DRE guidance treats minor marks or nicks from normal use as ordinary wear.
Large holes, gouges or other tenant-caused damage can justify reasonable repair costs.
DRE presents a two-year interior-paint life as one practical approach, not a statutory formula.
The DRE’s suggested repainting approach
- Less than 6 months: the DRE example allows full cost when repainting is otherwise justified.
- 6 months to 1 year: the example uses two-thirds of cost.
- 1 year to 2 years: the example uses one-third of cost.
- 2 years or more: the example uses no deduction under that approach.
This is guidance, not an automatic formula
The DRE expressly says its suggested deduction approaches are not hard-and-fast rules. The statutory baseline remains whether damage exceeds ordinary wear and whether the amount claimed is reasonably necessary to restore the unit to its starting condition.
What to compare
- How recently the unit was painted before you moved in.
- Move-in and move-out wall photographs.
- Whether the landlord routinely repaints between tenancies regardless of condition.
- Whether the charge is for localized repair or a full-unit repaint and why.
Compare this issue across states
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Official sources
Use these links to verify the rule directly. RentBillCheck prioritizes California statutes, courts and state-agency guidance over secondary summaries.
Primary law for residential security deposits, deductions, inspections, photographs and return/accounting requirements.
California Department of Real EstateCalifornia Tenants Guide — Moving Out ↗Official practical guidance on deductions, normal wear, carpet, painting, cleaning and inspections.