Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 7 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

5
Posts
1
Votes
Malcom Smith
  • White Plains, NY
1
Votes |
5
Posts

New picky tenant painting demands - Help!

Malcom Smith
  • White Plains, NY
Posted

Landlord here: I've a new tenant moving in next week and during the walk-through he points out some minor issues on the walls in two of the rooms (previous tenant hung pictures so there's some pin holes and marks on the paint). So he wants those rooms repainted and also wants his bedroom repainted a different color.

He has a "painter friend" lined up to do the work so I offer my tenant $450 toward painting the two rooms and tell him he will pay for the color change in the bedroom as that's personal preference (nothing wrong).

Tenant says that's not enough money for his painter who wants $450 per room (total $1350) so we agree in writing he will pay me the $450 for the bedroom and I will get the painting done, covering the cost of the other two rooms myself (I know I didn't have to do this but I was trying to be nice).

So I paint the rooms myself (they are perfect) but he's now refusing to pay saying he thought he was getting a professional painter for his money.... and wants to pay me less.

He hasn't even moved in yet and I'm very worried I have a needy problem tenant. Am I within my rights to do painting myself? He has signed an 18 month tenancy agreement but not paid security, rent or the agreed painting cost. 

Can I withhold keys if all of this is not resolved before move-in?

Exasperated... 

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

922
Posts
638
Votes
Justin Fox
  • Software Developer
  • Vidor, TX
638
Votes |
922
Posts
Justin Fox
  • Software Developer
  • Vidor, TX
Replied

Those minor issues are for the condition report and he can jot them down there.  When the tenant asked you about painting you should have simply said NO, and kept saying NO.  Or tell him, "Sure, but the rent will be (1350/12) more per month."

You shouldn't commit to any type of painting job unless you have a lease signed, deposit money in hand and in this case, the 450.

Get with an attorney and see what you can legally do.  This guy is already complaining about stuff and stiffing you money owed.  This guy is a real douche.

Unfortunately, this may be an expensive lesson for you : (.

Good luck!

Loading replies...