Painting your home - guidelines for Homes NSW tenants
Homes NSW tenants can do minor internal painting with pastel or neutral colours. Major internal painting is handled by Homes NSW contractors. Always seek approval from the Maintenance Hub before painting to avoid potential damage charges.
Types of internal painting
There are two types of internal painting:
- major internal painting
- minor internal painting (decorative coat)
We will not pay costs for any decorative painting you do.
Major internal painting
Major painting involves restoring or preparing walls is necessary. This includes:
- surface preparation
- sanding
- applying undercoats.
Major internal painting must meet strict standards, including fire safety. As a tenant, you are not allowed to do this work, only a Homes NSW contractor can.
We do annual compliance surveys to identify properties that need maintenance. This includes major internal painting. We then prioritise and schedule these works as part of our maintenance works. We will tell you if major internal painting is scheduled for your home.
Minor internal painting (decorative coat)
You may apply a decorative coat of paint (one or two coats) to your walls. Only pastel or neutral colours and 100 percent acrylic (water based) paint should be used. The following are not allowed:
- dark colours like black, brown, red and purple
- painting doors, ceiling or architraves
- hanging wallpaper or painting decorative friezes
- any surface preparation, sanding or undercoats as this is considered major internal painting.
Getting approval for minor internal painting
Contact the Maintenance Hub before painting your walls. If your property is scheduled for painting under the Maintenance Program, you may not be allowed to paint.
If the painting does not meet our standards or you have done other painting without approval, you may be responsible for damage charges.