Is it required by law that I need to re-paint a unit when a tenant moves out?
Painting a unit will often make a rental unit more attractive to prospective tenants but is usually not a requirement in most jurisdictions. However you should always check your state’s landlord-tenant statutes and local ordinances to determine if they address the issue. Landlord-tenant statutes of most states require only that a landlord provide clean and safe habitable housing but local laws may regulate landlord responsibilities differently. As example, as of this writing, the New York City Housing Maintenance Code painting law has specific requirements for landlords regarding the issue.
In general, painting of a rental unit is considered a cosmetic issue. Painting is usually done at the landlord’s discretion for scheduled property improvements or as necessary for property repair issues. If there are no governing statutes or ordinances for your property location and the interior of the unit has been maintained in good condition, a thorough cleaning of all surfaces would usually be enough to freshen up the unit.