I may have to repaint and/or change out the blinds. 

If it were me I would let it go and just charge them for materials for repair and repaint and cleaning.

Or at least repaint it, right?

And this is a highly educated community.OH, and then there was the decision to repaint all the units.  

I'm now at the point where I have two applicants that can move in for July and I'm having a tough time choosing between two of them.Application 1 (3 related + 1 friend) - application was submitted first ProsPlenty of income to pay - 5x+2 with great credit (>700)work with a friend who gave a good reference1 attended the same religious institution i did so I'm less inclined to think they would mess up the unit which could be naive 1 year of rental history with no issues paying a fairly higher renthigh job security (family business)Conshigher chance of short term rental - I'm basing this on their young age and the fact they could easily decide to move out on their own2 with bad credit (<600)Young - early twentiesbasement will need to be used as an additional bedroompotential parking issues (4 cars)"kiddish" rooms would need to be repaintedApplication 2 (1 adult + 4 kids)Proshigher chance of long term rental (>3 years) - I say this because the last two locations this person stayed for 3 and 4 years only to leave when the houses were soldfit to the house - in that the rooms are decorated "kiddish" now and don't need to be modified at all ie. repainted, etc)paid same rent for over 7 years w/no issuesCons43% of income to rentBad credit (<600)  - I'm told this is the result of issues with the absentee parentI should also say i have a relative who is a lawyer involved in real estate so he's prepared my lease and helped me out with what can be done legally etc.

I wanted to say no, I will not do anything, but ultimately I agreed to sand it down and repaint it.

We have always allowed tenants to repaint the walls as along as they return the paint color back (in a professional manner) to our original colors by move-out time.This policy hasn't worked out too well for us we have had to spend too much time and $$ repainting walls and trim for the tenants that didn't get around to returning the colors back and/or fixing what their version of professional painting is.I'm thinking along the lines of not allowing any tenant repainting of our properties unless it is contracted directly through us and putting a penalty of something like $300-$400 per room for any unauthorized tenant painting that is done.I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Repainting wallsOne approach for determining the amount that the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit for repainting, when repainting is necessary, is based on the length of the tenant's stay in the rental unit.

Got it cheap and if you use the same color, it's easier to touch up or just paint from floor to eye level, without having to repaint the whole apartment.The good thing about painting some really neutral color like that, is that it won't go out of style.  

Yeah,you really can't do big rehab jobs like reroofing with tenants occupying the property.I would definitely give them notice to move in 30 days and tell them when the property will be available again and what the new higher rent will be.Doubtful they will apply to return the property with the higher rent and you will be able to screen newer and better tenants.You should also repaint,carpeting,tile the kitchen,new appliances( Memorial Day Sales!)