Moving out of a rented property is stressful enough without the added worry of surface damage you’ve accidentally caused. A chip in the bath, a scratch on the kitchen worktop, a scuffed floor — these things happen in daily life, and many tenants assume they’ll automatically lose their deposit to cover them.
The good news: in most cases, these repairs are quick, affordable, and often much cheaper than the deduction your landlord might make if left unaddressed.
Fair Wear and Tear vs Damage: Know the Difference
First, it’s worth understanding what you’re actually liable for. UK tenancy law distinguishes between fair wear and tear (deterioration from normal use, which landlords cannot deduct for) and tenant damage (accidental or deliberate damage beyond normal use, which they can).
Examples of fair wear and tear (not your responsibility):
- Small scuffs on walls from normal use
- Minor carpet flattening in walkways
- Fading of curtains and blinds from sunlight
- Light surface marks on worktops from everyday cooking
Examples of tenant damage (your responsibility):
- Chips in the bath, sink, or toilet
- Deep scratches on hardwood or laminate floors
- Burns on worktops from pans or irons
- Broken or chipped tiles
- Damage to doors, frames, or uPVC windows
Why Tenants Should Repair Before Moving Out
If you leave damage unrepaired, your landlord or letting agent will arrange repairs themselves — and charge you. The issue is that landlords typically use their own contractors who may charge premium rates, and they’re not incentivised to find the cheapest option since the cost comes from your deposit.
By booking a professional repair yourself before you leave, you:
- Control the cost — professional repair is almost always cheaper than landlord-arranged replacement
- Keep your deposit intact — a repaired surface looks fine at the checkout inspection
- Avoid disputes — a good repair eliminates the argument entirely
Common End-of-Tenancy Repairs
Bath Chips
One of the most common issues. A chip in a white acrylic or enamel bath can be repaired by a specialist in around two hours, colour-matched to the surrounding surface. Left unrepaired, a landlord may quote for a full bath replacement — which is both disproportionate and something you can challenge, but it creates hassle and delays your deposit return.
Kitchen Worktop Damage
Burns, chips, and deep cuts in laminate, granite, or solid wood worktops are repairable by a professional and look significantly better than leaving them. A laminate burn repair, for example, typically takes less than two hours.
Floor Scratches
Deep scratches in hardwood, engineered wood, or laminate flooring from furniture are repairable with colour-matched fillers and finishes. This is far cheaper than the cost of re-sanding a floor, which landlords might otherwise charge for.
Tile Chips and Cracks
A cracked or chipped ceramic or porcelain tile can be filled, colour-matched, and made to look significantly better. A full tile replacement involves removing grout, chiselling out the tile without cracking adjacent tiles, and finding a matching replacement — which is both expensive and often impossible if the tiles are discontinued.
Door and Frame Damage
Chips and scratches on internal doors, uPVC frames, and composite doors are repairable on-site. This is especially relevant for front and back doors where damage is more visible.
How to Book Repairs Before Your Move-Out Date
Book as early as possible — ideally two to three weeks before your checkout inspection. This gives time to:
- Send photos to a repair specialist for a quote
- Confirm the booking
- Have the repair done with a few days to spare before checkout
Shazam Repairs is used by tenants across the UK before end-of-tenancy inspections. We provide fast quotes from photos, clear fixed pricing, and professional results that pass checkout inspections.
