Can a Landlord Charge for Paint After Move-Out?
Use paint age and useful-life math to check whether a repaint deduction is ordinary wear or a chargeable deposit item.
Short answer
A landlord may claim repainting when there is documented damage beyond ordinary wear, but the worksheet should account for paint age. Four-year-old paint on a five-year benchmark has far less remaining value than fresh paint.
Worksheet preset: paint depreciation article
Source: HUD Appendix 5D sample life expectancy chart. Use for repaint charges when the record shows damage beyond ordinary fading or turnover repainting.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
Paint charge comparison
| Charge type | Better input | Risk | |---|---|---| | Nail holes and minor fading | Normal-wear note | Often not chargeable as damage | | Unauthorized dark paint | Repaint invoice for affected rooms | Needs room-level scope | | Smoke or stain damage | Cleaning plus repaint documentation | Should not double-count the same work |
How to model repainting
Use the affected-room repaint cost, not the whole unit unless the whole unit was affected. Enter the approximate age of the paint at move-out, then reduce the damage share if part of the repaint was ordinary turnover.
Worksheet preset: paint depreciation article
Source: HUD Appendix 5D sample life expectancy chart. Use for repaint charges when the record shows damage beyond ordinary fading or turnover repainting.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
FAQ
Is repainting depreciated?
The calculator prorates repaint cost over a useful-life benchmark so already-used paint life is not charged as new value.
Does this replace state law?
No. It is a math worksheet with source links and state notes, not legal advice.