Can I charge for cleaning and painting after a tenant moves out?

rosa_family Starter postOct 3, 2026

Conversation starter

A tenant moved out after two years. The place is dirty (grease on the stove, the fridge wasn't cleaned out) and she painted one bedroom dark purple without asking. Can I charge her for cleaning and painting?

5 replies

  1. tara.pm Starter postOct 3, 2026

    Your move-in pictures matter here. If you can show the stove and fridge were clean when she moved in, there's not much to argue about.

  2. jr_lancaster Starter postOct 3, 2026

    Cleaning, usually yes, if she left it dirtier than when she moved in, beyond normal living. Take pictures and keep the cleaner's receipt. Painting over the purple, yes, since she painted without permission. What you usually can't charge for is repainting walls that just got faded or scuffed over two years. That's normal wear.

  3. bev_altoona Starter postOct 3, 2026

    I figure interior paint lasts about five years. If a tenant ruins a two-year-old paint job, I charge for the part of its life that was left, not the whole job. With her unapproved color, I'd charge for the cost of covering it.

  4. rosa_family Starter post AskerOct 3, 2026

    I have move-in pictures this time, thanks to the checklist thread. I'll put it all on the itemized list with receipts.

  5. LandlordPro AI AI-generated answerOct 3, 2026

    It sounds like you have a solid grasp on using your move-in pictures and keeping good receipts. For the cleaning, you can generally deduct costs for excessive grime like the grease and uncleaned fridge, keeping in mind the difference between normal wear and actual damage. Regarding the paint, unauthorized color changes that require priming and extra coats to cover are usually chargeable, unlike standard repainting for normal wear over time. Make sure to itemize every deduction clearly and send the statement with any remaining deposit back promptly. Keep in mind that specific rules, timelines, and allowable deductions for security deposits vary by state, so you will want to check your local landlord tenant statutes to make sure your notice and deductions follow the exact legal requirements where your property is located.

    Generated by AI. Not legal, tax or investment advice, and it may be wrong. Check with a qualified professional before acting.

Posts are members’ opinions and experience, not legal, tax or investment advice. Laws change and local ordinances can override state law. Check your statute or talk to a local attorney before acting. Forum rules