Do I Have To Pay For New Paint and Carpet If No Lease In Place For Long-Term Tenant?

This week a landlord asks if he should have to pay for new paint and carpet for a long-term tenant who does not have a lease just because the tenant’s daughter asks, is the question this week for Ask Landlord Hank. Remember Hank is not an attorney and is not offering legal advice. If you have a question for him please fill out his form below.

Hi Landlord Hank:

I have a tenant renting a three-bedroom apartment in a two-family home from me for the past 30 years. He has never had a lease. He lived mostly on his own. His daughter now lives with him on and off when she’s around.

She now tells me she wants me to paint the entire apartment and change all the carpet.

Is this my responsibility?

I have always paid for any repairs, plumbing, heating, electrical new refrigerator, new stove.

Am I responsible for paint and carpet? Again, no lease.

–Frank

Hi Landlord Frank,

It is your responsibility to take care of your property.

It’s great that you’ve had the same tenant for 30 years, but I don’t think it is too much for a tenant to ask for a paint job and new carpeting.

Did the daughter tell you that they are going to foot the bill and just ask for your permission to do the job or are they asking for you to pay for this?

I suggest you put your tenant on a lease so everything is spelled out.

If this were my tenant, and they had been a great tenant for many years, I would want to keep them happy.

Sincerely,

Hank Rossi

Each week I answer questions from landlords and property managers across the country in my “Dear Landlord Hank” blog in the digital magazine Rental Housing Journal.    https://rentalhousingjournal.com/asklandlordhank/

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