Paint it back
Question from Amanda updated on 30th July 2018:
My ex-partner and I are co-owners of a property that he has lived in for the past 18 months. He has had occasional boarders living at the property. He recently allowed one of them to paint one of the bedrooms black, which in my opinion devalues the property, without asking my permission! Is this legal? What can I do?
Our expert Bernard Parker responded:
Many people would agree with your views about the effect of black paint in a bedroom. It is widely thought that neutral colours are best for appealing to most people (tenants and/or purchasers). I suggest that you speak with your ex-partner about restoring the paint colour to a more generally appealing hue. In the final analysis, you will both benefit from that course. If there is a dispute, then you will need to sort out the dispute between you.
Bernard is principal of Quinovic – Kapiti-Mana. Quinovic's outstanding people and systems provide the most professional, effective and reliable residential property management service in the NZ market for over 30 years.
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