Guide · updated November 2026
Fair wear and tear vs damage: real examples
"Fair wear and tear" is the normal decline of a property from everyday living. It can't be taken out of your bond. Damage — caused by negligence, misuse or accidents — can. These examples come from NSW Fair Trading and Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria.
| Area | Usually fair wear and tear | Usually damage |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | Furniture indentations Traffic / worn paths General wear from daily use | Stains Burn marks |
| Walls & paint | Faded, chipped or cracked paint Paint worn near light switches Minor scuffs from daily use | Holes in walls Paint pulled off by blu-tack / tape posters Unapproved or poor-quality paint job |
| Wooden / hard floors | Scuffing from normal use | Bad scratches or gouges |
| Curtains & blinds | Faded curtains Frayed cords | Missing curtains Torn curtains |
| Kitchen benchtop | Worn benchtop surface | Burns Cuts |
| Doors & windows | Loose hinges or handles Worn sliding tracks | Broken glass Broken fixtures |
| Water stains | From a leaking roof or bad plumbing | From an overflowing bath From indoor pot plants Stains from spills |
Three questions that decide most disputes
- Was it already there? Check your entry condition report and move-in photos. You can't be charged for something that existed before you moved in.
- Is it wear or damage? Compare against the examples above.
- Is the amount justified? They need quotes, invoices or receipts — and an old item's value is not the price of a brand-new one.
Cleaning is different
A landlord can claim cleaning — but only to bring the property back to the standard it was in at the start. If it wasn't spotless when you moved in, it doesn't need to be spotless now.
Sources: NSW Fair Trading — fair wear and tear vs damage · RDRV — bond disputes
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Is worn carpet fair wear and tear?
Generally yes — furniture indentations and traffic marks are given as fair wear and tear. Stains and burn marks are treated as damage.
Are blu-tack marks fair wear and tear?
NSW Fair Trading lists paint damage from removing blu-tack or sticky-tape posters as damage, while paint worn near a light switch is fair wear and tear.
Who pays for water stains?
It depends on the cause. Stains from a leaking roof or bad plumbing are fair wear and tear; stains from an overflowing bath or indoor pot plants are damage.