Definition of normal wear and tear on rental homes

Day to day wear and tear is a normal incident

Tenant law in most states is knowingly brief, the phrase “ordinary wear and tear” continues to be a highly debated topic. As per Halt, a legal reform group, all states permit a landlord to demand a security deposit, but the amount should be given back as long as the tenant vacates the property in its original condition, less normal wear and tear.

Assertive life

If a renter lives aggressively and causes destruction beyond normal use, a landlord has a reason to charge the renter for the destruction. This may include any harm caused by the renter, his visitors or pets.

Wear and Tear against damages

Burned or stained carpeting is damage while entangled carpet is wear and tear. Big holes in the walls mean damages while a few small nail holes is wear and tear; Wide stains on the walls is damage while fading or yellowing of paint is wear and tear. Other signals of day to day wear and tear are tattered electrical switches, loose wallpaper, faded curtains and dirty window screens. Time and daily use can cause these things to become tattered and don’t constitute damages.

Remain in control of the situation

One way to prevent causing damage it to remain in control of typical maintenance issues as they come, rather then granting them to cause problems. For example, if you have a dripping kitchen pipe, contact your landlord and have it fixed before it causes the wood under the sink to rot. If you have a broken window that enables rain to blow in, have it rectified before it destroys the woodwork around the window or the flooring. If you want to change your flooring, a simple MDF skirting will add to the look of the kitchen. This https://www.octopusskirting.com.au/mdf-skirting-fremantle/, offers the best services in the matter of days. Nipping your predicament in the bud can avoid wear and tear from turning into damage.

Be Secure

Roam around the property with your landlord before transferring. Take down notes of any existing issue and take pictures of every noticeable problem, even if it seems small. Do another tour with your landlord before moving out and request him to carefully inspect the property. He should give you a chance to fix any problems before charging you for them. Once again, take pictures of anything interesting. The thought is to be able to justify that any changes to the home are due to wear and tear and that you have not destroyed the property in any way.

Claim you rights

If the landlord charged damages from your security deposit after you moved out, and you know that it’s a normal wear and tear, send him a notice. Send a mail, requesting for your security deposit and provide pictures as evidence that you did not destroy the property. If the landlord doesn’t reply, you can take him to your local small claims court. If the property has been taken care of and you moved out without causing any damage, you have the right to contend for your deposit by supplying the court with evidence of everyday wear and tear.


We are Frisco, TX home specialists. If you have any questions about real estate in Frisco, or any neighboring DFW communities, please fill out our contact form, or call 469-556-2393 for assistance.

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Nick Walton
JP & Associates Realtors
469-556-2393
[email protected]