Deposits and damage charge for irrepairable damage to a rental

[Marian Smith]

My tenant spilled latex paint on the patio...and something else that looks like rust.  Concrete is porous so I doubt it can be cleaned.  Do I hire a sandblaster or charge a damage fee; and if the later, how much?  And how is the amount justified?  she also spilled candle wax on the limestone fireplace.  I will use an iron and brown bags to melt and soak it it up  (fingers crossed).  I would like to charge her for my time.  I know I sound like a hag, but this tenant is such a slob that I didn't renew her lease.  I resent her treating such a nice property with such disrespect and want to charge her for damages....but it sounds like if I dont hire a pro, I cant charge. Thanks.

[JD Martin]

There's no such thing as irreparable damage; everything can be repaired, even if it takes razing and redeveloping.

Latex paint should just sit on the surface. Scrape it up with a scraper and use a power washer to knock out any remaining residue. Power washer should take out rust. Candle wax on fireplace: scrape up the big stuff, use a hair dryer or heat gun with something absorbent to wick up the rest, or use a wax dissolver such as mineral spirits.

Personally, I wouldn't see any of this as something I would try to collect. Spilled wax and a rust mark on a concrete patio is not only not a big deal but also just happens in normal living. There's really no such thing as annoying tenant charges; that's one of the things you get paid for from rent.