Can a Landlord Charge for Painting?

Paint has a short useful life, and repainting after a multi-year tenancy is often normal turnover. Landlords can sometimes charge for unusual damage, but routine repainting is commonly disputed.

When the charge can be legitimate

• Large holes, gouges, or significant wall damage beyond normal use
• Unauthorized paint colors required full repaint
• Crayon/marker/graffiti required extra remediation

Red flags

• Charging for minor scuffs, small nail holes, or normal fading
• "Full repaint" after a long tenancy with no unusual damage evidence
• Flat "touch-up" fees with no explanation

What to ask for

• Photos showing the specific damage claimed
• Invoice describing labor/materials and which rooms/walls were repainted
• Any move-in condition documentation to compare against

How to dispute

1. Request photos proving the damage claimed.
2. Ask whether the charge includes routine repainting (turnover cost).
3. Point to move-in/move-out photos and tenancy length.

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