Can I paint the flat or hang pictures without the landlord's permission?
Hanging pictures or putting up the odd shelf is normal use of the home and, unless the tenancy agreement prohibits it, does not require permission. Painting is not one of the works for which the law requires permission either, but when you leave you will have to return the flat as you received it, apart from normal wear and tear over time. If you have painted it a different colour, the landlord can require you to put it back as it was or deduct the cost of doing so from the statutory deposit (the “fianza”). If the agreement prohibits painting or making holes without permission, that clause is valid and you will have to comply with it.
Alburquerque Abogados
José Manuel AlburquerquePictures and holes
Making a few holes to hang pictures, a mirror or a shelf is part of normal use of a home and is not building work that changes its configuration. When the tenant leaves, some landlords deduct the cost of repairing those holes from the deposit. If they are few and normal, it is debatable whether they amount to damage rather than ordinary wear and tear. To avoid the argument, the simplest thing is to fill them and touch them up before handing over the keys, or to agree in writing what will be done about them.
Painting
Painting does not change the configuration of the home. But at the end of the tenancy you must return it just as you received it, apart from whatever has deteriorated over time. If you have chosen a different colour, the landlord can ask you to repaint it as it was or deduct the cost of doing so from the deposit. If you have painted it the same colour and done it well, there should be no problem. The prudent course is to ask for permission in writing and to make clear whether you will have to go back to the original colour at the end.
What the agreement says and handing over the keys
If the agreement prohibits painting or making holes without permission and you do not comply, you will have to leave the home as it was and, where appropriate, pay for the damage. When handing over the keys, it is advisable to sign a document with the landlord recording the condition of the home, with dated photos. In tenancy agreements signed or renewed since 8 October 2026, that document is compulsory. If it is not signed or does not record any damage, the home is presumed to have been returned in good condition, unless the contrary is proved.
This answer is provided for educational purposes and offers initial guidance on the question raised. Every matter has its own circumstances and nuances that require individual assessment. For that reason, before taking decisions with significant consequences, it is advisable to consult a professional and not to rely solely on this information. Personalised advice makes it possible to apply these explanations to the specific case and to assess the options available with greater certainty.