Wear and Tear or Tenant Damage? Understanding Who Pays for What
Normal wear and tear is the predictable deterioration that occurs when a tenant uses a home appropriately. Damage results from an avoidable act, accident, omission, misuse or neglect. Distinguishing between them requires more than observing that something needs repair. Owners should consider the cause, severity, age, length of occupancy, lease obligations and documented move-in condition before assigning responsibility.









