---
title: "Normal wear and tear — What It Means | Ondo RE"
canonical: https://www.ondorealestate.com/glossary/normal-wear-and-tear/
---

- [Home](/)
- /
- [Glossary](/glossary/)
- /
- Normal wear and tear
Renting & management[All terms starting with N](/glossary/#letter-N)

# Normal wear and tear

The gradual deterioration expected from ordinary use, which cannot be charged against a security deposit.

Carpet worn along a traffic path, minor scuffs, and faded paint are ordinary use. A burn, a pet stain through to the pad, or a hole in a wall is damage.

The distinction is where most deposit disputes live, and it is settled by evidence: dated condition reports and photographs at move-in and move-out.

## Related terms

- [Security depositFunds held during a tenancy to cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear, returned under statutory rules.](/glossary/security-deposit/)
- [Move-out inspectionA documented walkthrough at the end of a tenancy, compared against move-in condition to determine deductions.](/glossary/move-out-inspection/)
- [TurnoverThe work and vacancy between one tenancy and the next: cleaning, repairs, marketing, and re-leasing.](/glossary/turnover/)

## More in Renting & management

- [Eviction](/glossary/eviction/)
- [Fair housing](/glossary/fair-housing/)
- [HOA (Homeowners Association)](/glossary/hoa/)
- [Lease agreement](/glossary/lease-agreement/)
- [Maintenance reserve](/glossary/maintenance-reserve/)
- [Move-out inspection](/glossary/move-out-inspection/)

## Have a question about your own situation?

Ondo handles brokerage, lending, property management and notary under one roof, so the answer does not change depending on who you ask.

[Talk to Ondo](/contact/)[Browse all terms](/glossary/)