Fair Wear and Tear vs Damage: What Can a Landlord Charge For?

Disputes often come down to whether something is wear and tear or damage. In general, ageing from normal use is not chargeable, while damage and neglect can be. This is general information for England, not legal advice.

By the Ample Cleaners team · 5 October 2026 · 4 min read

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Usually fair wear and tear

  • Faded paint or curtains from sunlight
  • Light carpet wear in walkways
  • Small marks on walls from normal living
  • Worn handles and hinges from regular use

Usually damage or neglect

  • Burns, stains or large holes in carpets or surfaces
  • Broken items and missing fittings
  • Heavy dirt, grease, mould from neglect, or an uncleaned oven
  • Damaged walls, doors and flooring

The details matter

The age and condition of the item, how long you lived there, and the check-in inventory all count. Landlords should be able to show the evidence for any deduction and a reasonable cost, taking the item's age into account.

Common questions

Can a landlord charge full replacement cost?

Generally they should account for the age and condition of the item, rather than charging a brand-new replacement in full. Check your deposit scheme's guidance.

Would you rather we did it for you?

Ample Cleaners offers end of tenancy cleaning across Barking, Dagenham, Romford, Ilford and surrounding areas, with DBS-checked cleaners and a fixed price.

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