Cementing Basement Walls

[tw]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

So now our landlord wants to cement over the basement, most likely on our dime.

The cement (plaster) must have something to stick to. Cement will not stick to latex paint (assuming you meant latex interior wall paint). The process of 'sticking' involves a bonding of that cement to something that the cement can be absorbed into - cinder block, concrete, stone. That cement would just peal off the paint.

You might consider a sand blasting solution. Or (if you can address the flood and humidity problems) high pressure water hose.

What is the basement vintage and material? 1930 concrete? That was typically sandy. Often easier to remove paint from. And yes, you do have in interesting problem - ignoring the legal aspects.