Landlords · Last reviewed June 2026
What can a landlord charge a tenant for at the end of a tenancy?
Quick Answer
A landlord can deduct from the deposit for anything beyond fair wear and tear that leaves the property below the standard the tenant received it in. Legitimate charges include cleaning a dirty oven or limescale-covered shower, redecoration where walls have been drawn on or damaged, clearing rubbish left in the garden, and replacing damaged or missing items. Normal ageing — worn carpet in walkways, faded paint, small scuffs — is fair wear and tear and cannot be charged.
The standard works like a car lease: the tenant returns the property as received, with reasonable ageing expected. In our Lincoln check-out work, the two most common charges are dirty ovens and extractors, and limescale-covered showers.
Deductions must be evidenced against a check-in inventory. Landlords without a dated inventory and photos almost always lose deposit disputes — the adjudicator takes the tenant's word over an undocumented claim.
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