Rental apartment renovation - before letting and after tenants

What makes a rental apartment renovation different

The landlord renovates an apartment in which they will not live themselves. So what matters more is how easily the finish can be repaired or renewed later, not what the owner likes. If the walls are painted, one damaged spot can be skimmed and repainted; if the floor has one covering throughout the apartment, next time it is easier to replace only the damaged room.

The second difference is time. If there is little time between tenants, take into account the drying time of the materials stated by the manufacturer. How long a renovation takes depends on the amount of work and the drying time of the materials.

Renovation before letting

Before the first letting, decide what in the apartment is already in order and what must be renewed. It may be an old floor covering, worn doors and old tiling in the bathroom. If the bathroom has to be renewed completely, see bathroom renovation.

The Fire Safety Regulations currently in force require an apartment in an apartment building to have a stand-alone smoke detector, at least one on each floor of the apartment; it is placed at the ceiling in rooms where people mostly sleep or stay. The electrical wiring is tested every 10 years and the results are recorded in a report. If the apartment has gas appliances, the natural ventilation ducts are cleaned and inspected at least once every five years, and in other rooms at least once every 10 years.

Renovation after tenants

After the tenant moves out, first photograph every room and the damage in close-up. Everyone must compensate for the losses they have caused by their action or inaction, so photos, an estimate and invoices help if you discuss the cost of the damage with the tenant. Then note down what is ordinary wear and what is damage.

If the damage is in the building's common property, for example a riser or a radiator whose operation depends on the building's heating, the work needs the consent of the apartment owners' association and is organised by the building manager. The apartment owner must allow persons authorised by the manager to access the building's services, so leave a hatch at the risers during the renovation.

Work in the usual order between two tenants

1. Photos and list of work Every room, the damage in close-up, meter readings.
2. Demolition and wet work Removing damaged finish, renewing tile grout joints, skimming. See tile grout renewal.
3. Painting Walls and ceilings.
4. Floors and doors Replacing damaged covering, adjusting or replacing doors, skirting boards.
5. Small jobs Socket and switch covers. Check that the apartment has a smoke detector. If only one plumbing repair is needed, see santehnikisriga.lv.

What the landlord decides

• Whether to renovate the whole apartment or only the damaged rooms.
• Whether you will choose the materials yourself; write it in your request.
• By what date the apartment must be ready for the next tenant.
• Whether the building has set renovation hours; ask the building manager, because house rules can be set by the apartment owners' association.
• Whether you will agree the work and the price in writing; an estimate and a list help to prove what was agreed.

How much does a rental apartment renovation cost?

Cosmetic renovation: from €100/m² of apartment area. Individual jobs: painting walls or ceilings from €4/m², skimming walls or ceilings from €10/m², laminate installation from €6.50/m², installing interior doors from €100 per door. Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate.

An example: a 2-room apartment of 50 m², cosmetic renovation: 50 × €100 = from €5,000 (labour). If after a tenant only one room with 40 m² of walls has to be renewed: skimming €400 and painting €160, in total from €560.

The price is affected by the area and the number of rooms, the condition of the walls, floors and ceilings and the chosen finish. All prices: prices.

What this work includes