Can the property owner claim repair and maintenance costs as a deduction against rental income if someone else paid for the repairs and maintenance costs?

[mailepage11-gmai]

Specifically I am talking about expenses to paint the house exterior and repair the stove burners.

[AnnetteB6]

No, in general, if the property owner did not pay those costs, then they cannot be deducted as a rental expense. 

There may be extenuating circumstances that could change that answer depending on who did pay the costs.  For example, if the tenant paid the costs in exchange for a discount on their rent, then the owner may have income and expenses to report.