Surface damage — chips to worktops, bath chips, cracked tiles — is one of the most contested categories at tenancy end. Understanding what’s fair wear and tear versus what’s actually deductible, and having professional repair as a cost-effective alternative to replacement, can save landlords and agents significant time and money.
Fair Wear and Tear vs Damage: The Key Distinction
Fair wear and tear refers to deterioration that occurs through normal everyday use over time. Damage refers to harm caused by carelessness, accident or misuse. A landlord cannot deduct for fair wear and tear, but can deduct for actual damage.
Examples of Fair Wear and Tear (Not Deductible)
- Light surface dulling of worktops after several years of normal use
- Small scratches in a bath consistent with years of bathing
- Minor tile grout discolouration after long tenancy
Examples of Damage (Potentially Deductible)
- A fresh chip in a quartz or granite worktop
- A crack in an acrylic bath
- A chipped tile in a bathroom or kitchen
- Burn marks on a worktop from pans placed directly on the surface
Professional Repair Is Usually the Right Amount to Deduct
Deposit protection schemes (TDS, DPS, mydeposits) require deductions to reflect the actual cost of restoring the property — not upgrade cost. For a chipped worktop, the appropriate deduction is the cost of professional repair, not replacement. If you try to deduct replacement cost for a repairable chip, adjudicators will typically award only repair cost anyway.
Documentation for Deposit Disputes
We can provide written quotes and completed repair invoices that serve as evidence in deposit disputes or adjudication. Photos before and after repair are also provided where requested.
