Should I Allow my Tenants to Redecorate?

Some people completely distance themselves from their rental property. They’re happy to keep the cash rolling in and let the tenants take control. On the other hand, there are landlords who view their rental property as their baby and want to know if the tenants so much as mount a picture on the wall. It can be especially difficult to view your property as an investment if you previously lived there, or if you spent months and a serious amount of money doing up the property to a high standard before putting it on the rental market. However, there comes a time when you need to let go and distance yourself from the property.

Home Sweet Home

If a prospective tenant is going to respect the property and look after it, they need to feel like it’s their home. And part of feeling at home is tailoring your space to suit you. Whilst no one wants to think of a newly redecorated flat being attacked by DIY novices wielding cans of magenta paint, there has to be a certain amount of give and take on the part of both landlord and tenant. If your tenant asks if they can redecorate, you should take this as a sign that they want to stay in the property for a long time. However, you’re quite within your rights to put a limit on the colour palette, or ask to check the work once it’s been completed.

Added Value

If done well, coat of paint could actually improve your property and it might be that your tenants are doing you a favour, especially if you haven’t painted for a few years and the property could do with a freshen up. However, it’s also worth remembering that a bad paint job could put off future tenants and you might end up redecorating again before putting the property back on the market.

Cost Implications

If the property really is in need of a little TLC your tenant might ask you to pay for the paint and materials. In which case, it might be worth spending a little extra and getting a professional decorator to do the job. A couple of days’ work could see the average flat completely repainted to a high standard and will give you peace of mind about the quality and the finish.