Wall color in a rented flat: how you may paint
Colorful walls in the living room, strong colors in the hallway: may the landlord prescribe how you paint during the tenancy? As a rule not. While you live there, the color design is largely your business.
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What you should do now
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1. Check the clause
Does the tenancy agreement prescribe a particular color for the tenancy? That is usually invalid.
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2. During the tenancy
You may in principle paint as you wish.
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3. When moving out
With an effective renovation obligation, return the flat in neutral, light tones.
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4. Check the renovation obligation
If the cosmetic-repairs clause is invalid overall, you may not have to renovate at all when moving out.
Frequently asked questions
May the landlord prescribe a wall color to me?
During the tenancy as a rule not. Clauses that prescribe a particular color design (for example only white) to you for the duration of living there are, according to the case law of the Federal Court of Justice, mostly invalid. How you paint during the tenancy is in principle your decision.
Do I have to paint white when moving out?
Only if you are effectively obliged to carry out cosmetic repairs. Then you can be required to return the flat in a neutral, light decor; very strong or unusual colors you would have to paint over. If the cosmetic-repairs clause is, by contrast, invalid overall (for example because of rigid deadlines or a flat taken over unrenovated), you may under certain circumstances not have to renovate at all.
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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.