I have lived in this Apartment for 15 years, never late on rent.

During this very wet summer I have had multiple leaks on my ceiling and in my Walls. Every Ceiling is spotted heavily (with some moldy as well). Most walls are as well.

The Landlord plans to spot paint with a Different Color than my 15 year old eggshell white it came with.

Even in my Main Living room they plan to paint half the long wall with one color and leave the other half of the wall 15 year old unmatched white.

My Question is:

Is this legal and could this be grounds in Missouri for me to break my Lease and move without penalty?

Speaking for myself only, as a LL, I think that

you should give legal notice and move out.

(if things are the way you describe)

Choice of paint color is usually not a matter for anyone but the landlord.

You have already lived there for 15 years. It should not be hard for you to stick it out for the remainder of your present lease.

You might try to discuss it with the landlord. He may be willing to negotiate a termination date. He might also be open to discussing repainting in other colors, especially if you are willing to contribute to the cost of paint, maybe provide the labor yourself.

Mold renders the premises uninhabitable, and you are not required to remain living in an uninhabitable dwelling, lease notwithstanding.

Its not the color I mind

It is painting half the wall one color (A Continuous Wall, the longest and most visible in the apartment) and leaving the other half a different and 15 year old color that I have a problem with. The Line will be right in the middle of my Living room about at almost the halfway mark.

Dear LL:

I have been a good tenant for 15 years, and I would like to remain in your home.

But I find your solution to the damaged walls in my residence unacceptable - I think it will not look nice at all. I am asking you to reconsider your plans and at least paint the entire wall, rather than just half of it.

Thanks for your consideration.

Your Good Tenant

Unfortunately I already asked nicely. They told me that they do not repaint until tenants move out. They have no intention of making my Apartment look like it did before the damage their Buildings leaks caused.

Asking them nicely was actually the very first thing I said. They told me to wait and see how it looks. So even if they do the whole wall it will not be at once.

So to get that wall repainted I will have to move my Stuff out, and kennel my cats. If they only do half it one time and then by some miracle decide to do the other half another time.

I have sympathy for the tenant here. There may not be a legal responsibility to paint the entire wall but in 15 years he has surely made some good money for the landlord and is there no reward for being a good tenant for 15 years? Seems to me the tenant is making a very reasonable request. Certainly with the information given I would repaint the whole wall to make the tenant happy. Very small expense to do so.

So wait and see how it looks. Perhaps you have an EarlyTermimation Fee in your lease. I'm distributed by you find a new place and them using their goodwill to paint against the landlord, as if it's your free ticket to move.

Painting does not require you to moveout. All hhomeowners will agree.

LLord wants you gone-- with your furry friends. You didn't mention the CATS until the end. Why?

First question, did they fix the water leak?

Then, Did they scrub off the mold?

After 15 years, you can make the case for painting the entire unit. However, there is no need to move out to paint. Move everything to the center of the room, cover with plastic, then paint. I've don't it in my own home.

I have a year and a Half on my Current lease.

I have been VERY careful with my Cats.. For Instance in the Litter box room I put .5 Mil Painters Plastic 2 Layers deep across the entire Floor and Painter Tape it to the Walls. I change it about once a month or immediately if it is soiled.

I do not smoke in the apartment (I do not smoke at all)

I have paid on time for 15 years (Right before my new lease the old Manager retired and a new one has started)

I have also replaced the entire Carpet once at my own Cost. That was about 7 years ago.

Every Mark on the wall is from Water Damage or the Killzit they sprayed over it.

My cats are not the Issue. Plus I pay a hefty amount each month extra for them and have for 15 years. I also put a 400 Dollar deposit extra for them when moving in.

I must also note that I am in one of the most wealthy areas in the City, as such I am not used to such treatment or the idea of such a repair.

I pay well over $700 Dollars a month.

I hope this provides answers to some of your questions.

I also must mention that wall is not all they are painting.

Seeing as EVERY Ceiling in the apartment (I am a top floor apartment) is Water Damaged... They are painting EVERY Ceiling as well.

They are also Painting my Entire Bedroom as 3 of the 4 walls (Especially at the windowsill) are heavily damaged as well.

The plan to paint the Hallway ceiling in one color and leave the hallway walls another 15 year old color

The plan to Paint the wall along my Front Door and Half the Wall Ajoining it.. But leave the other 2 walls of the Living room the original eggshell white (15 years Old).

I will have a tone tone apartment.. with some walls one color, some another. With some walls matching the Ceiling and some not. And finally with the Main Wall in my Apartment Half painted one color and half left another (15 Years old).

This is all happening because of water leaks that occurred because their structure was not adequate to keep the water out.

James,

I guessing you want to stay.

I suggest living thru it and seeing the final result. I wonder if there is any chance the LL was joking.

I DO know there are some crazy LLs out there so nothign would surprise me.

I'm not advocating breaking lease rules, but MANY of my residents paint their homes. Check your lease. Many have no clause AGAINST painting.

Just like you laid carpet, you "could" paint.

Of tip the painter $20 to finish the wall.

tip: to seal water satins, the painter must use an oil base sealer. My preference is Zinsser BIN. It must CURE for 24 hours before adding a top coat of color. DRY is not enough. It must CURE to seal in the brown tannin from the stain.

Don't sweat this until you see what develops.

Zinsser BIN is NOT oil based it is alcohol based. It is a white tinted Shellac.

James - once a MONTH for multiple cats? Oh no no! At least once a WEEK clean those cat boxes. Sheesh!

And to say you are used to better things when you have been there 15 years...seems times have changed, my man.

I agree - if this is a real post, they want you gone.

I'm basically calling foul on your post ... I certainly don't know "in one of the most wealthy areas of the city" Chicago prices but in my little Podunk down I get more than $700 and it's not in any way shape or form a wealthy area. $700 doesn't even cover a one room unit in a complex. Not sure what you mean by "well over $700" ... why not just say the amount ...although it doesn't matter.

This one just has me scratching my head. Do you think threatening your landlord with "BTW I have already found a replacement apartment in a better part of town at about the same amount of rent each month. Can I use this as leverage to get them to Paint properly?" will work?

Heheh I am not changing the Litter Boxes every Month..

I clean them every day... All three of them (For 2 Cats).

Not I am talking about the Painters Plastic I cover the Rooms floor with.

I take .5 Mil Painters Plastic sheeting.. And Lay it 2 Layers deep on the Carpet. I then put the litter boxes on top of that. I change The PLASTIC Every Month or sooner if the cats have an Accident (Rare).

The Carpet in the Litter box room is the cleanest in the Apartment as a result. I would sit on the floor put a plate down on it and eat.

As for Market rent, they are currently having MAJOR Renovations to the Buildings and Land. The Leasing Office was condemned because the Maintenance pulled out a supporting beam a few years ago. That building has been completely torn down and is in the process of being rebuilt.

The Rent in the area I live in is usually between 800-1200 a month in rent for a 2 Bedroom (Although that will be 900-1000 Square feet.

My 2 Bedroom is 840 Square Feet and Market rent for here is between 750-800 (I Pay 720 and started 15 years ago at 595)

My rent went from 640 to 720 in the last Lease, I only stayed because of the New Management and their Promises as well as the Location (Walking Distance from my Vet, Dentist, Grocery, and Gas).

With this new episode of not fixing things proper (Compounded by the Construction Making Laundry Access Difficult and Parking Difficult) I want out..

They have just replaces ALL the windows in the Complex including mine (The Water Damage was not just in My Apartment but Complex wide (The Windows heavily contributed).

I have stayed here longer than I should have probably because of the Location of the Complex. But with this new 'fix' they plan I think this was the straw that broke the camels back.

I would have put up with the Construction outside my Bedroom, the lack of easy Laundry access and Parking and even the building woes.. But NOT with my Largest Wall painted half Old and Half new both different colors.

I have listened to all of you and appreciate all your suggestions. It appears as though I might be moving, as I found a Nicer 840 Square foot apartment in just as nice or even a nicer part of town at only 50 Bucks more than my Current rent. It has a Washer Dryer Room IN the apartment and is updated current (Meaning no more Cabinets, Counters, Doors, and Knobs from the late 70's and early 80's.)

At this point it does not matter what the Complex says about it, I have the money to buy out my Lease 100 Times over... Pay for the new apartment in full for a year and now have my Families backing which means I now have access to the Families Law Firm that is kept on retainer.

I will say thought that my Plan is to leave the Apartment with a Smile and a Handshake from the Complex Manager. I plan to do right by my landlord in spite of feeling as though they have not been straight with me.

This is not about retribution of revenge, it is about making sure my Living arrangements are acceptable and adequate for my needs and wants.

I feel now that I am not overreacting based on many of the comments here by Landlords, which was my primary reason for coming here and asking questions and seeking feedback.

Well the painting went ahead, and as expected it was horrific.

Turns out the Maintenance Head may have been misleading her abit about how bad the damage actually was.

After the Horrific Paint Job last week I had her do a walkthrough with me personally.

I am now getting a full apartment repaint and a different contractor will be doing the work.

I used much of the advice you all gave me and was able to get this done with animosity.

I am hopeful this resolution will be satisfactory and that I will be able to live out the remainder of my lease in relative comfort.

I think a move at the end of the lease will still be in order though.