Fair wear and tear is the natural deterioration that happens to a property and its contents through normal, everyday use over time. A landlord cannot charge a tenant for it. Damage, on the other hand, is harm caused by an accident, misuse or neglect, and a tenant can be asked to pay towards putting it right.
Typical fair wear and tear
- Light scuffs to walls and paintwork in busy areas such as hallways
- Carpets flattened or slightly worn along the main walking routes
- Sun fading to curtains, blinds or flooring
- Small marks around light switches and door handles
- Loose door handles or worn hinges from normal use
Typical damage
- Burns, stains or tears in carpets and upholstery
- Holes in walls from fixings put up without permission
- Broken appliances, furniture or fittings
- Scratches or water damage to worktops and floors
- Mould caused by not ventilating the property
What decides it
There is no fixed list, so each item is judged on its own facts. The things that matter most are the length of the tenancy, the number of people living in the property, and the age and quality of the item at the start. A carpet that was new at the start of a one year tenancy should look very different from one that was already ten years old at the start of a five year tenancy.
Why the inventory matters
None of this can be judged without a clear record of how things were at the start. A detailed inventory with dated photographs lets the clerk at check-out, and if necessary the deposit scheme adjudicator, see exactly what has changed and decide fairly whether it is wear and tear or damage.
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