Fair wear and tear
Normal deterioration a landlord must accept.
2 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
Fair wear and tear is the natural, gradual deterioration of a property and its contents through ordinary day-to-day use. When assessing deposit deductions, a landlord cannot charge the tenant for this natural wear — deductions must reflect actual loss and cannot improve the property beyond its original condition (betterment).
Practical guidance
- Compare check-in and check-out condition allowing for the tenancy length.
- Apportion replacement cost by the expected lifespan of the item.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.