How worried should I be about "Renter Friendly Wallpaper"?
Category: General Advice
7 replies
Original post
I recently came into my tenant's unit for a maintenance issue and noticed she had put up new wallpaper in the kitchen without telling me... I asked her about it and she told me it's "renter friendly" and she'll take it down when she moves out.Reply by Jaxon Patterson
@[cmsnjz971004ari0mshh10yfp](Alexa Abbott) I feel your pain here. Lesson learned the hard way here for me as well! I now include large scale clauses in my leases that tenants must get approval from me before making key cosmetic changes like the one you're referencing. If something is going to impact me in a major way when they move out, I need to be able to veto or at least have a reasonable discussion beforehand and then decide!Reply by Josh Winders
I would find out if it was peel and stick...I have personally used it several times and have had ZERO issues with taking it off. It's WAY more of a pain in the ass to apply it!!!Reply by Daniel M.
@[cmsnjz971004ari0mshh10yfp](Alexa Abbott) I’d probably be a little cautious, but I wouldn’t panic yet. If it’s actually peel and stick, there’s a good chance it comes off fine but I’d still want to see how it was installed before assuming there won’t be any damage. I’d probably take a few pictures now and make a note of it so you have something to compare at move out. Definitely one of those things I’d add to the lease going forward!
Reply by Grace Hart
I wouldn't worry either! I have used it in my home as well! It lets me be creative with certain spaces! I would just make sure like everyone else said that it is actually "peel and stick." Hey, worst case, is you let the renters know that if it causes damage, they will have to pay for cleaning/repairs/ect if needed!Reply by Marc St.James
I think Daniel's idea of taking pictures now is a good one. Best case, it comes off without any issues and you never think about it again. Worst case, you've got documentation of what it looked like before.
I'd also want to know exactly what type of wallpaper it is. I've heard plenty of people say peel and stick comes off cleanly but I’ve also heard a few stories where it took paint or drywall paper with it. Definitely feels like one of those "trust but verify" situations.
Reply by Amanda T.
I’d probably take the same approach as everyone else here and not stress about it too much yet. Like everyone already mentioned, document the condition now. Hopefully it comes off easily and this ends up being one of those things that sounds worse than it actually is!