Tenant Move-Out Questions

[Rob Wilcox]

Hello BP! Looking for guidance from the more experienced property managers and investors! We are moving out our first tenant (who, BTW was truly fantastic). We were in the property over the weekend and the house, in general is in very good shape. Looks like the walls need to be painted, a couple chips in the drywall, one broken mini-blind. The carpet, floors, cabInets look good. Our questions: 1. what is and what isn’t normal wear and tear? Should we deduct from the security deposit the cost to paint the walls or is that just part of the deal? What about the chips In the drywall? 2. Before you move a new tenant in, do you paint everytime If the walls are scuffed? Thank you in advance!!

[Karl B.]

Hello. Part of it depends on how long the tenant was there. If they were there for a year and messed up the walls then deduct it. If they were there for way longer, like 4+ years I personally wouldn't charge them for the paint work/minor chips in the wall (large chunks are a different story). But I would deduct for the mini-blind. 

I don't paint every turnover because I'm in C neighborhood with monthly rents ranging between $400-$650. 

If I was renting out homes that rented for $1500+ a month I'd be more proactive in painting between tenants.