Do Tenants Need to Repaint Before Moving Out in Singapore?
Not always. It depends on your tenancy agreement and the condition of the walls. Normal fading and light marks from everyday living are usually considered fair wear and tear. Holes, stains, crayon, and colours you painted yourself usually aren’t. Some agreements specifically require repainting at the end of the lease. Touch-ups for a few walls cost from about $150, and a full HDB repaint from about $650.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your tenancy agreement is what counts. If you’re unsure, discuss it with your landlord or agent before you move out.
Step 1: Read your tenancy agreement
Look for clauses about how the unit must be returned. Common wording in Singapore agreements includes:
- Returning the premises in “good and tenantable repair and condition, fair wear and tear excepted”
- Making good any damage caused by the tenant
- Restoring the premises to their original state, including removing fixtures and paint colours the tenant added
- Occasionally, a specific requirement to repaint at the end of the lease
If your agreement says nothing specific about painting, you’re generally only responsible for damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Step 2: Fair wear and tear vs damage
| Usually fair wear and tear | Usually tenant’s responsibility |
|---|---|
| Slightly faded or dull paint after a long lease | Holes from nails, screws or wall-mounted TVs |
| Light scuffs from normal living | Crayon, markers, food or grease stains |
| Minor hairline cracks from building movement | Feature walls or colours you painted |
| Small marks from furniture touching walls | Adhesive damage from tape or hooks |
| Mould from poor ventilation, in some cases |
Step 3: Compare with your move-in condition
Find your inventory list and move-in photos. If the walls already had marks when you moved in, you shouldn’t be charged for them. That’s why it’s so important to take dated photos at the start of every tenancy.
Touch-up or full repaint?
Touching up a small patch on old paint often shows, because the new paint looks fresher and slightly different in colour and sheen. Painting the full wall, from corner to corner, usually looks much better and doesn’t cost much more.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Fill holes and repaint 1 to 3 walls | $150 – $350 |
| Restore a feature wall to the original colour | $150 – $350 per wall |
| Repaint one bedroom | $150 – $350 |
| Full repaint, HDB 3-room | $650 – $1,100 |
| Full repaint, HDB 4-room | $850 – $1,450 |
| Full repaint, 2-bedroom condo | $1,000 – $1,800 |
Is it cheaper to paint yourself or let the landlord deduct it?
Landlords who deduct for painting often use their own contractor’s price, which may be higher than what you’d pay. Arranging it yourself, with your landlord’s agreement on the scope and colour, usually saves money and avoids disputes. Get the colour code from the landlord or the paint brand’s colour card so it matches.
Order of jobs before handover
- Move out all belongings
- Painting and touch-ups
- End of tenancy cleaning, the day after painting
- Aircon servicing, if your agreement requires it
- Joint inspection with your landlord or agent
Use our end of tenancy cleaning checklist to make sure nothing’s missed.
Landlords: repainting between tenants
A fresh coat of neutral paint is one of the cheapest ways to rent a unit faster and at a better price. Many landlords repaint every two or three tenancies anyway, and book painting and cleaning together during the gap between tenants. Get quotes for both in one request.
FAQ
Can a landlord charge me for repainting in Singapore?
If your agreement requires it, or you’ve damaged the walls beyond fair wear and tear, landlords commonly deduct reasonable repainting costs from the deposit.
Do I need to repaint if I lived there for many years?
Paint naturally fades over time, which is usually fair wear and tear. Unless your agreement says otherwise, you’re generally responsible only for damage, not normal ageing.
I painted a feature wall. Do I need to change it back?
Usually yes, unless your landlord agreed in writing that you can leave it.
