What counts as fair wear and tear on a rented home?Beta*

Fair wear and tear is the normal decline that comes from living somewhere for a while, and a landlord can't charge your deposit for it. It includes carpets wearing thin in walkways, minor scuffs, faded paint and curtains, small marks around light switches, and loose fittings from normal use. The longer you lived there, the more wear is expected. Damage is different: burns, stains, holes in walls, broken items or pet damage. Even then, the landlord can only charge a fair share of the cost, allowing for the item's age. They can't charge you a new-for-old price, or charge you to have the place professionally cleaned to a higher standard than it was when you moved in.

On this site: Moving in audit

Sources: Shelter: dispute unfair deductions