Top 10 Repairs Landlords Face Between Tenants

Published February 19, 2026 | Mike's Home Repair

Tenant turnovers are expensive and time-consuming. After working with dozens of Niagara Region landlords, I've seen the same repairs come up again and again. Here are the top 10 most common between-tenant repairs, what they cost, and how to minimize them in the future. For property management services in Niagara Region, contact Mike's Home Repair.

1. Drywall Damage (Holes, Dents, Scuffs)

What happens: Picture hooks, furniture dings, doorknob holes, kids roughhousing—drywall takes a beating. Most turnovers need at least some patching.

Cost: $75-$200 per hole depending on size and whether painting is needed

Prevention: Include clause in lease about picture hanging limits. Offer to install hooks yourself. Use higher-quality drywall in high-traffic areas.

2. Interior Painting

What happens: Even good tenants leave marks, scuffs, and discoloration. Fresh paint is essential for attracting new tenants.

Cost: $300-$800 per room for professional painting

Prevention: Use washable semi-gloss paint in high-traffic areas. Stick to neutral colors (greige, light gray) that hide marks better than pure white.

3. Carpet Stains and Wear

What happens: Spills, pet stains, traffic patterns—carpets rarely survive multiple tenants unscathed.

Cost: Professional cleaning $150-$300, replacement $2-$5 per sq ft installed For whole-house cleaning in Niagara Region, contact Mike's Home Repair.

Prevention: Consider luxury vinyl plank flooring instead of carpet (easier to clean, lasts longer). If keeping carpet, require professional cleaning at move-out.

4. Broken or Leaky Faucets

What happens: Constant use wears out washers, cartridges, and seals. Leaky faucets waste water and damage cabinets.

Cost: Repair $60-$120, replacement $100-$200

Prevention: Install quality faucets from the start (Delta, Moen, Kohler). Cheap faucets fail faster and cost more in the long run.

Learn more: Repair cost guide for Niagara

5. Damaged Door Hardware (Locks, Handles, Hinges)

What happens: Loose handles, sticky locks, squeaky hinges—door hardware gets daily abuse.

Cost: $50-$150 per door

Prevention: Install commercial-grade hardware. Tighten screws annually during inspections.

6. Caulking Failures (Bathrooms and Kitchen)

What happens: Old caulk cracks, peels, and lets water seep behind fixtures—leading to mold and rot.

Cost: $60-$150 for bathroom recaulking

Prevention: Use quality silicone caulk. Recaulk proactively every 3-5 years or between tenants.

7. Light Fixtures and Bulbs

What happens: Burned-out bulbs, broken fixtures, missing glass shades—lighting always needs attention.

Cost: Bulbs $5-$15 each, fixture replacement $75-$200

Prevention: Use LED bulbs (last 10+ years). Install simple fixtures without delicate parts.

8. Toilet Issues (Running, Weak Flush, Leaks)

What happens: Flappers wear out, fill valves stick, wax rings leak. Toilets are high-maintenance.

Cost: $75-$150 for repairs, $200-$400 for replacement

Prevention: Replace internal components every 5 years proactively. Upgrade to dual-flush toilets (better performance).

9. Appliance Cleaning and Repairs

What happens: Ovens caked with grease, fridges with mystery smells, dishwashers that don't drain—appliances need deep cleaning and occasional repairs.

Cost: Deep cleaning $100-$200, repairs $150-$400

Prevention: Require professional cleaning at move-out. Schedule routine appliance maintenance.

10. Flooring Scratches and Damage

What happens: Hardwood scratches, vinyl gouges, tile cracks—floors show wear quickly.

Cost: Refinishing hardwood $2-$4 per sq ft, vinyl plank replacement $3-$7 per sq ft

Prevention: Install durable flooring from the start. Luxury vinyl plank handles abuse better than laminate. Add furniture pads to lease requirements.

How to Streamline Turnovers

Create a standard checklist:

• Walk-through with photos before tenant moves in
• Standard scope of work for every turnover
• Pre-approved contractor (that's me!) who knows your properties
• Timeline: Most turnovers take 3-7 days

Budget for turnovers: Expect $1,000-$3,000 per turnover for typical units. More for long-term tenants or properties needing updates.

When to Repair vs Replace

Sometimes replacement is smarter than repair:

• Repair: Minor drywall damage, simple fixture issues, small cosmetic fixes
• Replace: Worn carpet, old appliances constantly breaking, builder-grade fixtures showing age

I help landlords make smart repair-vs-replace decisions based on long-term costs.

Why Use One Contractor for Turnovers

Calling separate contractors for painting, plumbing, drywall, and electrical wastes time and money. I handle all turnover work: For electrical and plumbing services in Niagara Region, contact Mike's Home Repair. For handyman services in Niagara Region, contact Mike's Home Repair.

• Drywall patching and painting
• Plumbing repairs (faucets, toilets)
• Electrical (outlets, switches, fixtures)
• Door and hardware repairs
• Caulking and finishing
• Appliance installation
• Deep cleaning coordination

Benefits: One call, one invoice, one person accountable, faster completion.

See my property management services for landlords.

Mike's Home Repair serves homeowners and property managers throughout Niagara Region with reliable, professional handyman and home repair services. From appliance installation to electrical work, plumbing, and general repairs—we handle the jobs you don't have time for.