I am a renter: Can I paint my home?

Victorian rental laws do not have a specific rule on whether you can paint your rental home. However, it’s simply a matter of asking your landlord’s permission. Though if the rental home has paint issues like peeling paint or large stains then the landlord does have to maintain the property to keep it in good repair. This would mean a professional paint job. New laws coming out in January 2021 regarding the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018 will address what modifications can be made without the rental provider’s consent.

Asking the Landlord if you can Paint your Rental

The best advice is to speak to your landlord whether its new paint for maintenance and upkeep or that you would like to paint the property in colours to your style. If they are consulted on colour choices and the painting is done professionally you will have a better chance.
So before you even embark on looking at paint, you will have to determine if your rental agency or landlord allows you to paint it or not. One of the first things you will have to go through is the lease as it may state what you are allowed and not allowed to do for your walls. Often landlords are very happy for renters to maintain the home and paint as it is adding value in a lot of cases. But also means the tenants are looking at staying on for the long

How Long Will You Be Staying in The Rental?

Painting can be a lot of work, and you need to ensure that your financial investments and time are worth it. If you are staying in the rental for a long time, then it will be appropriate for you to consider painting it. Again if the rental home in Victoria is in disrepair and needs a new coat of paint then the landlord is obliged to provide this at their cost.
Victoria has a 5-year lease option for tenants and if you are on a 5-year lease then painting the home makes sense,

Does the Landlord or Tenant Pay to Paint a Rental in Victoria?

Ask your landlord or rental agency if they agree to a new professional paint job. It may be that the existing paintwork in the home is old and out of date, if this is the case then you can obtain a quote and colour choices to provide the landlord to make it easier for them. If all they have to do is say yes and pay without any extra effort of calling for quotes or working out colour schemes then it helps.

In the home improvement grand scheme, painting is quite easy and of low cost. Renovating a rental with paint is a cost-effective renovation compared to a new kitchen etc. So it can be an easier decision for a landlord to make and approve.

If you want to paint your rental to your own taste, for example, a kids room or feature wall then the cost may be borne by you, But at this stage, you still need to ask permission of the landlord.
You need to consider if spending some hundred dollars on paint and supplies is worth the overall effect of having a different colour on your rental home. A lot of the time the answer is yes, especially if you are planning on renting the home for at least a year or a 5-year lease. It’s your home so make it yours!

Will I Have to Paint it Back at the end of the Lease?

Check with your rental agency or landlord on these rules. But generally speaking, paint renovations add value to the home so the landlord will be happy to keep it. This is why you need to seek approval before painting as the landlord needs to agree to colours. If you really want the paint but the landlord does not agree with your colour choice then you could offer to return it to the original paint colour when you move out. But this will be extra costs for you, however, it’s also very rare that such occurrences happen in which the landlord has such an aversion to a colour that they ask for it to be painted back.