3596 Leaving rented accommodation-strange rules?

Hi
I am currently leaving rented accommodation to move into a newly purchased house-a lengthy and tiring process as Im sure some of you will know! My landlord has stated that by Italian law it is legally my responsibility to paint the walls-does this ring true to anyone or seem strange? My contract sinply states that the walls are to be left in the condition that they were in when I arrived-excluding natural aging damage! Any ideas?
Hannah

Category
Property Sales/Rental Advice

Unless you have damaged or stained/marked the walls, tell your Landlord he is having a laugh, but not at your expense.

There is a clause regarding "fair wear and tear" on rentals and you are not responsible for this, as stated within your contract. Hopefully, a quick wipe over with a damp cloth and a bit of sugar soap will work wonders on any marks and lead to smiles on both sides.

Hi Hannah,

From previous experience of renting in Germany, I had similar contracts. Phrases like 'the walls are to be left in the condition that they were in' can imply that if a place was redecorated just prior to you moving in (i.e. the previous tenant doing the work after moving out), then you'd have to do the same on moving out. On the other hand, if you had to redecorate on moving in, then the next tenant has to do the same and you can leave without doing any more work (unless necessary). Not sure if the same would be the case in Italy, though...

It's different in the UK and in 9 years I've never had to re-paint any place I've rented. ;)

But if no new paint work was done before you moved in, then I agree with Sassy in that you should just make sure there are no stains on the wall... perhaps give any carpets a professional clean and that would be the end of it.

Don't allow them to make you do any work that wasn't done just prior to you moving in. :)

S

If he has a deposit from you I would be extra careful. My first landlord tried to take money from it to do various little repair jobs including repainting. The second one wanted me to pay for it to be repainted even though, I had painted some of it because it was in a state when I moved in. As Anastasia says, make sure it is as clean as you can get it and just be a pain and they should back down. Good luck

I used to take interior photos when I moved in - and out! If you present them with evidence that the place is in the same state, it might shut them up... :)

[QUOTE=Iona]I used to take interior photos when I moved in - and out! If you present them with evidence that the place is in the same state, it might shut them up... :)[/QUOTE]

Now that is a great idea, I bet Hannah is wondering why you did not tell her when she was moving in, rather than out:D

Don't have a clue if a landlord can legally force you to paint walls or hold back a deposit but just so you are aware that is not unusual in Italy, even though it seems laughable to Brits. Anybody I know here that has moved out of rented accomodation has repainted before moving out - they seemed to expect to have do it.

A recent aquaintance of mine is currently undertaking the process of repainting. It all adds to the stress of the move. Mine was done before I moved in last month, but fairly amateurishly as they seem to have left a fair bit other than on the walls. Digitals pics taken as suggested!

Nicola,

Your comments make me think that it might definitely be something continental - landlords getting their tenants to cover some of the wear & tear costs.

I'd be very careful too if a bond was paid...

Cheers,
S