Preparing a Rental Property for New Tenants: A Painting Checklist for Landlords
A practical checklist for landlords and property managers deciding what to repaint between tenancies — and what can wait.
Site Administrator 2 min read
Between tenancies you have a short window to present the property well, and every day vacant costs money. Here is how we help landlords and property managers decide what to paint, what to touch up and what to leave.
Walk the property with the exit report
Start with the exit condition report and photos. Note scuffs, marks, holes from hooks and shelves, and any areas where the tenant has attempted a touch-up in a slightly different colour (very common and very visible).
Touch-up or full repaint?
Touch-ups work when you have the original paint, the walls are less than a few years old and the marks are small. Older or sun-faded walls rarely touch up invisibly — the fresh paint "flashes" against the old. In those cases, repainting the whole wall or room gives a better result and is often not much more expensive once the painter is on site.
Priority areas
- Entry and living areas — first impressions in inspection photos.
- Kitchen and bathrooms — grease and moisture marks; use mould-resistant paint in wet areas.
- Hallways — the most scuffed walls in any rental.
- Doors and trims — chipped gloss makes an otherwise clean property look tired.
- Ceilings — often skipped, but stained or yellowed ceilings drag down the whole room.
Choose a rental-friendly scheme
A washable low-sheen white or warm neutral on walls, flat white ceilings and semi-gloss white trims is the easiest scheme to maintain and touch up between tenants. Record the exact product and colour so future touch-ups match.
Timing
Book the painter as soon as notice is given, not after the tenant has left. A standard 2–3 bedroom apartment typically takes 2–3 days; we can often start the day after keys are returned.
Keep records
Ask for completion photos and an itemised invoice — useful for owner statements, depreciation schedules and future bond disputes.
We work with property managers across Brisbane and offer priority scheduling for vacant properties. Learn more about our real estate painting service.
Thinking about a repaint?
We provide free, itemised quotes across Brisbane — usually within 24 hours.
