What is considered reasonable wear and tear?

[sushi]

I am planning on moving out of my current rental in the new few months and I'm wondering what would be considered reasonable wear and tear with regard to the state I'm going to leave the property in.

I have been there for 7.5 years and have had a few kids during the tenancy.

During the 7 years there's been no cosmetic work done by the landlord. We've had the place painted, although there has been some fresh scribbles done by the kids.

I could go into detail and provide photos if necessary but would be interested to see what you have to say first!

Feel free to ask any questions, I'll do my best to answer.

Thank in advance!

[KTC]

https://www.depositprotection.com/me...mages-2017.pdf

[sushi]

https://www.depositprotection.com/me...mages-2017.pdf

That looks awesome. Thank you. I'll print and read over the weekend.

[jpkeates]

Normal wear and tear is, basically, what a reasonable landlord understood would inevitably happen with someone living in the property if the the occupants took normal care of the place.
So, writing on a wall, no, the odd scruff on a frequently used corner, yes.
A burn in a carpet, no, wearing on a frequently walked on area, yes.

The longer the lease, the more wear and tear you'd expect.
If you didn't have children when you moved in, some of the additional wear and tear that they caused could be outside the definition of "fair" because the landlord can't have known that there would be children living there.

Same for pets (no offence to your children!), unless the landlord agreed to them being there.

[nukecad]

Maybe the term should be changed and not lump two different things together?

Wear - Expected degradation over time.
Tear - Damage.

Shoes wear out, if there's a tear in them that's damage.

[MdeB]

I have always thought that "tear" meant "failure due to wear or age".
e.g. the fabric of trousers wears thin due to sitting, and eventually it is so weak that it tears.
e.g. a plastic item becomes brittle due to age and breaks in normal use.

[Section20z]

That looks awesome. Thank you. I'll print and read over the weekend.

Depends entirely on your landlord, can you not speak to him and ask him round to inspect now in case he wants anything fixed.
After 7 years I would be expecting to redecorate and recarpet throughout and certainly wouldn't be whingeing about a scribble on the wall.
Especially if you've been good tenants !!

[theartfullodger]

What a reasonable tenant would expect.

Less for one single person than a family of 5 with 3 rotties