint between moves. In our houses, generally the tenants stay 3-4 years and then move on. When a tenant stays longer and request painting, I pay for it completely, IF they want to extend their lease and slightly increase the rent.
Depending on the condition of your rental properties, I have found that it takes much more work to clean up after a tenant paints, rather than if you did it or hired it out! My door handles get paint all over them, mywood stained baseboards get overlapped with paint, etc. If you have a property that the tenants couldn't do much harm in, I would let them have at it!
Best of success!
BAMZ
I see it as though I'm in the "customer service" industry.
If someone needs new paint to be happy, then it's worth it to me if they've been there for 5 years and will be for another 10. If they were to move out to find a newly painted apartment, you'd be painting it anyways.
Obviously, you can only do so much, and some tenants will want everything done, but I think if it's truely important to them, you should make it a priority or encourage them to find a more accomodating apartment if they're too demanding.
I have tried painting units while tenants were living in them and I don't like it. The biggest problem is all the stuff they have that has to be moved. Of course, if they don't mind moving it and don't mind if I pick the color(off white)then I will paint it if it needs it. I'll let them paint a custom color if they want to do the painting and buy the paint.
Of course there are always exceptions. I have one tenant who has rented the same unit for 9 years. She is old and in poor health. She gets what she wants.
One of my tenants wanted to paint inside herself. I offered to pay for paint and had mixed feelings about her painting the place. So far, I haven't had anymore communication with her on this.
Normally, I do not do painting or replace carpets with a tenant in the property. I took this to an extreme with a tenant who was there for 17 years and I did a rehab after she moved.
I will paint as needed between tenants but am reluctant to let a tenant paint - had one do it and he painted the heater, the window frames, the outlets......etc... it was a mess and cost much more in the end than to hire a handyman. But then, a case by case decision is usually best. A fabulous, long term tenant gets more.....