Do my landlords need to paint?

Question

I live in Delaware and am moving into a privately rented townhouse. I move in 4 days and the place is a mess. Do the landlords need to apply fresh paint, cut the lawn and clean legally in Delaware prior to me moving in?

Answer 1

Here's you laws in Delaware for your landlord and you http://www.uslandlord.com/laws/de.html it has your legal resources and much more.

Answer 2

I can't answer your question fully as I don't live in Delaware. Perhaps a Fair Housing website for your state, or even a local HUD office can answer what a landlord "must" do.

If you were to paint, cut the lawn and have the place cleaned, can you negotiate with the landlord to reduce your rent? I've done that and it was a win-win. Since you haven't moved in yet, maybe he'll be willing to let you have a say about the paint colors, etc... Don't let him charge you for the cleaning, especially if your contract doesn't say you're responsible for the move-in cleaning. But don't expect a very good job, be prepared to clean yourself the night before you move in.
Been there, done that - Good luck.

Answer 3

Fresh paint and a tidy lawn, etc. are not requirements for a place to be habitable. That said, 4 days is more than enough time for the landlord to sort those things out.

I'd ask the landlord if the place will be ready, and point out the problems. Most likely it will all be taken care of. If not, make sure you do a thorough move-in inspection, preferrably with the landlord present, and provide him or her with a copy. You'll use this to determine how much of your security deposit will be returned when you move out. Basically if it's a mess on move in, you don't need to worry about the condition too much on move out.

Answer 4

A house doesn't need to have fresh paint to be considered in livable condition. They do not need to cut the lawn and regarding cleaning, it all depends on how nasty it was. If you had a good landlord you would have had all of these things done before it was even shown to be rented, so don't be surprised when something breaks and he either takes forever to fix it or it doesn't get fixed. You should talk to him about the paint and maybe knocking something off the rent if you paint it using neutral colors, something that won't prohibit him from renting it again if/when you move out. The grass may not be included in the rent so it's your responsibility to maintain it.

Answer 5

I don't live in Deleware, but it sounds like you agreed to move in as is. Of course, cleaning and cutting the lawn should be something you'd think they would do as a courtesy. Most places do. I'm not sure about the paint, but it couldn't hurt to ask. If they own the place, you'd think they would want the place nice and taken care of. The longer they keep you as a renter, the more money they make! Just remember...You are the one paying them.
Good luck.

Answer 6

Check your lease. What are the agreements, (fine print, "disclosures") on these things. I have allowed my tenants to negotiate lawn and updates, etc, before signing a lease, so we're all on the same page. Check with Delaware's equivalent to our Tenant Resource Center here in Madison, WI.

Answer 7

not sure about in deleware, but I know in Texas a landlord can rent a place "as is" You might be able to talk to your landlord about him knocking something off the rent if you do some repair work on your own time

Answer 8

Their complete lack of care and upkeep on the property is already telling you exactly what kind of landlord they are.