Oil Stains in Driveway - normal wear and tear or deposit?

[Amanda C.]

We had tenants renting for 4yrs, when we got to the property after they moved out we noticed a large oil-stain in the driveway as well as various other smaller oil stains in the driveway. This photo is before pressure washing, we are trying solvents to remove the stains. Would you charge damages from the security deposit? I understand a small drip or two would be normal wear and tear, but a stain this large seems excessive?

[Chris Seveney]

@Amanda C.

That to me is not normal wear and tear. Cars shouldn’t be leaking oil.

[Theresa Harris]

Not normal wear and tear.  One small oil spill-yes if they didn't notice it was leaking and then got it fixed; but multiple spills means they didn't fix the car.

Options to try are baking soda and vinegar or dish soap like dawn that breaks down the oil.  Then blot it, don't rub it to pick up the oil.  Try these options before busting out the heavy duty chemicals.

[Diego Curbelo]

Agreeing with Chris here, assuming the language is clearly stated in your lease agreement, this certainly would not be considered normal wear and tear.

[Greg M.]

Do you deduct for this? When was the last time you sealed the pavers? There could be negligence on your part for failing to maintain them. Properly sealed pavers would not have soaked up the oil.

Regardless, it seems like it is fairly easy to remove oil from pavers. A degreasing agent needs to be applied, a little scrubbing, and you're done. I wouldn't charge for that minor work, especially if they were good tenants overall.  

[Amanda C.]

We have not done the deductions yet. They were there for 4yrs and maintained it fairly well but there were definitely some things that were not taken care of when they left. 

I wasn’t sure how much we would deduct for it. There are oil stains all over the entire driveway. We already pressure washed and it did not come out. We purchased solvents to try to remove it. The pavers were originally sealed when they were installed, and the driveway is about 5yrs old.

[Zachary Jensen]

Quote from @Amanda C.:

We had tenants renting for 4yrs, when we got to the property after they moved out we noticed a large oil-stain in the driveway as well as various other smaller oil stains in the driveway. This photo is before pressure washing, we are trying solvents to remove the stains. Would you charge damages from the security deposit? I understand a small drip or two would be normal wear and tear, but a stain this large seems excessive?

 Hey Amanda, 

In this case, you can likely deduct the cost of cleaning the oil stains from the security deposit. While minor drips or small stains may be considered normal wear and tear, a large and excessive oil stain that requires significant cleaning effort or solvent treatment goes beyond that. Normal wear and tear refers to deterioration over time from ordinary use, but damage like a large oil stain in the driveway from a vehicle is preventable and would fall under tenant responsibility. To deduct expenses, you should document the damage with photos (before and after cleaning) and keep receipts for any cleaning services or products you purchase. As long as you can prove the costs are directly related to restoring the driveway to its original condition, it's reasonable to charge the tenant for these damages using their security deposit.

[Scott Mac]

Maybe take the bricks out and flip them over???

Maybe take the bricks out and soak them in buckets of some kind of degreaser???

Maybe take the bricks out and space them throughout the driveway replacing the removed bricks with the ones you took out to place the old bricks???

Just my 2 cents.