Can I Ask My Landlord To Paint Or Do Upgrades Before I Move In?

Yes, you can ask your landlord to paint or make upgrades before you move in, but they are not obligated to agree unless such changes are explicitly detailed in your lease agreement.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), landlords have the following obligations:

• Maintenance and Repairs: Landlords must maintain the property in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, and comply with health, safety, housing, and maintenance standards at their expense.
• Utility Services: Landlords must ensure a reasonable supply of fuel, electricity, hot and cold water, and other utility services (unless the tenant has agreed to obtain and pay for these services).
• Enjoyment of Premises: Landlords must not interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the premises by the tenant, household members, or guests.
• Property Seizure: Landlords cannot seize a tenant’s property without legal process for rent default or any other obligation breach.
• Non-Harassment: Landlords must not harass, obstruct, coerce, threaten, or interfere with the tenant.

Landlords are not required to make any cosmetic changes or upgrades beyond these obligations. If you have specific cosmetic requests, such as painting or other upgrades, these should be negotiated and included in your lease agreement before signing.

If you are already a tenant and wish to request changes after moving in, you must discuss and negotiate these changes directly wth your landlord. Any agreement reached should be documented in writing to avoid future misunderstandings.

By understanding these guidelines and clearly communicating your requests, you can better navigate negotiations with your landlord regarding any desired improvements to the rental property.

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