partial damages - Landlord Forum thread 344478

partial damages by Karen on April 18, 2016 @21:38

I've run into this a few times and would like to know the proper way to handle it from here forward:

How do I bill for damages when the tenant has cause "partial" damage to something? For example, a recent tenant gouged a kitchen cabinet and put a small gouge in 2 interior doors. These items could be somewhat patched, but it will never be or look new like it was when the tenant moved in.

What is proper to deduct from the security deposit? Cost of replacement? Cost of the patch even though the items are permanently altered?

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Re: partial damages by Anonymous on April 18, 2016 @22:12	[ Reply ]

You charge for the cost of a repair. A kitchen cabinet and a door can be easily and inexpensively repaired and the damage will be invisible. In your own home, if you were moving a chair and dinged a kitchen cabinet, would you flip out and replace it? No, you'd get some wood putty, fill it, sand it, and make it look good. Also keep in mind that you should not be charging for normal wear and tear. If the only damage left is a 'small gouge' in a door, be glad you had a good tenant, and let it go.

Re: partial damages

Re: partial damages by Anonymous on April 19, 2016 @16:53	[ Reply ]

Yes, deduct replacement cost from security deposit. I would not patch. The patch will inevitably fail on the next tenant and you'll have to replace it at that time anyway.