Reviewed by Main AI · Updated July 2026
Normal wear is the expected aging from ordinary use — faded paint, minor scuffs, worn carpet paths. Most states don’t let landlords charge you for it — check your state’s deposit statute. Actual damage (holes, stains, breaks) is different.
The line between "normal wear and tear" and "damage" decides what a landlord can deduct from your deposit. Normal wear is the gradual, expected deterioration from living there normally: faded paint, small nail holes, lightly worn carpet, minor scuffs on floors. In most states landlords are expected to absorb that as a cost of doing business. Damage is beyond ordinary use — large holes, pet stains, broken fixtures, burns. Knowing which is which lets you challenge improper deposit deductions with confidence.
Small nail holes from hanging pictures are often considered normal wear, though large holes or many of them may be chargeable. It varies by state and lease.
Usually not for normal fading over time — that’s wear and tear. Repainting to cover actual damage or unapproved colors can sometimes be charged.
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