Keeping your rental property in excellent shape is important not just for tenant satisfaction but to protect your investment. However, when you consistently have renters in your property, it’s normal for the home to experience wear and tear over time.

Normal wear and tear are different from damage, and the two should be treated differently when it comes to repairs and security deposit deductions. Here, we help DC landlords understand the differences between rental property wear and tear and damage.

Expected Wear to a Rental Property

Some wear is to be expected at your rental property, especially if your tenants have been there for some time. Normal wear landlords should expect include:

• Faded or scuffed interior and exterior paint
• Loose door handles or window locks
• Small holes in the walls from picture frames
• Stained or loose grout in the tile
• Worn or faded carpet or floors

Tenants are not expected to repair or pay for the repair of these things, as they are within the normal range of expected wear to a rental property.

Unusual Damage That May Require Security Deposit Deductions

While tenants should report damage as soon as they notice it, landlords may not know about more severe damage to the property until an inspection. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear typically requires security deposit deductions to fix.

Such damage may include:

• Broken appliances, doors, or windows
• Burns on the floor or walls
• Damaged light fixtures
• Heavily stained or ripped carpeting
• Pet damage, such as scratched floors, chewed walls or furniture, or a heavy pet smell
• Severely scratched flooring
• Water damage

Any unauthorized alterations to the property can also be treated as damage and justify keeping part or all of the security deposit, depending on the repairs required. 

When You Notice Damage: Next Steps

Whether your tenants are moving out or you identified unusual damage during a routine inspection, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. 

1. Before your tenants move in, it’s imperative to do a walk-through of the property to document its condition. It’s helpful to have photos and even videos of certain components for comparison when tenants move out or damage the property before their lease ends.
2. Document the current damage with photos, videos, and detailed written descriptions to compare to the property’s original state. 
3. Contact the tenants to discuss your findings and their responsibility, which, depending on the severity of the damage, may include using their security deposit to cover the repair costs.
4. Get estimates for repairs from contractors and keep an itemized list of costs related to the damage, including a detailed bill from the contractor, so your renters know exactly what was kept from their security deposit and why.

Document all your interactions with tenants during this time, even if it’s just a phone call. Keeping close records of your communications will serve as supporting documentation if there is a dispute or legal action regarding the damage.

Preventing Future Damage

To prevent damage in your DC rental property, it’s crucial to be clear with tenants about what constitutes unusual damage that may require security deposit deductions. It’s always a good idea to detail this information in the lease so tenants can refer to it later.

You can also send reminders to your renters regarding property maintenance, including items they are responsible for maintaining, such as keeping the space clean, using kitchen and bathroom vents to prevent mildew, and properly using appliances.

Protect Your Rental Property With FAS Management

The property managers at FAS Management help protect your investment with regular inspections, detailed documentation, and timely repairs. Contact us today at (202) 337-5080 to explore your options for affordable property management services in Washington, DC!