Normal wear and tear in Washington is defined as deterioration that occurs from the intended use of the rental unit and without negligence, carelessness, accident, misuse, or abuse of the premises or contents by the tenant, members of the household of the tenant, or the invitees or guests of the tenant.
What is normal wear and tear on a rental property?
Carpeting has a limited lifetime, especially if it’s a light color. Normal wear and tear for a rental property includes: Shoe markings in the halls and main walkways. Light stains, which are expected over a period of a few years.
What's the difference between normal wear and tear and actual damage?
Differentiating between normal wear and tear and actual property damage is the difference between paying for fixes yourself and holding back a portion of your tenant's security deposit. Make sure you know which is which. What's considered normal wear and tear in a house?
What constitutes normal wear and tear under Georgia law?
Normal wear and tear can be difficult to define, and this landlord-tenant law varies by state. Georgia law attempts to define it as such: “A landlord cannot retain a security deposit to cover normal wear and tear that occurs as a result of the tenant using the property for its intended purpose.”
What are some examples of normal wear and tear?
Examples of Normal Wear and Tear A few small nail holes, chips, smudges, dents, scrapes, or cracks in the walls Faded paint or slightly torn, faded wallpaper Carpet faded or worn thin from walking
Can a landlord collect a deposit in WA?
Is normal wear and tear in WA?
About this website
Who ultimately decides what is considered “normal” damage?
Landlords and state laws determine what damages are considered normal. Landlords should send tenants an itemized list of the damage(s) and repair c...
Are marks and nail holes in walls considered normal wear and tear?
Pin-sized holes and scuffs usually are considered normal wear and tear. Unless the holes and marks cause repairs outside routine maintenance, they...
Can a tenant contest a charge against their deposit?
In some states, tenants can sue their landlord over deductions on security deposits. To avoid this, ensure correct documentation during the move-in...
Does pet rent cover pet damages?
No, pet rent doesn’t cover damages. However, a pet deposit or a pet fee can cover these damages. Some state laws don’t allow landlords to take dama...
What Is Considered Normal Wear and Tear In Washington?
Normal wear and tear in Washington is defined as deterioration that occurs from the intended use of the rental unit and without negligence, carelessness, accident, misuse, or abuse of the premises or contents by the tenant, members of the household of the tenant, or the invitees or guests of the tenant.
Landlord's Guide to Normal Wear and Tear in Rentals
The best way to prevent damage to your property is to mitigate the possibility from the start. If you’re concerned about tenants damaging your property beyond normal wear and tear, you can screen all potential tenants’ criminal and credit history and request references from past landlords with Apartments.com.
What is normal wear and tear?
If you’re having a hard time spotting the difference between the two, Merriam-Webster defines normal wear and tear as “normal depreciation,” meaning that if someone lives in a rental, it’s going to appear slightly lived in by the time they move out.
Is a pin sized hole considered normal wear and tear?
Pin-sized holes and scuffs are normally considered normal wear and tear. Unless the holes and marks cause issues that must be repaired outside of routine maintenance, they should fall under normal wear and tear.
Stained carpets
Carpeting has a limited lifetime, especially if it’s a light color. Normal wear and tear for a rental property includes:
Scuffed walls
Minor markings on the walls can be easily touched up or cleaned, but anything that changes the condition of the wall could be considered damage beyond normal wear and tear for a rental property, such as:
Cracked tiles and broken hardware
Damages to these items can be a judgment call. One factor to consider is if they were old or new at the time of move in.
Damage from pets
When renting to tenants with pets, most landlords include a pet agreement in the lease and require a higher security deposit or a separate nonrefundable fee to cover any damages.
Dirt, dust and grime
It’s reasonable to request that tenants clean the unit before they move out. Notify them of what’s expected so they have time to clean and make any necessary repairs before the inspection.
What is normal wear and tear?
Normal wear and tear is generally defined as any damage associated with the regular use of an object – in this case, your rental unit. Basically, if a door knob has scuffed up the wall behind it or the sun has faded those nice curtains, all of that would qualify as the normal wear and tear of everyday use.
Who is responsible for maintaining normal wear and tear?
Nearly all legislatures have determined that a landlord is responsible for maintaining normal wear and tear, and tenants should be protected from erroneous repair fees.
Can a landlord collect a deposit in WA?
First things first, no checklist = landlord cannot collect the deposit, regardless of the condition of the property. Next, there is no set definition of normal wear and tear in WA, it is what ever the judge interprets it to be. Obviously damage that is cause by a person using the property in a non-normal way would not be normal wear and tear (painting on the walls). Additionally, a judge may interpret normal use of the...
Is normal wear and tear in WA?
Next, there is no set definition of normal wear and tear in WA, it is what ever the judge interprets it to be. Obviously damage that is cause by a person using the property in a non-normal way would not be normal wear and tear (painting on the walls). Additionally, a judge may interpret normal use of the... 1 found this answer helpful.
