QUESTION: A while ago my landlord wanted to paint my flat and we agreed that I would do the job if he bought the paint and let me off with a couple of weeks’ rent.
In between then and now he has taken on a new managing agent and she has told him I did such a bad job that I should have to pay back the rent and pay a professional to get the place done over again.
I’d be the first to admit I’m not a painter but I’m the one living with it, so who cares how bad a job it was? Can they make me pay back the rent?
ANSWER: Probably not without a struggle, especially if you’ve got your deal in writing. But landlords and tenants should not to get into these “quid pro quo” deals unless both sides know exactly what they are getting.
No work done as a trade off for rent has any guarantees or comebacks. Even worse, it can ruin a happy relationship between tenant and landlord.
Next time leave painting to the pros and just pay your rent as normal.
Please email your rental questions to rentals@flat-chat.com.au.