Buzz
Searching for a starter home can often reveal just how limited your budget really is. While you may feel encouraged by the amount you're pre-approved to borrow, finding a property that meets all of your criteria and fits within your financial limits is becoming increasingly difficult.
One option worth considering is a home that was previously rented out. These properties are sometimes considered bargains due to the wear and tear they've accumulated, or because landlords selling them are eager to close the deal quickly. However, the wear and tear is a genuine concern, and the worst part is that even if the house passes inspection, there may still be numerous hidden issues from years of neglected maintenance and poorly executed repairs—commonly referred to as 'Landlord Specials' (or, in some cases, 'Tenant Specials').
These so-called 'repairs' often aim to conceal defects or issues in order to secure a new tenant or a refunded security deposit with minimal cost. The result is a superficial fix that may seem fine at first glance but will inevitably drain your time and money in the long run. Below are some of the most frequent 'Landlord Specials' and 'Tenant Specials' you should watch out for when buying a former rental home.
Covered everything in paint
The infamous 'landlord special' repair, which is the origin of the meme, involves slathering on a heavy coat of white paint, typically done without much care, resembling the efforts of a drunken gorilla. This Landlord Special Paint Job doesn’t discriminate: From the door chain to the outlet covers, everything gets drenched in a thick layer of paint, often in multiple coats, built up over the years. Leftover bugs, hair, trash, and even stickers—anything tenants might leave behind—gets covered up. Some landlords seem to believe that white paint can erase all problems.
It’s hard to notice on a quick walkthrough; under dim lighting, a fresh white coat of paint may seem neat and pristine. A home inspector might overlook it, as it doesn’t pose any immediate issues or violate any codes. Only after moving in do you realize that ants have been sealed beneath the paint, and the door hinges were painted over too. Pay close attention to the state of the paint before finalizing the purchase.
Covering over carpet with flooring
One popular solution among both landlords and tenants is to place laminate or vinyl flooring on top of the existing carpet. For landlords, it boosts the property’s visual appeal and helps protect the (presumably decent) carpet from the wear and tear of transient residents. Tenants, on the other hand, see it as an easy way to upgrade their living space without risking their deposit or spending a lot of money.
Sure, if taken to the extremes of laziness and frugality, this can lead to an unpleasant surprise if you thought you were purchasing a place with flooring you could comfortably live with for a few years. It's always wise to closely examine the flooring in any property; sometimes, a hidden treasure of hardwood flooring may be waiting beneath the surface. Other times, it's just a special project put together by a landlord.
Walls covered in paper
Anyone who has ever moved out of a place bearing the marks of rowdy parties and occasional brawls will recognize this one: If you find a hole in the wall and don't have time to fix it (whether because the landlord is about to do an inspection or prospective tenants are checking out the place), you can easily cover up the hole with just some paint and a piece of paper. While the results may not be flawless, they can make the hole much less noticeable—at least for a little while. Yes, both landlords and tenants actually do this, so be sure to carefully examine any rough, peeling, or imperfect spots on the walls.
Cabinets covered with contact paper
Peel-and-stick contact paper or vinyl wraps can be an affordable way to refresh the look of kitchen cabinets. If a sneaky landlord or a desperate tenant can find one that matches the grain and color of the original cabinets, it can serve as a clever way to disguise damage and pretend a repair has been made. If you think the cabinets in a previous rental might still have some life left in them, be sure that no issues are being concealed by a layer of vinyl.
Mismatched fixtures
Both landlords and tenants usually address issues as they arise, without having a long-term renovation plan in mind. This approach allows everyone to quickly return to their hectic routines, keeps the rent money flowing, and delays major fixes—ultimately passing the responsibility on to you.
A detail that's often missed is the years spent replacing fixtures one by one whenever they break. You may not realize that every pull, knob, handle, and latch is of a different style and material until well after you've settled in, particularly if the landlords and tenants made an effort to choose replacements that were somewhat close to the originals.
Incomplete flooring
You're told the former rental property you're purchasing has brand-new wood floors. That's fantastic! They look great, were recently installed, and even match your style. You've struck gold.
You move in, shift the rug in the living room, and quickly realize the previous owner cut costs by only installing flooring in the visible areas, leaving everything underneath the rug as plywood. It’s like re-tiling a kitchen floor without moving the appliances—an illusion that holds up only if you never decide to move the furniture.
Painted tubs and tiles
While it's possible to paint tiles and refinish a bathtub on the cheap, unless done with care, the outcome is likely to fall short. Many landlords and tenants opt for spending $30 on paint instead of investing in a renovation or replacement. In some cases, they skip special paint altogether and use regular white paint on the tub, tiles, and even sinks, which won’t withstand the moisture and humidity in a bathroom or kitchen. It looks nice at first, helping to secure that deposit refund or rent the place out again. Don’t let it slip by you as a buyer.
Glued-down carpet repairs
Smart tenants know it’s often better to invest time over money when moving out of a rental. If the carpet’s been damaged by desk chairs, closet doors, pets, or other life accidents, the bald spots can be patched up by cutting carpet fibers from a hidden area and gluing them in place. The fix is a bit makeshift, but it won’t be obvious until you start living there and walking on that carpet.
