Damage to rental apartment wall and inspection coming up. Try to fix it or let it be?

Save Medicare on 11/12/2021 - 19:18
Last edited 11/12/2021 - 19:38

Hi friends

My partner and I are hypothetically renting a relatively new apartment, and have been using baby gates to separate our two mischievous from us while we cook and eat. We're coming up to an inspection in a couple of days, and it has become apparent that the baby gates has caused a bit of damage (just the paint layer) to the walls where they are held on by friction. We also plan to submit our notice and find a new place to live in the next 2 months. It's four points on 2 walls in the shape of a frame so I don't think an "I don't know how it happened, wow I didn't even notice that until now" will be possible..

My partner is hypothetically keen to try and fix it ourselves before the inspection with some spackle and some paint, but I'm wary of undertaking such a process as it is quite minor cosmetic damage and it's not something we're experienced in. I'm worried we'd make it worse and more obvious than if we just left it.

If you were a landlord how upset would you be about this?
And if we were to get it fixed professionally through the real estate agency how much would we expect to pay?

Pics related, finger for scale.

https://i.imgur.com/39ImWRT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bd2SP0a.jpg

Poll Options

  • 90
    try to fix it
  • 19
    let it be
Home & Garden

Comments

  • spackbace on 11/12/2021 - 19:20
    +11

    Imo, do a basic fix if you can. Has the owner left any paint anywhere for touch ups? Sometimes they do

    Otherwise rea will slug you for a professional repair

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/12/2021 - 19:23
    +4

    Well a tub of spackfilla is like $9 at Bunnings and some sandpaper to suit would be like $10 , could give it a crack but even if you did good you probably can’t match the paint and it’ll stick out.

  • lachhelix on 11/12/2021 - 19:41
    +22

    Slightly off topic but the second photo:
    "This post may contain erotic or adult imagery. By continuing, you acknowledge that you are18+ years of age." lmao 😂

    • Muzeeb on 11/12/2021 - 19:45
      -1

      Fingering?

    • Save Medicare on 11/12/2021 - 19:52
      -1

      I guess the defect is a little phallic

    • cashless on 11/12/2021 - 21:46

      Maybe it’s one of those “hole in the wall” porn films……….?
      I’ll get my coat on the way out.

  • oscargamer on 11/12/2021 - 19:41
    +18

    If it's an inspection, and they notice it, say "that's nice, it'll be fixed on our exit"

    You are NOT required to maintain your rental in a perfect condition throughout your rental.

    You are required to only cause 'fair wear and tear' and that can be assessed at the END of your rental.

    • macrocephalic on 13/12/2021 - 10:27
      +1

      But then they'll take notes and look extra closely at that spot during the exit inspection. If you fix it now then they probably won't notice it even if it's not 100% perfect.

  • upended on 11/12/2021 - 19:49
    +22

    Okay, why is everything hypothetical? I am confused. You are either renting for real or you are not.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/12/2021 - 19:50
      +9

      Is the twist that OP is the landlord actually and polling ozbargain if it’s fair to go off at the tenant?

      • upended on 11/12/2021 - 19:52

        Similar to "asking for a friend" posts! 😊

    • AdosHouse on 11/12/2021 - 20:26
      +6

      It's Schrödinger's rental.

  • pantsparty on 11/12/2021 - 19:57
    +15

    Definitely fix it yourself. Go to Bunnings and buy this:

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-180g-spakfilla-rapid-gap…

    And this to help apply it to the wall and smooth it out:

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-50mm-paint-scraper_p00932…

    Ask your building manager what the paint colour on the walls is and buy a sample tin of the exact same paint from Bunnings. Patch it up, sand it smooth and paint away.

    Can all be done in a few hours (including drying time) - do it tomorrow pre inspection and you are good to go.

    • CalmLemons on 11/12/2021 - 21:31
      +1

      This guy just did the work for you. However the spakfilla comes with it's own plastic scraper whichw ill be good enough for that job, a quick once over and then some paint and you're good.

      That looks like a very common paint colour like piano quarter strength or one of the other dulux beige tones - just get some cards from bunnings and match it up with the wall. Take a picture with your phone first so you don't even up taking a whole wall of samples.

      • penting on 12/12/2021 - 12:21
        +10

        Easier if you can scrape some of the paint and bring it to bunnings. They can color match it.

        • macrocephalic on 13/12/2021 - 10:31

          Yes. When they're mixing sample pots they probably can't match the colour perfectly based on the formula - because an extra drip of tint might be enough to send the colour off when you're talking about 250ml of paint. Better to have a colour that you can match it to visually. If you can go at a quiet time (not a weekend) then you might get better service and attention to detail from the paint counter people. Also, probably worth buying a litre of paint rather than a sample pot - it's only like $20 and you can leave the rest for the next tenant.

        • Mikay89 on 13/12/2021 - 12:09

          +1 for scraping off some paint and taking that to Bunnings, you only need like a 5c piece or so in size and that's usually enough for them. I've done this many times for house repairs, works a charm and you won't have to ask the agent/manager for any paint (i.e. might give them the hint your fixing some damage). Learning how to diy minor repairs like this will save you big time in the long run, this certainly won't be the last time you'll do this!

        • Morphio25 on 13/12/2021 - 12:41

          Not to mention bad lighting/camera angle/bad camera on your phone could mean you end up with the wrong paint colour.

  • AndyC1 on 11/12/2021 - 20:18
    +12

    I would leave the baby gates up and put some sort of plastic cushion between them and the wall to hid the damage for the inspection.

    But after the inspection or before get the paint matches at bunnings and grab some fine filler (make sure it;s right for the job) and try the paint near the affected area to see how good a match it is and if it is okay then wait for when you take down the gates and then fix it.

    You do not want to fix it for the inspection and then use the gates again as they will stuff up the area again.

    Next time you use the gates put on the wall some cloth and then some sponge as this should if done stop the gates from damaging the wall. I have also in the past made a 10cm x 10 cm wood that was about 2cm thick and screws the gate cups to it and put thick cloth between the wood and the wall to spread the load and stop any damage to the paint.

    • Member 0230 on 12/12/2021 - 09:06
      +1

      I’d give this a +2 if I could: +1 for the “repair-it-post-inspection” idea, and another +1 for using a buffer.

  • soan papdi on 11/12/2021 - 20:20
    +4

    Fold some paper towels against the wall and put the gate back till the agent has done the inspection. Then take your time to fix it before you leave the property.

  • bigticket on 11/12/2021 - 21:04
    +4

    A physical sample of the paint can be used to have the paint matched. Google feathering to blend the paint with a brush to the existing paintwork.

  • brendanm on 11/12/2021 - 21:13
    -4

    Normally I'd say "fair wear and tear" etc, but seems like op is happy to take no care at all in putting up baby gates, and wanting someone else to pay for the damage. I bet they wouldn't have done the same thing if they owned the place.

    • Save Medicare on 11/12/2021 - 21:27

      Wow, very quick to judgement my friend. What gave you that impression?

      • brendanm on 11/12/2021 - 22:11
        +4

        hypothetically

        It's four points on 2 walls in the shape of a frame so I don't think an "I don't know how it happened, wow I didn't even notice that until now"

        hypothetically

    • whitelie on 11/12/2021 - 21:44
      +2

      We're in our second rental with baby gates while we build our new place. Definitely took a lot of care putting them up, tried packing them out with cardboard, felt, all sorts. First place didn't have an issue but the paint and plaster in this place is much softer and has crumbled away. Will be doing the same in our own place, it's just the risk you take but hardly a difficult fix.

      • brendanm on 11/12/2021 - 22:12
        +1

        At least you tried, and I assume won't try to weasel out of fixing it.

  • whitelie on 11/12/2021 - 21:42
    +2

    We're in the same position and 100% fix it yourself.
    Not sure if the property manager will know or be willing to tell you the paint colour without clueing on, so may have to get it matched.
    Ours was painted prior to us moving in so knew we had a good chance of finding them as the property manager would have organized it all (landlords live interstate). We went with the "Our furniture matches these colours so well, are you able to tell us what they are so we can paint our place the same?" Had the colours in no time ;)

  • slow on 11/12/2021 - 22:32
    +2

    Try and fix it, and don't draw any attention to it. If they know they will charge you a few hundred for a handyman.

  • pharkurnell on 11/12/2021 - 23:30
    -1

    Any fix you do if your not a pro will stand out like whale balls on a mozzie….

    Either pay up now to get ti fixed now by a professional - or lose your bond at the end.

    • Steakz on 12/12/2021 - 00:06
      +2

      Say what?
      Looking at the images they could literally just give it a decent sanding and paint it over. I'd be very surprised if anyone would notice.

      • kiitos on 12/12/2021 - 09:16

        I don't think you can get away with just sanding and not filling, there would still be an outline of the missing paint as I've found it tends to flake away as you sand ?

        • abb on 13/12/2021 - 09:22
          +2

          Unethical tip: It doesn't have to fool a professional painter, only the "property manager" (read: entry-level real estate agent) who will do the final inspection in about 3 minutes.

  • Steakz on 11/12/2021 - 23:54
    +1

    Not going for a snarky comment, but assuming you both have 4 limbs and are not using your feet to fix this, I don't see how you could mess this up.

    Holes in plasterboard are a different story, which require know-how and experience to be hardly noticeable.

    Go for it!

  • Logical on 11/12/2021 - 23:56
    -1

    The paint is starting to flake in some areas and will need to be scrapped back. After a patch up job the whole wall will need to be painted, and most likely 2 coats to cover up the patched up area.

    If doing it yourself, please do a great job otherwise leave it for a pro.

    • macrocephalic on 13/12/2021 - 10:34

      What is the risk here? If the OP completely botches it up then a pro will come in and have to do all the same things. The only risk here is wasting $50 at Bunnings to maybe save hundreds on a tradie.

      • Logical on 19/12/2021 - 23:16

        If it gets botched up then it will be a bigger job….. so you loose the "$50" spent at Bunnings, plus get slugged with a bigger bill to fix it.

  • Urin8or on 12/12/2021 - 06:55
    +2

    Bunnings does a paint match taubmans tub for $10. Scrape off a flake of the same colour in an area that won’t be visible/inspected (eg. above aircon unit) and take it in to Bunnings. Combo this up with some Spakfilla and feathering paint work and you should be good.

    This is what we did and had no issues.

    • Peck on 12/12/2021 - 10:01
      +1

      As you admit that you aren't 'handy', grab a friend who is, and follow this advice by Urin8or. It will then be barely noticeable.

  • payless69 on 12/12/2021 - 08:33

    If you declared the kids and your intentions upon renting it it is part of the contract, still a good painter should not charge the earth. But fix just before leaving kids are kids!

    • Save Medicare on 13/12/2021 - 09:39
      +2

      They are declared felines

  • Ocker on 12/12/2021 - 09:17

    Chances of making repairs that are not noticeable are pretty slim - it will be difficult to perfectly match the paint and texture. All depends on how observant the agent is when doing the inspection.
    If agents arrange repairs then it could be costly as the tradie may opt to paint the whole wall (at your expense) - maybe $200+ or so.
    Guess that given the risk/reward I would attempt my own repairs, at a cost of around $20-$30, and see if it passes inspection. If it does then great, if not then you are back at the tradie stage and out of pocket $20-$30.

    • Save Medicare on 12/12/2021 - 09:21
      +1

      $200-$300 honestly isn't unpalatable. I'm just hoping they don't slug us for $2000 or something like that.

  • fishing on 12/12/2021 - 09:42
    +1

    Fair wear and tear

    • [Deactivated] on 13/12/2021 - 12:07

      I gave you an upvote for positive thinking - the landlord just made 25% on the value in capital growth the last 18 months and with historical interest rates - don't think this will give them reason to forgo an extra $200 for repairs.

      With this paint colour a small piece of plaster sanded back to paint in many cases will blend in and be almost un-noticeable.

      My internal 'own my mistake' ethos would lead me towards the cheap repair and save the cost and aggravation.

  • jacross on 12/12/2021 - 09:49
    +1

    1, It doesn't have to be a hypothetical. You aren't going to end up in some court or tribunal where this thread is used as evidence.
    2, fix it yourself. It will cost you maybe something like $20-80 if you can match the paint. If I was the landlord I'm taking your bond to repaint the entire area so it is 'consistent'. It's not a difficult job.

  • May4th on 12/12/2021 - 09:57
    +3

    as above fix it yourself- just youtube or find a friendly bunnings storeman, very easy to do, just make sure you match the paint the best you can. with such a small area if you do a semi decent job it'll be very hard to notice. will likely cost you $50

    otherwise you're looking at a few 00s potentially come bond return time

  • lachhelix on 12/12/2021 - 11:53
    +2

    Surely if you fix it now, when you put the gates back up again for 2 months, it's just going to happen again? Couldn't you tell them (if they notice) that you'll get it fixed when you move out?

  • Peck on 12/12/2021 - 12:24

    You might get an Ozbargainer to assist for a 6 pack to share on completion - whilst proudly sitting around and celebrating a job well done!
    Maybe post your approx location as Sydney is a big town!

  • Ghost47 on 12/12/2021 - 14:07

    If I was a landlord I’d be upset (but I’d probably be upset at the smallest things). I’d be even more upset if you tried to fix it and botched it though.

    Glad I’m not a landlord.

  • WT on 12/12/2021 - 17:57

    super easy fix just watch a 5 min vid on how to fix it so you know what to do

  • macfudd on 12/12/2021 - 23:49

    Had something similar several years back but there was a 2cm hole in the wall too. All damage caused by the cleaning company the agency recommended. I got some of the right paint and then found someone on Airtasker who fixed it for about $50. I could have tried myself, but it wasn't my property so I felt better getting someone experienced who could do a proper job.

  • kaleidoscope on 13/12/2021 - 07:50
    +2

    If you were a landlord how upset would you be about this?

    I’d expect tenants to fix this. They have the full freedom to diy and do a touch up as its cosmetic. If they do not fix it up when they leave, expect a professional repair and amount to be deducted from security deposit.

    —
    Are the photos hypothetical too?

  • windrc on 13/12/2021 - 08:04
    +1

    Put the gate back on but get 4 cup mats and place them in between the bolt and wall. The mats will cover up the damage and you can repair it later on when you move out.

  • notfrodo on 13/12/2021 - 08:11
    +3

    Are the pictures also hypothetical?

  • [Deactivated] on 13/12/2021 - 09:36

    In this thread: Landlord cucks

    Fair wear and tear. It's just happened from living there.

    Unfortunately landlords in Australia seem to have a view that although property is an investment it's one that only ever makes huge returns, never ever a loss.

    Watch the down votes pour in on me.

    OP love your display pic and user name, good on you.

    • May4th on 13/12/2021 - 14:16

      installing a gate causing paint dmg is not fair wear and tear
      as for your other gripes we'd have to wait for that ted talk, please keep us posted

  • Save Medicare on 13/12/2021 - 09:40
    +5

    Thanks for the advice everyone. My partner decided to try her hand at spackling and painting. It didn't turn out great.

    It may honestly look worse than when we started.

    • weezlebub on 13/12/2021 - 11:09

      sorry i jumped in a bit late …

      paint peeling is quite common with that style of textured paint (and the age, because it was common in the early 80's …

      recommendation would have been to stick on protective cups onto the wall, then tell them you didn't want to pull them off incase they did any damage :)

      other suggestion would be to just paint it, if you don't dilute the paint, it should be thick enough to cover the area …

      paint matching is a thing, but they want a 50c pieced size of paint (which usually means pulling it off of the wall

    • Jabba the Hutt on 13/12/2021 - 12:34
      +1

      Story of my DIY life.

      Either that or I spend like ten hours on research, a bunch of money on tools I didn't have, then five hours performing the fifteen minute job, and do end up with an acceptable result and new skills, but which I use so rarely that I've forgetten what I've learned by the time they're needed again.

    • TimmyTims on 13/12/2021 - 13:08
      +2

      Thats what the sanding block is for. Sand back and start again

    • kiitos on 13/12/2021 - 22:25

      Photos? Most likely it was overfilled and not sanded down enough, and/or not left to dry enough before sanding.

    • Ghost47 on 14/12/2021 - 23:34

      Oh we gotta see this now, post up a pic!

  • Breno785au on 13/12/2021 - 09:48
    +1

    Just be honest with the inspection, tell them look this is what happened, we will get it fixed.

    People act like a drill sergeant is walking through inspecting their goods.

    Be honest and transparent and move on

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