This home improvement site is encouraging tenants to redo kitchen cabinet doors and sand and paint countertops. What would you do if your tenant did this? www.hometalk.com/17912650/rental-apartment-kitchen-updo.

I don't see that it tells TENANTS to do it, just that it tells how a person did it.

In some places, the walls are bare, and tenants actually bring their own cabinets to hang. Those tenants rent the same place for YEARS. My BIL did that in Geneva, Switzerland. Note, that was in Europe, not the US.

Anyway, it is in my lease not to paint or change anything.

That said, someone in my area keeps posting on FB about how to leave a rental, including filling the holes in the walls with putty and a few other things. I would rather they did not. I'd rather evaluate the place and made a decision that see white spots in the walls and HAVE to paint.

Meanwhile, If I saw this in my place and the job was really well done, I'd probably tell them it was unauthorized paint, etc, and bill them to replace the countertops and what a new, professionally done paint job on the cabinets would cost once they move out.

One of my West Hollywood tenants on Section 8 wanted their unit repainted after only 2 years. I complied so my contract with Section 8 would be renewed.

Then these tenants wanted the Kitchen Cabinets re-varnished. I handed them the Booklet on "Lead" and agreed to sand and re-finish the kitchen cabinets, SO LONG AS THEY REMOVED EVERYTHING FROM THE KITCHEN CABINETS. They had a 8 month old baby and older cabinets varnish finished may contain lead.

I showed up on the following Monday and the tenants refused to remove plates, glasses, bowls and all kitchen stuff. They said they would "wash" things after I was done.

The short of this my tenants reported me to Section 8 and West Hollywood Housing who advised them to hire a "Painter" and "deduct" costs from next months rent.

Their baby got lead poisoning and A law suit was in the making. Because I know how things work, I was able to play dumb and get the City to "set me straight" that since I didn't refinish the cabinets my tenants had the right ( as they were advised) to have the work done and deduct the cost from my rent.

Nothing about getting a licensed painter with "LEAD" abatement credentials.

In court I proved that I complied with the law. Gave them a "Lead" booklet, provided them instructions. Then when the tenants failed to clean out their cabinets, I agreed to come back and do the work -- after they had removed everything from the kitchen. And that the "CITY" and "Section 8" gave them Bad incomplete advise that got the unit contaminated with lead dust.

The painter had no license and knew nothing about lead paint. The judge agreed that I done my job and was NOT responsible for the events that caused their child's poisoning.

kat,

What does your lease say?

My lease is clear: Resident may not paint, paper, or make alterations of any kind without written permission from management. A fine of $250 per room will be added to repaint back to management's neutral colors.

Cabinet repainting minimum $300.

Words on paper are just words but can defend you in court. I find our "oddly painted rooms" problem dropped significant;ly when we started doing a Lease Orientation Meeting with the new res at signing. The above clause is in bold type and we read it to them, they initial next to it. Now they know.