It has always been my position that, as a landlord, I handle any costs that are due to normal wear and tear, equipment/materials defect, etc., and that the tenant pays for any damage that they cause though abuse or neglect.

I believe that when a tenant moves out that it's their cost or responsibility to address holes in walls from pictures and mirrors. It's not normal wear and tear. I can remember leases when I was a tenant that prohibited such holes.

What's your opinion?

Thanks!

What does your lease say? Does it prohibit hanging things on the walls? You say that tenant pays for abuse or neglect. I don't think picture holes fall into that category.

I think that it is expected that people will hang up mirrors and pictures. I wouldn't want to live in a house with blank walls.

I tell my new tenants to feel free to hang pictures etc to make their rental homely...so I expect some small nail/hanger holes in the wall at move out...

I also tell new tenants...IF they have huge holes in the walls due to party bangers ripping large holes in the walls, etc...then they can expect a deduction on their SD...

I agree that tenants should be able to hang pictures. I would never prohibit that. I also think that the tenants should be able to use the oven, but it's their job to make sure that it's clean when they leave.

I don't think that it's too much to expect them to patch (or pay for) holes in the walls.

I don't mind nail holes at all. I do tell tenants what kind of nails to use. (brads)

If it's a large heavy item, I will even offer to hang it for them.

Any holes smaller than a pencil is expected and normal unless your lease saids different.

You said "I can remember leases when I was a tenant that prohibited such holes"

After my first tenant moved out, I pulled out the nails, laid them on the kitchen counter and counted them. The house is 950 square foot 3 bedroom and I counted over 80 nails.

They were all small brads and it was easy to patch so I did not charge for them. Now my lease mentions the size and quantity of holes before I start charging.

I haven’t done a move out in awhile so I can’t remember the details. I think I charge for holes over 1/8” and maybe give them 5 or 6 smaller holes per room for free.

Does your lease address the issue?

My lease allows for pictures and the like to be hung with small nails. It specificaly states that tenants cannot use large nails, screws, anchors or molly bolts to hang items.

I'm with the others. I do not expect them to live with bare walls. I give them a small package of brads and offer to hang anything heavy for them.

Small nail holes that can be filled and touched up easily are expected. Most tenants will fill the holes, however, if they don't it is not major issue.

Any hole larger than a pencil is damage and the tenants are charged whatever it costs me to repair.

Don't let them paint. Don't let them fill holes. Don't let them repair ANYTHING!

I had a "helpful" tenant who used gobs of latex caulk to fill nail holes.

You just cannot anticipate when tenant dumbness will strike.

They did it but if you let them fix it, then it will be a bad job and you will have little lumps on the wall. Plus they don't pull the nails straight out and take out more plaster.

Do it yourself with a little plastic tub of joint compound and a little spreader to smooth it out.

Nah, I don't think you could charge for nail holes, thats petty stuff. Some tenants put huge screws in the wall which have been twisted around and really damage the wall-that I might deduct but how much could you charge.

I expect tenants will hang pictures. I almost prefer they do make it a home, because it is more likely they will stay longer. Unless the holes are from hitting the wall or are excessive number of them, I don't charge.