As a rental owner, you’re going to have to face the fact that your property will be damaged. Mistakes happen, especially in the case of rentals. People are often uncaring of things that don’t belong to them. However, it can be hard to tell whether or not what you’re seeing is normal wear and tear or vandalism by clients. So, in order to help you prepare for when that time comes, here’s an article reviewing what normal wear and tear on a rental property is.
Symptoms of Normal Wear
Normal wear refers to the expected deterioration of a space caused by everyday interaction and use. As such, you can expect signs of normal wear will center around the things that get used the most. Here’s a list of some of the more common examples of normal wear in a unit.
- Worn and faded carpet
- Scuff marks on the flooring
- Scratched and scuffed baseboards
- Faded curtains or blinds
- Dirty grout
- Hinge problems on shelving
- Problematic drawer rollers
- Loose doorknobs
Examples of Property Damage
Property damage is a bit different; it’s caused by abuse and neglect on the renter’s part. In order to be called property damage, it must not be able to occur by way of any normal, day-to-day activity. Unfortunately, most property damage happens after a tenant has been given an eviction notice and before they leave in the middle of the rental contract. Some of the more common examples of property damage include the following:
- Burns and stains on the carpet
- Holes in doors and walls
- Broken countertops
- Broken porcelain in sinks, toilets, or bathtubs
What You Can Do
Prevent property damage from happening on your rental by being prepared. Ensure you have a way to secure payment for damages and that the tenant knows the rules and the consequences for breaking them. Consider employing a full-service property management company; they will take care of many troublesome situations for you.
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell where to draw the line between property damage and normal wear and tear damage with rental properties. We hope this article helped with any questions regarding what normal wear and tear is. If you’re looking for a property management company for Longwood Florida, contact Russell Properties for more information and details on the services we provide.
