Introduction
The key to understanding the difference between wear-and-tear and damage is to have a clear grasp on the landlord-tenant laws in your state. Here in South Carolina you can find that here.
This distinction matters because it determines whether repair costs can be deducted from a tenant’s security deposit. At Beach Rental Group, we deal with this issue a lot on behalf of our homeowners, and we know it can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences, provide real-world examples, and explain how we help protect your investment.
What Is Normal Wear and Tear?
Normal wear and tear is the natural deterioration of a property that happens over time, even when tenants are careful and responsible. It’s the kind of change you would reasonably expect from any lived-in home. Here are some of the most common examples of wear and tear we see:
Carpet wearing thin
Faded paint or minor scuff marks on walls
Slightly loose door handles or cabinet hinges
Sun-faded window treatments
Small nail holes from picture hanging
We find that about 5% - 10% of turnover repair costs are to fix wear and tear. These are not the tenant’s responsibility, and homeowners cannot deduct these from a security deposit.
What Counts as Tenant Damage?
Tenant damage occurs when a renter neglects the property or causes damage beyond normal use. Unlike wear and tear, this is avoidable and typically requires a repair to return the property back to its prior condition. Some of the most common examples we’ve seen include:
Large holes in walls or broken doors
Burns or stains on carpets
Broken windows or damaged blinds
Damaged appliances
We have all properties professionally cleaned prior to move-in and ask that tenants return the property in the condition it is given to them. So one of the most common issues at move-out for our properties is cleaning. These are legitimate reasons to deduct from a tenant’s security deposit.
A Legal Disclaimer
It’s important to note that landlord-tenant laws vary by state. What is considered “normal” in one jurisdiction may differ in another, and some states require specific documentation when deducting from a security deposit. For this reason, Beach Rental Group always advises homeowners to rely on professional property management to stay compliant.
How Beach Rental Group Handles This for You
It’s important to have a structured process in place to ensure you can identify the difference between the two at move-out. Here are some of the things we do to protect the properties we manage from tenant damage:
Thorough Move-In Inspections
We document the property’s condition in detail with anywhere from 400 - 600 photos. That is not an exaggeration and we have the tenant complete a move-in inspection as well.Regular Inspections
During a lease, quarterly inspections are conducted to identify whether the property is being maintained well. We also share this report with our homeowner clients.Move-Out Walkthroughs
At the end of a lease, we compare the property’s condition to the move-in documentation. This allows us to clearly separate normal wear and tear from tenant damage.Compliance and Fairness
We ensure that any deductions from security deposits are well-documented, fair, and legally compliant — minimizing disputes and protecting your investment.
Conclusion
Have you had issues with reimbursing damages through the Security Deposit? Our Property Management team is ready to take on new properties and we have the processes in place to protect your investment. We’ve seen it all and would love to talk with you more about how the move-in process with tenants works. Contact us today to learn about the full-scope of our services.
