Fair wear and tear vs damage

Typical wear and tear

• Light scuffs and fading on walls and paintwork.
• Carpet worn in walkways.
• Loose door handles and minor fittings wear.
• Fading of curtains from sunlight.

Typical damage

• Burns, large stains or tears in carpets.
• Holes in walls beyond a few picture hooks (unless permitted).
• Broken furniture or appliances through misuse.
• Pet damage where pets weren't allowed.

Betterment and apportionment

A landlord cannot get 'new for old'. Adjudicators consider the age, quality and expected lifespan of an item and award only a proportion of replacement cost. A 7-year-old carpet with a 10-year lifespan might justify only 30% of a replacement.