Are you moving to a new apartment, or do you simply want to revamp the look and feel of your place? If you’re thinking of putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls of your New York City apartment, there are some considerations that you need to keep in mind.
In New York, there are some rules for painting rental apartments according to the city code. So in this article, we will discuss what you need to know before painting your NYC apartment, as well as some tips to make your home improvement project a success.
Rules For Painting Your Apartment In New York City
Below are the key rules for painting your New York City apartment according to the city code:
- If you paint your walls any color other than white, you must repaint them before moving out. If you fail to do so, your landlord may withhold your security deposit.
- If you live in a multiple-dwelling building or a building with three or more apartments, the landlord is required to paint or update your wall coverings at least once every three years. However, this rule isn’t a strict requirement, and you and your landlord can agree to postpone the paint job.
- If the walls have become unsanitary while you live there, you may be required to have them repainted. This is true unless you can prove to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development that the damage was due to your landlord’s neglect, not yours or your guests’ fault.
- It is the landlord’s responsibility to paint or wallpaper the walls of common spaces such as hallways and lobbies when deemed necessary, and not necessarily every three years.
Tips For Painting Your Apartment
Is this the first time having your apartment painted? Here are some pro tips to consider:
Make Sure To Get Detailed Estimates From The Painting Contractor
If you decide to hire your professional painters, ensure that the estimate is broken down by materials, number of coats of paint and primer, and a description of the prep work that will be performed.
Be careful of contractors who just take a quick tour around your apartment and say they’ll give you a bargain price. Ask for a proposal with an estimate of costs and carefully review it.
Consider Buying the Paint Yourself
There are some instances wherein the contractor substitutes a cheaper contractor-grade paint that has your preferred brand name but doesn’t have the same quality. This is why it’s important to hire a reputable painting company, or you might want to consider buying the paint yourself.
Choose the Ceiling Color Wisely
If you live in a small apartment, it’s recommended to choose the color of the ceiling wisely, as it can affect the perceived height. Flat paint can hide imperfections effectively, which is particularly beneficial if you’re economizing by not skim-coating your ceiling. For kitchens and bathrooms, semigloss paint is a better choice because it can resist water and scrubbing.
Hire A Licensed And Insured Painting Contractor
If you live in a condo or co-op, you must hire a licensed painting company with insurance and workers’ compensation insurance in case someone gets injured on the job. The policy must name the co-op board or condo association, the apartment owner, and the managing agent as additional insureds. Take note that this procedure may take a few days.
If you’re painting, you should inform your landlord and ask whether they have a painting contractor to recommend. While landlords often know someone, you should still verify them first, as occasionally they’re more handymen than professional painters.
The Professional Painter Might Need To Be Lead Certified
For buildings put up before 1978, the painter must have passed a lead paint certification course. Although lead paint has been off the market for quite a while, you may still encounter it when sanding years of paint from windowsills or other parts of the apartment before the actual repainting starts.
Final Thoughts
Finding a reliable painting contractor can be more complicated than it seems. Some painters will overlook simple things such as removing the outlet and switch plates before doing the paint job. Others try to cut corners and get away with applying just a single coat, when in fact, there should be at least two coats of paint. Others will try not to apply primer, which is an essential part of the job.
Let us spare you the trouble of looking for a reputable painting company that you can trust—check out Soho Painters. With a crew of highly trained painters, they can take on any residential or commercial painting job. They can also do custom murals, wallpapering, Venetian plastering, and drywall installation.
Discuss what you want to achieve with your NYC apartment, and they’ll make it happen. Get in touch with Soho Painters today!
