Understanding your situation
You are a landlord and discovered that your tenant has made unauthorized changes to the property or caused damage that exceeds normal wear and tear. Common scenarios:
- Tenant painted rooms without permission (bright colors, murals)
- Tenant installed fixtures (shelving, TV brackets, door locks) without permission
- Tenant removed fixtures (curtain rods, built-in appliances) without permission
- Property inspection revealed damage to walls, floors, appliances, or fixtures
- Tenant has kept unauthorized pets that have caused damage
- Unauthorized structural or cosmetic alterations were made
- Garden or outdoor area has been damaged or significantly altered
What you need to prepare
- ✓Move-in inspection report or photos documenting original condition
- ✓Current photos showing the unauthorized alterations or damage
- ✓Lease agreement provisions about alterations and property condition
- ✓Estimates from contractors for restoration or repair costs
⏰ Deadline
Send this notice promptly upon discovering the issue. Give the tenant a reasonable time to remedy: typically 14–30 days for restoration, or a shorter period if safety is involved.
🏛️ Authority
Security deposit deduction (at end of tenancy). Small Claims Court (if damages exceed deposit). County Court / Amtsgericht (larger claims).
⚖️ Legal basis
Tenancy agreement (contract). UK: s.11 and common law obligations of tenant care. US: implied covenant of good condition in most state statutes. DE: §§ 535, 538, 548 BGB.
Expert tips
- 1Reference the specific clause in the lease that requires permission for alterations.
- 2Provide a clear restoration deadline and specify exactly what must be restored to what standard.
- 3Document everything with photos before and after - this is critical if you need to claim from the deposit.
- 4Distinguish between restoration demands (tenant must undo the alterations) and compensation demands (tenant pays for you to restore).
- 5Maintain a professional tone - the goal is resolution, not escalation.