Wear & Tear Defined

What's the difference between “Normal Wear and Tear” and damages attributed to resident abuse or neglect?

During occupancy, things can degrade from normal wear and tear, not attributed to resident neglect. Such deterioration is different than damages caused by resident abuse or neglect. Below are examples of both:

Normal Wear and Tear

Lessening in value of an asset because of normal use

GENERAL:

  • Loose electrical switches/plates
  • Minor pin/nail holes from pictures (limit 40 holes) per house
  • Minor scuffing of walls/baseboards
  • Cracked painting because of settling of the rental
  • Furniture indentation in carpet
  • Minor traffic pattern on carpets and tile
  • Minor rubs/scuffs on door finish

KITCHEN:

  • Corroded stove drip pans
  • Minor scuffing of flooring
  • Stiff drawers/hinges

BATHROOM:

  • Loose toilet seat
  • Stiff faucets
  • Loose towel racks
  • Worn caulking on toilet/tub

 

Resident Abuse or Neglect

Misuse of neglect by Resident that reduces value/usefulness

GENERAL:

  • Neglecting to report maintenance issues, especially from water leaks, and the resulting damage that occurs.
  • Failure to clean unit according to “Move Out Instructions”
  • Lightbulb burned out, missing or wrong bulb type
  • Electrical switches/plates broken or missing
  • Tampering or damage to smoke/CO detectors
  • Smoke damage from burning candles, incense, hookahs or cigars/cigarettes/vape pens, including odor damage
  • Flea/bed bug infestation
  • Urine, pet/animal odor
  • Repainting walls to cover unauthorized resident painting
  • Repainting walls due to excessive marks/dirt/food/grease
  • Excessive holes in walls (exceeding the 40-tack-hole limit) or large holes
  • Drawing, crayon markings, stickers/stamps, or wallpaper
  • Pasting/sticking decals and stickers on windows, doors, walls
  • Abandoned trash inside or outside
  • Burns, tears, stains, or excessive wear to carpets
  • Burns, tears, stains, excessive wear, water or urine damage to laminate or vinyl plank flooring
  • Cuts, tears, holes in linoleum or vinyl
  • Damaged doors, door jams, and/or door trim
  • Damage to a door/door frame from forced entry
  • Damage to doors/door frames, door trim or walls from pet scratching or activity.
  • Missing doorstops/holes from missing door stops
  • Installation of key-locking doorknobs
  • Broken/cracked windows or window frames
  • Window/door screen material holes, slits, tears or bent frames
  • Dirty, broken, bent, damaged, or missing mini-blinds or drapes
  • Damaged light fixtures

KITCHEN:

  • Burned, cut, scratched or water-damaged countertops
  • Grease/oil splatter and staining on countertops (especially granite), backsplash, or cabinets from cooking oil or cooking activity
  • Broken cabinets/drawer guides
  • Broken or damaged appliances
  • Missing/broken refrigerator shelf/door/handle/drawer/appliance parts
  • Excessive dirt/dust in the refrigerator vents, usually caused by not changing HVAC filters
  • Clogged/non-working garbage disposal due to improper use of the disposal

BATHROOM:

  • Scratches or knife cuts in countertop
  • Broken toilet seat or damaged toilet
  • Bent/damaged/de-installed towel rods and toilet paper holders
  • Missing faucet handles
  • Mold or mildew on walls/ceilings

YARD:

  • Excessive vegetation/weeds
  • Dead areas
  • Yard not mowed (if resident responsibility)
  • Pet/Animal waste in yard (regardless of animal owner)
  • Fence damage from misuse
  • Parking on the lawn or landscaping of rental
  • Dead leaf/foliage accumulation
  • Removal of raised beds, gardens, or changes to landscaping