Renting & managementAll terms starting with 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.
- Move-out inspectionA documented walkthrough at the end of a tenancy, compared against move-in condition to determine deductions.
- TurnoverThe work and vacancy between one tenancy and the next: cleaning, repairs, marketing, and re-leasing.
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