Tenant Damage vs. Normal Wear and Tear
Ask a QuestionWhat to Know
Not sure whether you’re looking at tenant damage or normal wear and tear after a lease has ended and your resident has moved out? This can be a sticky area for a lot of landlords.
Normal Wear and Tear
Normal wear and tear looks like the regular deterioration that occurs based on intended use. Wear and tear is not the result of negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse. It’s what happens when someone is living in a property. You cannot charge the tenant’s security deposit for these issues. Examples include:
• Faded, chipped, or peeling paint
• Scuff marks on walls or windows from where furniture was placed.
• Small chips in plaster or tile
• Nail holes or pin holes in walls
• Door sticking from humidity
Tenant Damage
Damage is more serious than normal wear and tear. It’s due to the abuse, misuse, or neglect of your property, and it’s caused by your tenant or a tenant’s guest. The cost to repair this damage can be withheld from the security deposit whereas owners are responsible for the cost to repair or improve wear and tear issues. Examples are:
• Large holes in wall or drywall
• Large carpet stains or gouges in wood floors
• Drawing or coloring on walls and floors
• Broken windows, doors, and appliances
• Missing fixtures or holes from removed fixtures
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