Do I need to repaint my rented house before leaving

Emilyjackson96

When I first moved in my landlord verbally told me I was allowed to paint the walls just not wallpaper, so I have pained the bedrooms and the chimney breast in the living room, now I'm leaving he has asked that it is in the same condition it was in when I moved in... does this mean I have to go over all the colour paint with magnolia (how it was)? Cause I really don't have the time or money, I've done loads of work on the back garden so it's a million times better than it was when I first moved in so I'm really !!!!ed!! Please tell me I don't have to paint

19lottie82

1 - Is there a dual signed inventory from when you moved in to the property?

2 - Did you get permission in writing from your LL that you could paint the walls anther colour?

Emilyjackson96

Yes there's an inventory and no I didn't get written because he told me I could paint. Plus he's a family friend so at the time I didn't imagine it would be a problem. The house is in much better condition than when I moved in so if he wants it in the same condition I might as well go out and trash the garden and not clean for the next month

19lottie82

Unfortunately yes, unless you can appeal to the LLs better nature, you will need to paint.

Emilyjackson96

Best get my sob story back out of the cupboard then :rotfl:

TheGardener

I would guess it depends to a degree what colour you painted it. If it's a neutral colour then a touch up should be fine but if you went for aubergine and sunset yellow - then yes, you probably have to paint it over.

Lloyd90

Why don't you ask the landlord rather than a bunch of unconnected people on the internet?

He/She may say what a great job you've done and leave it.

I've also had a friend who's tenants "painting" if you could even call it that was terrible and needed re-doing so undoubtedly they either had to get it sorted or lose their deposit.

AdrianC

You've got a choice - you can paint it, or you can argue it out over the deposit.

How long have you been there?
What state was it in when you moved in?
Is there a photographic inventory?
Is the deposit in a protection scheme?
How much do you value the relationship with this "family friend"?

FBaby

Has the landlord actually seen the painting? If so, did they say it needed painting afterwards? If so, I expect the colour is the issue.

[Deleted User]

The LL may want the house returned to its magnolia colour as this is the colour that causes least offense (will not put other prospective tenants off). Legally, you have to leave it in the state you found it, this often is understood to mean colours as well as condition (less wear and tear).

However you may, if you talk to your LL find he is happy to leave it as it is. So try talking to him/her. And get any agreement in writing.

The changes you made to the garden, were, I assume your decision. You did them to improve things for you primarily. So unless you have something in writing from the LL saying this is of certain value to him and it will allow other changes/deterioriation to go unnoticed, it doesn't make a bit of difference.

Do you or the LL have pictures of what the place was like when you moved in?