The visual appeal of your rental property's interior is what makes your tenants feel at home in their place of temporary residence. A nice-looking rental also helps yield high rent rates and top-notch tenants who pay on time. As a property owner, you will undoubtedly have to paint your rental property at some point. After all, you should want to keep up with the aesthetic appeal of your rental. Plus, you should also want to keep your rental property’s walls insulated and protected.

But how often should you paint your rental property?

Today, we’re reviewing what tenants look for in a rental, different types of paints, and how often you should paint your rental property. 

Why Do Your Tenants Want Fresh Paint?

Property Management companies know how important it is to appeal to tenants. A fresh coat of paint on your rental property’s walls makes it stand out. With a few coats of nice paint, the rental will appear brighter, cleaner, and newer.

Additionally, a few cans of paint have the potential to transform your rental’s entire interior. New paint can revive tired walls, showcase your property’s architectural charm, and even brighten dim hallways.

The bottom line is this: fresh paint appeals to prospective tenants looking to make your rental property their home because it makes them feel like they’re the first and only people to live there.

What Tenants Look For in Paint Colors

It is easy to become overwhelmed by all the paint colors available at the local hardwood store. Luckily, there are people dedicated to unraveling the mystery of paint colors.

• This cheerful and warm color is best suited for places like the kitchen. It brightens the area and energizes those in it.

• Preferred by men, this calming color is great for offices, as it is suggested to boost productivity, curb your appetite, and induce feelings of serenity.

• Red is typically known to evoke strong emotions, so you should consider painting your rental’s dining room red if you wish to use such a bold color.

That said, when painting your rental property, it is often best to remain neutral and avoid overly colorful paint.

Why is that?

You want to appeal to the largest population of tenants possible, and even having just one bold accent wall that is not a neutral color (such as tan, beige, sage, or cream) can cause an unfavorable opinion among tenants viewing your property.

In summary, the point of painting your rental property is to attract high-quality tenants who want to lease it, not to make an artistic statement.

Your Basic Guide to Indoor Wall Paints

Before discussing how often you should paint your rental, it is a good idea to become familiar with the different types of paint available so that you can get the right one for your property’s needs. Choosing the right paint type will make a big difference.

Take a look at the various paint finishes:

High Gloss

Durable and easy to clean, high gloss paint will dry with lots of shine. It helps repel sticky fingers and oils. Use this finish on places such as:

• Cabinets

• Doors

• Trims

• Kitchen areas

Keep in mind that the shiny finish will show every lump and bump on your walls, so it is best to avoid using this type on large wall spaces.

Satin

Though not as shiny as the gloss finishes, satin paints can withstand a lot of traffic and still maintain a nice look. For your rental property, satin paints should be used for:

• Family rooms

• Hallways

• Playrooms

• Kid bedrooms

Be careful using this paint finish. If you do not apply it properly, you will be able to see every brush or roller stroke.

Flat or Matte

This paint type has the most pigment, no shine, provides the most coverage, and is great at hiding lumps, bumps, and more. In addition, it is one of the most affordable paint types. Here are some good places for flat or matte paints:

• Adult bedrooms

• Ceilings

• Other low-traffic rooms

This paint finish is not easy to clean, easily rubs off, and needs repainting often.

Eggshell

The sheen on this paint finish is between that of a satin finish and a matte finish. It is great for covering up small scratches and should be used in low-traffic areas such as:

• Dining rooms

• Living rooms

• Offices or studies

Though eggshell paint is forgiving of wall imperfections because it has a partially matte-like finish, it does not always last as long as you might want it to.

Semigloss

Semigloss finishes are great for places that need a little shine, take a lot of abuse, and are areas in the home that attract a lot of moisture. Take, for instance:

• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Trim

• Laundry rooms

There is no real downside to this type of paint finish. It is extremely durable, easy to clean, and offers just enough shine to make your painted area look stunning.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the varying paint finishes, you are better equipped to make decisions about the interior paint of your rental property.

However, if you are at all unsure as to what type of paint finish to choose, which color is best suited for your property, or how to properly apply the paint to your walls, it is best to employ the help of a licensed and insured paint contractor.

So, How Often Should You Paint Your Rental Property?

How often you paint your rental property is a largely personal matter. However, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, you should aim to repaint your entire rental property every three years.

Whether you wish to paint your rental property yourself or with the help of a professional, here are some things to consider before deciding if you should paint the interior:

1. How Does the Property Appear?- If a tenant has just moved out of your rental property, evaluate its interior to see if there are any areas that need repainting. Move-out time is ideal for evaluating your property and painting any areas that look worn since it is empty at this time.

2. What Does a Little Cleaning Do?- Sometimes, all your property’s walls need is a little TLC. If you have opted for highly durable and easy-to-clean paint finishes, maybe a little magic erasing is all your property needs to shine again.

3. Take it Room By Room- Even if you have a set timeframe for how often you should paint your rental, evaluate each room separately. There is no sense in repainting your entire property if only the high-trafficked walls need a touch-up.

In the end, maintaining the visual appeal of your rental property’s interior is crucial if you want tenants to lease from you and become long-term tenants.