Landlords, What Happens When a Tenant Moved Out of Your Home? Fair Wear And Tear Tips - AUDIO
Establish fair wear and tear
Domestic tenancies must allow for reasonable wear and tear - and no deposit claim will be upheld for minor marks to a wall or slightly dirty carpets. If, however, you feel that the attrition is excessive for the period in which the tenant has lived there, you should consider making a claim.
But where is the line drawn?
There are no precise rules on what is considered "fair wear and tear" and what is considered "damage". A good rule of thumb to follow is this: has the item been damaged or worn through natural use or sheer negligence?
Here are a few examples of the difference between "fair wear and tear" and "damage":
If something was in good condition at the start of the tenancy but broken at the end (incurring a cost for replacement or repair), then it's considered "damage" and the tenant is liable to pay for it.
Cleaning is never a wear-and-tear issue. If something is filthy when it was clean to start with, it should be cleaned at the tenant's cost (provided there's proof of how clean it was at the beginning).
Light marks on the carpet are likely to be viewed as unavoidable - i.e. "fair wear and tear".
If appliances have broken down due to age, that's considered "fair wear and tear".
Carpet burns, chips and cracks in baths and sinks, and broken windows all constitute damage.
If the tenant has painted rooms in the property in a non-neutral colour without the landlord's permission, then it's considered "damage" and the cost of repainting can be charged to the tenant.
