One of the biggest misunderstandings among renters is the idea of normal wear and tear.
A faded paint colour or a carpet that has naturally worn down over several years is usually considered ordinary use. But many tenants stretch this definition much further. Deep scratches from furniture, large holes in walls, broken fixtures or stains caused by negligence often go beyond normal wear.
A sofa dragged across wooden floors can leave marks that require professional repairs. A child drawing on walls may need repainting. A pet scratching a door frame can also become a chargeable expense.
The problem is that these damages often happen gradually. People live with them for months and stop noticing them altogether.
Before moving out, it helps to look at the property with fresh eyes, almost like a stranger seeing it for the first time.
