WHAT EXACTLY IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR"?

Question

• To help out Tampa landlords and tenants, here are some examples of normal wear and tear:
• 
• 1. Scuffed marks on the wood flooring from continued use
• 2. Faded carpet
• 3. Chips, dents, scrapes, and small nail holes in the walls
• 4. Scratched or worn-out enamel in the toilets, sinks, or bathtubs
• 5. Squeaky or noisy door and cabinet hinges
• 6. Appliances no longer in a new condition. All appliances have a shelf life.

PROPERTY DAMAGE:

• 1. Cracked or completely broken windows.
• 2. Damaged appliances as a result of neglect or obvious abuse
• 3. Cracked tiles in the bathroom or kitchen
• 4. Burns and stains on the carpet.
• 5. Large holes in the walls

As you can see from the examples provided, there is quite some difference between normal wear and tear and property damage.

Michael Haynes · Answer

Nick Nesheiwat from Tampa. The "Normal wear and tear," argument has two sides to it. The one is from the Landlord wanting to collect Damages in Small Claims Court from people who quit their JOB's as soon as the Judge awards you Damages, like on Judge Judy...try to get Blood from a Stone. Or the Tenant files against you to get back their Deposit...your the Owner of Real Property that isn't going anywhere and they consider you, "Deep Pockets." I always said that the only Solution to solving the Tenant problem is to collect a First, Last and Security Deposit up front. Then, the first day the Tenant is Late and gives you an Excuse, you run over to put up the Three Day Notice on their Door or if possible give them Personal Service. If they do not pay with Late Fee after that, you know you lost one months Rent. Then, you file for Eviction and lose a second Months Rent. If and when the Judge gives you a Judgement, you lose a third months Rent by the time the Sheriff shows up to get them out, if they did not move before then. At that point do you really care about Normal Wear and Tear or are you ready to get the key back and get in there to clean it up and get it rented again?