He's giving you a taste of "depreciation" right back at you.

My only worry is it may give them a bad taste and turn them off enough to not respond.

Are things not to your taste, but are good or do you have bright orange floors? 

There is special expanding foam that has a sour taste that is supposed to deter them chewing through it. 

I guess it all comes down to your budget, your tastes, and what the overall tradition is in the area that your property is in.

Maybe even look into some vinyl faux stone panels if they are cheaper so they don't stick outward from the wall / stairs.If you go too specific to a taste too it can turn someone off & have them think, 'well thats one thing I have to replace' that is not my style

So, instead of looking for problems, they overlook them.This is why I learned not to bother showing an apartment until it was move-in ready, too.You can't paint to suit everyone's tastes, but you can paint a color that's not offensive to anyone. 

Wow she must have expensive tastes for food and high utility bills...or she's full of it.

Things like this can leave a bad taste in people’s mouth.

I would probably start out managing them myself just to get a taste, but then eventually outsource to a property management company.