Wear and tear is expected in rental properties over time simply by people living there and doing everyday things. However, damage to properties can also be caused by misuse or neglect, and this is classed differently. Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, it’s important to be aware of what your rights and responsibilities are when it comes to wear and tear.
What is classed as general wear and tear in rentals?
General wear and tear when renting covers damage that happens as a result of normal use of the property. This type of damage happens gradually, so it can’t be attributed to a single incident or reckless behaviour. When general wear and tear results in repairs or replacements being needed, the landlord is responsible for covering the costs.
Fair wear and tear
Examples of general wear and tear that landlords are responsible for include:
- Faded wallpaper and curtains
- Chipped or grubby paintwork
- Scuff marks on the floor or the walls
- Worn carpets
- Loose cupboard handles and doors
Carpets are a great example of fair wear and tear, because they always wear down over time. It’s to be expected, and it happens much faster in properties that have multiple tenants, simply due to increased use.
However, deciding how damage has happened during a tenancy isn’t always clear-cut. As a tenant, it’s useful to take note of the state of the property when you move in. It’s helpful to take photos too, and share these with your landlord so you both agree about the state of the property at the start of your tenancy.
The amount of general wear and tear that happens in your property depends on several factors; these include the quality of the materials, the length of your tenancy, and the number of people living in the property.
Unfair wear and tear
Landlords will inspect your property at the end of your tenancy, and they’ll uncover any damage that can’t be attributed to everyday use.
Unfair wear and tear that landlords look out for includes:
- Broken/smashed furniture
- Badly stained carpets
- Ripped curtains
- Broken windows and locks
- Holes in the walls
As a tenant, you’re responsible for doing all you can to uphold the state of the property throughout your tenancy. If damage has happened deliberately, or through your neglect, you’re responsible for the cost of fixing it.
Negligent damages include:
- Moisture damage resulting from condensation
- Blocked filters in appliances due to lack of cleaning
- Freezer compartments damaged by ice build-up
When unfair or neglectful damage is found, your landlord will use some of your deposit to repair or replace damaged items once you’ve moved out of the property.
When can deposit deductions for damages be taken?
When the end of a tenancy has been reached, landlords expect the property to be in a similar condition to the start of the tenancy. If they discover any unreasonable damages, they have the right to take money from the tenant’s deposit to repair or replace items.
Any money taken from the tenant’s deposit has to be done fairly, and landlords should provide tenants with a list that itemises any costs they’ve deducted.
Landlords aren’t allowed to profit from the deposit deductions they make, and they can’t always charge the full cost of a replacement.
For example, if a landlord discovers a broken window in their property, they’ll have to consider the age of the window before charging their tenant. If the original window was five years old, the tenant can’t be charged the full amount of a new window, but only a fair proportion of the cost. Additionally, tenants can’t be charged for the price of a better model, but only a like-for-like replacement of the original. If the landlord wants to upgrade it, they must take on the extra cost themselves.
Advice for tenants
If you know that you’ve caused damage in your rental property, it’s best to talk to your landlord about it straight away. They’ll be more understanding if you’re up front about it, and if you work with them to repair or replace items.
However, if you feel that your landlord has taken money out of your deposit unfairly, talk to the dispute resolution team of your deposit protection scheme. They’ll work with you and the landlord to uncover the truth and come to a fair resolution.
What is the wear and tear allowance for landlords?
The wear and tear allowance used to apply to landlords who let out fully furnished properties. The allowance meant that landlords could claim wear and tear costs for all of the furnishings within their rental properties. The amount they could claim was up to 10% of their net annual rent (income minus expenses).
However, this changed in 2016. Now, landlords can claim tax relief on the cost of any domestic items that you replace in your rental properties. Be aware that this only applies to replacement items, and not to new items that you provide for tenants, or for furnishing a property for the first time.
Examples of items that may qualify include the replacement of beds, curtains, sofas, and fridges.
The amount you can claim is the cost of a like-for-like replacement. So, if the original bed costs £200 to replace with the same type/model, but you opt for a £300 replacement, you can only claim £200 relief.
Wear and tear is an ongoing cost for landlords, and one that tenants need to be mindful of. If you’re thinking about selling your buy-to-let property, or simply want to know how much it’s worth in today’s market, get your free, no-obligation property valuation requested now.
