Is normal wear and tear deducted from a security deposit?
What counts as wear and tear
Wear and tear is the natural deterioration from everyday living: faded paint, minor carpet worn from walking, small nail holes, or a slightly loose door handle. These are not your responsibility.
Damage is different: a hole punched in a wall, pet stains, burn marks, or missing fixtures. Landlords can deduct for damage, but they must show it's beyond normal use.
How to protect yourself
At move-in, note existing wear and tear on a checklist and take dated photos. At move-out, clean to the same level you received the unit. If a landlord tries to charge for wear and tear, cite your state's law—many explicitly say wear and tear is not deductible.
If you dispute a deduction, ask for receipts or estimates. Landlords can't charge for repainting after a normal tenancy if the paint was already old.
- Wear and tear: faded paint, minor carpet wear, small nail holes.
- Damage: holes, stains, broken items, pet damage.
- Document condition at move-in and move-out.
- Ask for receipts for any deduction.
- Know your state's rules—some are stricter than others.
Common mistakes
- Thinking all deductions are valid—landlords often wrongly charge for routine repainting or carpet replacement.
- Not taking photos before moving in, which makes it harder to prove wear and tear existed.
- Assuming you must pay for professional cleaning even if the unit is left reasonably clean.
