Painting a rental property in Perth requires a different approach to painting your own home. As a landlord, the goal is not personal preference — it is durability, low maintenance, tenant appeal and minimising the cost of repaints over the life of the tenancy. This guide covers everything Perth landlords need to know about painting rental properties, from product selection to timing and cost.
Why Rental Property Paint Choice Matters
The wrong paint choice in a rental property costs landlords money. Flat or matt paints look good when first applied but show every mark, scuff and handprint — and in a rental environment where tenants change every 12 to 24 months, walls take a beating. Using washable, durable paint from the start dramatically reduces repainting frequency and touch-up costs over time.
Colour choice also matters. Bold or unusual colours chosen by a previous owner can put prospective tenants off before they even step inside. Neutral palettes maximise tenant appeal, reduce vacancy periods and give incoming tenants a blank canvas to personalise with their own furnishings.
Best Paint for Rental Properties in Perth
Interior Walls — Low Sheen Washable Acrylic
Low sheen washable acrylic is the only sensible choice for interior walls in a Perth rental property. It handles scuffs, marks and cleaning without the paint surface breaking down the way matt paint does under repeated wiping. Dulux Wash and Wear in low sheen is our most frequently specified product for rental interiors — it lives up to its name in a rental environment and holds colour well between tenancies.
Avoid flat or matt finishes on rental walls. They look great on day one but by the end of the first tenancy they will be marked, scuffed and require full repainting rather than a simple clean or touch-up.
Ceilings — Flat White Ceiling Paint
Standard flat white ceiling paint on all ceilings. Dulux Ceiling White is the standard specification — it dries flat, covers well in one coat and is easy to touch up between tenancies. No need for anything more expensive on ceilings in a rental property.
Trims, Doors and Skirtings — Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss on all trims, doors, skirtings and architraves. Semi-gloss is durable, washable and easy to wipe clean — important in a rental where doors and trims get knocked and touched constantly. It also allows easy touch-ups without the repainted areas being obvious.
Wet Areas — Moisture Resistant Paint
Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens need a moisture-resistant paint system. Standard interior acrylics break down in high-humidity environments over time. Using a product like Dulux Aquanamel or a dedicated bathroom paint in wet areas prevents mould growth, peeling and the premature repainting that results from using the wrong product.
Best Colours for Rental Properties in Perth
Neutral, warm whites and light warm greige tones are the best colours for Perth rental properties. They appeal to the widest range of prospective tenants, make rooms feel larger and brighter, and photograph well for online listings. Popular choices include Dulux Natural White, Dulux Antique White USA and similar warm neutral tones.
Use a consistent colour throughout the entire property — the same wall colour in every room, the same ceiling white, the same trim colour. This simplifies touch-ups significantly. When a tenant damages a section of wall, matching paint is straightforward when a single colour runs throughout. Multiple colours in different rooms mean multiple paint tins to store and match at the end of every tenancy.
When to Repaint a Rental Property in Perth
Between Tenancies
The most common time to repaint a rental property is between tenancies — when the property is vacant and accessible without disrupting anyone. This is the ideal time for a full repaint as rooms are empty, walls are exposed and the painter has unrestricted access throughout the property.
The standard in Perth is a full interior repaint every 7 to 10 years in a well-maintained rental, with spot touch-ups between tenancies where the overall condition is still good. A property that has been through several tenancies without a full repaint will typically need one before it can be re-let at a competitive rent.
Tenant Damage
Significant damage beyond fair wear and tear — large holes, deep scratches, staining or unauthorised paint colours applied by a tenant — typically needs to be addressed before re-letting. In these cases painting costs may be recoverable from the tenant’s bond through the Magistrates Court Small Claims process or through the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety bond dispute process.
Pre-Sale Repaint
If you are selling a tenanted investment property, a fresh exterior repaint significantly improves kerb appeal and can lift the sale price materially. This is best done when the property is between tenancies or by coordinating with the tenant for exterior access. See our [pre-sale painting guide](/pre-sale-painting-perth/) for more detail.
How Much Does Rental Property Painting Cost in Perth?
- Touch-up between tenancies (good overall condition): $300 to $800
- Full interior repaint of a 3 bedroom unit or townhouse: $3,500 to $7,000
- Full interior repaint of a 3 to 4 bedroom house: $5,000 to $10,000
- Exterior repaint of a standard rental property: $2,500 to $6,000
We provide free on-site quotes for all rental property painting throughout Perth. Call 0474 157 273 or fill in our contact form.
Tips for Perth Landlords
- Keep a record of paint colours used — note the exact product and colour name after each repaint so touch-ups can be matched precisely at the end of the next tenancy
- Store a small amount of leftover paint — keep 1 to 2 litres of the wall colour and trim colour for touch-ups between tenancies
- Photograph walls at the start of every tenancy — timestamped photos of wall condition at move-in are essential for any bond claim related to painting damage
- Use a consistent colour throughout — simplifies touch-ups and matching significantly
- Time exterior repaints carefully — schedule exterior work between tenancies or during Perth’s drier months when weather conditions are most suitable
Perth Landlord Painting Service
Auzz Painting Service works regularly with Perth landlords and property managers on rental property repaints throughout the Perth metro area. We understand the time pressures of vacant properties, provide free on-site quotes with quick turnaround and complete jobs to a durable standard that minimises future maintenance costs. Call 0474 157 273 or fill in our contact form to book your free rental property painting quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Perth, a well-maintained rental property typically needs a full interior repaint every 7 to 10 years, with touch-ups between tenancies where the overall condition is good. Properties with higher tenant turnover or that have had significant wear may need repainting more frequently. Using durable low sheen washable paints from the start extends the time between full repaints significantly.
Dulux Wash and Wear in low sheen is the best interior wall paint for Perth rental properties. It is genuinely washable, durable and holds colour well between tenancies. Use Dulux Ceiling White on ceilings, semi-gloss on all trims and doors, and a moisture-resistant paint in bathrooms and laundries.
You can claim painting costs from a tenant’s bond if the damage is beyond fair wear and tear. Normal scuffs and minor marks after a long tenancy are considered fair wear and tear and cannot be claimed. Significant damage such as large holes, deep gouges, staining or unauthorised paint colours applied by the tenant can be claimed through the bond dispute process. Timestamped photos taken at move-in are essential evidence for any bond claim.
Warm whites and light neutral tones are the best colours for Perth rental properties. Dulux Natural White and Dulux Antique White USA are popular choices — they appeal to a wide range of tenants, make rooms feel larger and brighter, and simplify touch-up matching. Use the same colour throughout the entire property to make future touch-ups straightforward.
Yes. We work regularly with Perth landlords and property managers on rental property repaints throughout the Perth metro area. We provide free on-site quotes with quick turnaround and complete jobs to a durable standard suited to rental environments. Call 0474 157 273 or fill in our contact form to book.