When a tenant moves out of a unit, the landlord may deduct from a tenant’s security deposit to repair damage to the premises that is caused by the tenant, but only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.
All Pacific Home Rental leases contain clauses requiring a tenant to maintain a unit in a “good and clean condition” and by that, we expect the unit to be returned in substantially the same condition as when the tenant moved in. The lease is a contract, and any violation of its terms, including terms regarding the condition of the unit, can result in security deposit deductions.
What does “ordinary or normal wear and tear” mean?
Generally, “ordinary or normal wear and tear” is the average deterioration of furniture, carpets and other features of a rental property due to normal use over time.
Deductions on tenant's security deposit may be issued to repair damages other than normal wear and tear, and are typically the ones considered avoidable and negligent, and not due to simply living in or using the property.
Additionally, a tenant may also be charged for cleaning where the tenant has caused filth beyond ordinary use.
Common Examples
Ordinary Wear and Tear - A few small nail holes, chips, scuffs or smudges
Tenant Liability - An inordinate amount of nail holes, or a gaping hole in the wall
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Faded paint
Tenant Liability - Unauthorized paint colors, water damage caused by hanging plants, furniture scrapes, crayon marks
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Carpet faded or worn thin
Tenant Liability - Holes, rips, tears, burns, or stains on carpet
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Minor scuffs on wood floors
Tenant Liability - Gouges or excessive scratches due to pet claws or from moving furniture
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Scratched or worn enamel on bathtubs or sinks
Tenant Liability - Chipped or broken enamel
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Garbage disposal motor dead
Tenant Liability - Broken garbage disposal due to avocado pits placed down the drain
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Loose door handles or cabinet pulls
Tenant Liability - Missing door handles or cabinet pulls
Ordinary Wear and Tear - A few small nail holes, chips, scuffs or smudges
Tenant Liability - An inordinate amount of nail holes, or a gaping hole in the wall
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Stuck door or window
Tenant Liability - Broken door or window
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Worn countertops
Tenant Liability - Cuts in or burns on countertops
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Running toilet
Tenant Liability - Broken toilet tank
Ordinary Wear and Tear -Dirty mini-blinds
Tenant Liability - Missing or broken mini-blinds
Ordinary Wear and Tear - Leaky faucet
Tenant Liability - Structural damage due to unreported water leak
How can a tenant protect their security deposit from repair deductions for damage?
Prior to or at move in, Pacific Home Rental always performs a walkthrough of the unit and document any areas of damage and deterioration. We also encourage our tenants to take photographs if possible and share the results of this initial walkthrough with us within 48 hours after they physically moved-in. This will give both Landlord and Tenant a record of the exact condition the unit was in at the time tenant moved in.
During the tenancy, tenants should promptly notify us of any items in need of repair, especially those that can result in extensive damage (emergency repairs). If these repair are not reported promptly, later we may have to hold the tenant responsible for damages caused by them.
A tenant who allows a leak to go unreported for months may be held responsible because damage caused by neglect is not normal wear and tear.
A tenant is entitled to request a walkthrough inspection just prior to vacating.
This can take place two weeks before the termination of the tenancy. Based on this walkthrough inspection, we will provide the tenant an itemized list specifying proposed repairs or cleanings.
This walkthrough is meant to provide tenant with the opportunity to address any issues before vacating.