Surfers Paradise Blog

The concept of ‘Fair Wear and Tear’ is the normal deterioration or ageing of a property that occurs over a period of time during the tenancy because of the ordinary use by the tenant.

Determining what property damage is; compared to fair wear and tear can often be a grey area.

If damage occurred at a property that the tenant disputed; then the following would be taken into consideration by the mediation or court process:

• The original condition report of the property and compare it to the final exit report
• How long had the tenant been residing at the property?
• How many tenants lived at the property?
• The age and the depreciated value of the items (E.g., carpets, window coverings, screens, appliances, etc.)

The circumstances of the tenancy will have a direct impact on fair wear and tear.

If a tenant had lived in the property for five years with three children, the following might be considered fair wear and tear: worn and marked carpets, insects in globes, marks on walls, stained oven, etc.

However, if a couple had lived in the property for 6-months and the same wear had taken place, it may not be considered fair wear and tear.

When a tenant vacates the property, we are required to take fair wear and tear into consideration.

There may be times as an owner when you will be required to invest in a final vacate touch up clean to avoid a costly Tribunal hearing if the tenant disputes the matter.