do most of your tenants ask for fresh walls to trash it themselves?

[Mike Franco]

A lot of people ask if my rental will be painted. Some want to paint it their own tan color.

do you find that these people who ask for fresh walls are the same ones who end up trashing the walls?

[Jon K.]

I don't allow wall paint. No way, no how.

Not by them, nor do I paint it upon their request. I'm their landlord, not their interior decorator. They want to paint walls they can buy their own property. I don't change my property to their desires, whether they want new paint, granite, stainless, hardwood, or whatever other crap they like. I rent as it is.

If you cave to one cosmetic request, I find that they'll ask for more and more later on. Maybe not all do, but that's what I've found.

If you allow them to paint, you'll end up with paint on the floors, ceiling, windows, crown molding, etc. They might even paint the walls some ridiculous color.

If they paint my walls against my lease or trash my house, it comes out of their security deposit.

I have my walls painted a nice neutral color that's easy to retouch.

Regardless of who asks, you'll end up with nail holes in the wall and likely some dirt/candle fume/a few dents and dings. A person asking for tan walls could be just as lazy or good as a person who couldn't care less what color the walls are. I don't allow paint. Like my property? Great. If not, they can live somewhere else.