Can a Landlord Charge for Drywall Repair?

Drywall repair can be legitimate for major holes and damage, but minor scuffs and small nail holes often fall under normal wear. The big issue is scope: patch vs full repaint.

When the charge can be legitimate

• Large holes requiring patching and sanding
• Significant gouges or broken corners caused by tenant actions
• Water damage caused by tenant negligence (case-specific)

Red flags

• Charging full room repaint for a small repair
• No photos of the wall damage
• Vague "repairs" line item with no breakdown

What to ask for

• Photos showing damage size and location
• Itemized invoice separating patch work from painting
• Any move-in evidence of pre-existing wall issues

How to dispute

1. Dispute scope and request itemization (patch vs paint).
2. Attach your move-out photos and tenancy length context.
3. Dispute repainting that looks like routine turnover.

Start with the dispute template, then escalate to a demand letter if the landlord won't correct it.