Landlord Question and Answer Forum

My current tenant is moving out. She painted one wall in the living room bright pink despite the fact that the lease stated, "no painting without written permission." In the process of painting that wall she also got paint on the ceiling and the adjoining wall (not to mention the balcony but that's another issue). She didn't even use tape or remove the switch plates so all that got damaged. I am wondering if I can charge her for having to repaint the whole room. She wants to divide the job by 1/4 because she only painted one wall. However, we wouldn't have even had to repaint the room if she hadn't done this. She even wants to split the cost of the paint (which is expensive because it was a bold bright color by 1/4. What are your thoughts? I am not trying to rip anybody off but I feel we are out money because of her action that is in violation to the lease. She only lived there one year! Such a headache. Your help is appreciated.

You have the right to use the security deposit for the fixes and repairs. The tenant cannot request to split it up costs as this would be costing you and they did break the lease.

Posted by Patty H, on Saturday, November 22, 2014