Routine repainting to freshen a unit between tenants is normally ordinary turnover the landlord pays for. You can be charged for paint only when you caused damage beyond normal wear — unapproved colors, drawings, large or numerous holes, smoke staining — and even then often only a prorated amount based on the paint’s age.
[Your name / address / contact]
[Date]
[Landlord name / address]
Re: Disputed repainting charge — [former rental address, unit #]
Dear [Landlord name],
I dispute the "[repaint / painting] — $[amount]" charge on your itemized
statement dated [date]. The walls showed only normal wear after [length]
of tenancy: [minor scuffs / faint marks / small nail holes I filled].
There was no damage beyond ordinary use.
Routine repainting between tenants is ordinary turnover and is not a
permitted deduction from a security deposit. In addition, the unit was
last painted [when, if known], so any chargeable amount would be limited
to a prorated share of the paint's remaining useful life — not the full
cost.
My move-out photos dated [date] are enclosed. Please remove this charge
and refund $[amount] within [10] days.
Sincerely,
[Signature / printed name]
Small nail holes are usually normal wear. Filling them is part of routine repainting. Dozens of large anchors, or holes you didn’t patch, can be different — be honest about which you have, and let the photos speak.
See also normal wear vs damage and, if the quote looks padded, inflated repair costs.