Filling drill and plug holes: a guide

1. Do I have to fill plug holes in a rented apartment?

Drilled holes in walls and ceilings are considered minor defects in a rented apartment. According to tenancy law: tenants are responsible for fixing such minor defects (Art. 259 of the Swiss Code of Obligations).

Properly filled plug holes are considered “normal wear and tear”. Normal wear and tear is already covered by the rent. In other words: you don’t have to pay for drilled holes that have been professionally filled. However, if you don’t fill the plug holes properly, you must pay for the subsequent repairs.

Good to know: according to the tenants’ association, the colour of the filled plug hole may differ slightly from the wall colour.

2. Filling drilled holes professionally: what are the costs?

In practice, it is common to leave the drilled holes in the rented apartment open. The landlord will then take care of the professional filling of the plug holes.

According to the tenants’ association, you should expect costs of 5 francs per plug hole. Contact your rental company or landlord and find out whether this is possible. This way, you can avoid disputes about whether the plug holes have been professionally filled.

3. Filling holes in the wall: how it’s done

What tools do I need to fix plug holes?

To fill drill holes, you will need the following tools:

• Spatula

• Filling compound

• Matching screwdriver for the scews in the wall plugs

• Pointed pliers

• Fine-grained sandpaper

• Stain eraser if necessary

• Vacuum cleaner

All tools are available at DIY stores. Apart from the vacuum cleaner, the costs vary between 1 and 30 francs, depending on the product and how much you need. If you were to buy the cheapest product in each case, you would have to expect a total cost of around 25 francs without the vacuum cleaner.

How should I prepare the wall before filling the hole?

1. Use the screwdriver to unscrew the screw a little. Pull out the wall plug with the screw. For this, you’ll need the pliers. Remove the plug slowly and with as little force as possible. This will prevent further damage to the wall or ceiling plaster.

2. The filling compound will only stick to a clean surface. Carefully clean the holes with the vacuum cleaner. This way, you will remove loose plaster in and around the holes.

How can I fill the plug holes?

1. You can now apply the filling compound. You’ll find instructions for this on the packaging. Observe the specified drying time.

2. Once the filling compound has dried, you should sand down any unevenness. Do this carefully using some fine-grained sandpaper.

3. Does the wall or ceiling still have paint stains or scratches? The stains are usually easily removable with a stain eraser. Test the sponge somewhere inconspicuous before starting to remove the stains.