Do landlords have to paint rooms before tenants move in?

Landlords are not required to repaint rooms before new tenants move in, according to Jack Kaplan of the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing. Failure to paint or make other improvements, such as replacing window blinds, does not constitute a violation of housing code.

Landlords do have certain obligations to meet before a new tenant moves in. Required and recommended actions depend on a number of factors, including the condition of the property and whether the new resident receives any type of government aid.

Landlords should repair any existing damage to the rental and attend to any safety issues, such as checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, looking for mold and checking for the presence of lead-based paint.