The Never-Ending Battle: Normal Wear and Tear vs. Damage

“To charge or not to charge” is the question that can potentially cause some severe issues between owners and vacating tenants. While many owners would prefer the ability to defer the costs of as many repairs as possible onto the tenant, careful consideration must be taken when deciding what is considered wear and tear and what is chargeable damage. Tenants should not be charged for the normal wear and tear that occurs when a home is inhabited, but neglect and misuse of a property certainly should be taken from the tenant’s deposit. For owners, it is always important to consider that wrongfully withholding a security deposit can lead to large amounts of time and money spent dealing with courts and legal fees.

So what can tenants be charged for and what should the owner expect to pay for? Painting walls tends to be one of the biggest points of contention when charging a tenant’s security deposit. A fantastic general rule when it comes to the walls of a property is if it can be covered by one coat of white paint, it is normal wear and tear. Scuffs on the wall or odd nail holes do not equal damages that can be charged to the tenant’s deposit. Think of it this way: what sort of wear and tear can you reasonably expect to see after someone has lived in the same place every day for a year? What can be considered damage?

Wear and Tear Loose or stubborn locks Loose hinges and door handles Light carpet stains in high traffic areas Carpet seams unglued Scuffed up wood floors Worn linoleum Worn countertop Stains from rain or bad plumbing Plaster cracks from settling Faded, chipped, or cracked paint Loose wallpaper Curtain rods installed Faded curtains and drapes Heat faded or warped blinds Dirty window or door screens Sticky windows Small nail holes in walls Toilet runs or wobbles

Damage Broken or missing locks Damage to door from forced entry Torn, stained, or burned carpet Rust or oil stains on carpet Badly scratched or gouged wood floors Linoleum with tears or holes Burns or cuts in countertop Stains from overflowed tubs, toilets, or sinks Holes in walls from kids or carelessness Unapproved or poor tenant paint job Ripped or marked up wallpaper Broken curtain rods Torn or missing curtains and drapes Blinds with bent or broken slats Torn or missing screens Broken windows Large drywall anchor or screw holes Broken toilet seat or tank Pet stains on carpets or walls Excessive garbage, furniture, or personal items left