Does A Tenant Have to Paint When They Move Out (2024)

Parvinder

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“Does a tenant have to paint when they move out” is a very common question among tenants as many times landlords ask them for the painting charges. I am an owner of two rental properties, so I know about the laws regarding the same very well.

Do Tenants Have to Paint When Moving Out

For this, I would like to explain the meaning of general wear and tear to the rented property first. General wear and tear are those that occur due to normal everyday usage by the tenant. Every deterioration that occurs owing to usage and not due to any mishandling or accident, accounts for general wear and tear.

For instance, residue marks on the flooring due to limited mopping, discoloration of the bathroom and kitchen tiles, Fading of wall paints, etc.

Generally, the landlord has to bear the costs of general wear and tear.

Similarly, stained kitchen sinks and dirty switchboards could be a result of the tenant’s neglect of the house. However, it isn’t inconceivable. So, the landlord will have to bear these costs. However, the same isn’t true of a broken kitchen sink and faulty switchboards. The tenants will have to pay for these charges.

To avoid any confusion and arguments, you should always include a painting clause in your rental agreement.

Painting Clause In Rental Agreement Sample

“In the event of the tenant painting the wall a different color or damaging the wall, the same must be replaced/repaired and the property restored to the original condition at the time of vacating the property, failing which a sum up to one month’s rental shall be deducted from the security deposit towards such restoration and repairs.”

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Now, you know the answer to your query on “does a tenant have to paint when they move out?”

Ravinder Singh

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I came to know about the painting charges clause in rental agreement when I first rented an apartment in Bengaluru. When I read my rental agreement, I came across a clause which talked about me (the tenant) paying for painting the house when I vacate the rented house. I was confused about it so I asked my landlord about it and he was patient and kind enough to explain everything to me.

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Can a landlord charge you for painting after you leave?

It mostly depends on the tenant painting agreement. Most rental or lease agreements provide that if the damage goes beyond "normal wear and tear," the renter is liable for paying for the necessary repairs. Any repainting required to repair typical wear and tear on the apartment or home shouldn't be the responsibility of the tenant. Check the terms of your rental agreement by reading it. However, what constitutes "normal wear and tear" is a matter of interpretation. It is not normal wear and tear if you left the house with significant holes in the walls from large paintings that you hung behind the couch with enormous nails. If your child has painted her bedroom walls with a purple crayon, that is hardly typical wear and tear. This is not typical wear and tear if there are enormous greasy hand prints on all the walls leading to the garage because the tenant's brother was working on the tenant's Harley in the garage without washing his hands before entering the house. As a landlord, I've dealt with all of these scenarios and deducted the expense of cleaning, patching, and repainting from the tenant's security deposit. However, if you have lived there for four or five years and the paint is simply worn from normal use and the walls are unharmed, you shouldn't be required to pay for re-painting, especially if the house wasn't newly painted when you first moved in.

Even if you intend to repaint the walls before moving out, you should still get your landlord's approval before starting your initial painting project. If you paint without permission, paint the walls an odd colour and fail to repaint, or produce damage beyond ordinary wear and tear that necessitates repainting, your landlord has the right to deduct the cost of repainting from your security deposit.

Your landlord shouldn't charge you for that painting if you complied with all the terms of your lease and the walls just need to be painted after you move out.

I hope this explains to you all about painting charges clause in rental agreement.

Read More:What are the cost plus labour charges for painting 1000 sq. ft?Should the tenant pay the painting charges if they are asked to vacate for no reason?

Farah Ali

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I too had this question when my rent agreement was about to expire. I had kept my rented house very neat and clean and the house required no painting to be done. So I was also searching if I needed to get the house repainted. That is when I came across painting clause in rental agreement sample India on NoBroker Forum through Miss Parvinder’s answer. You can refer to her sample for help.

Is the tenant responsible for painting when they move out?

The answer is no if it has not been mentioned in your rent agreement. Tenants are not required to pay for normal wear and tear.

With the exception of the situation below, most landlords allow normal wear and tear.

• Before signing the rental agreement, all parties must thoroughly read it since they are required to abide by the terms and conditions outlined therein. Details about the costs for rental house painting deduction is included.

• Structural alterations such as drilling large holes, demolition construction debris, leaving grease marks, and leaving any other clearly apparent dirt marks on walls.

  See Also

  Getting repairs done while renting

• A variety of wall decorations and paintings are present.

Be aware that the majority of landlords may in their rental agreement format painting charges that are quite high. Most painting and cleaning expenses come under the Rs. 12,000 limits, Despite using branded materials and expert labour, it is not worth more than this.

Most landlords won’t let you paint your apartment unless you promise to repaint the walls before you leave in the original hue (or a neutral shade). However, painting is a common task that landlords must accomplish. For routine maintenance, landlords often need to repaint their property every few years. In most cases, landlords are not allowed to take money out of your deposit to pay for paint or to hire a painter.

I hope now you have the answer to the question, ‘do I have to paint my rental before leaving?”

This is all about painting clause in rental agreement sample India.

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