
Fair Wear and Tear vs Damage in a Rental Property
If youโve come across this blog, chances are youโre dealing with damage or deterioration at a rental property, and you’re looking for a clear definition of fair wear and tear vs damage.
Whether youโre the landlord or the tenant, you may be unsure who should pay for this. Or maybe youโre quite certain that itโs not you, but don’t know how to make your case?
Deciding โwho pays?โ hinges on whether damage/deterioration is โfair wear and tearโ โ a landlord responsibility โ or caused by tenants, who must then pay.
To help you judge this, and avoid stressful disputes, weโve asked the experts!

What is Fair Wear and Tear to a Rental Property?
While fair wear and tear isnโt defined in WA law, industry practice and past court decisions provide a working definition.
It is commonly held that fair wear and tear includes deterioration due to:
- normal, reasonable use that falls within the lease terms
- ageing
- natural forces like sun and rain.
Tenants arenโt responsible for deterioration they didnโt contribute to โ for example, caused by substandard building work, weather, or burglary.
There are some grey areas โ for example:
- if tenants report a leak, it isnโt repaired, then carpets rot, they aren’t responsible but
- if a tenant doesnโt report a leak, they become responsible for consequential damage.
What is Damage (accidental or otherwise)?ย
Damage is loss, breakage, or deterioration, caused by the accidental or deliberate actions of:
- tenants/their children
- pets
- invited guests.
Unauthorized alterations are also classed as damage.
Tenants have an obligation to make good on damage they cause.
Examples of Fair Wear and Tear vs Damage
Similar things can be fair wear and tear, or damage, depending on how they happened.
Fair Wear and Tear | Damage |
---|---|
Mould caused by leaky pipes | Mould caused by not using exhaust fans |
Plaster walls crack as ground โsettlesโ | Walls have holes where picture hooks were removed |
Window glass breaks during a hailstorm | Kids break glass playing cricket |
Curtains fade due to sunlight | Curtains are torn |
Walls have a few grubby marks | Walls are covered in crayon drawings |
Bench tops are worn | Benchtops have burn marks |
Carpets are worn | Carpets are stained / smell of pet urine |
Timber floors are scuffed | Timber floors have deep scratches / dents |
Lawn dies due to armyworm infestation | Lawn dies after tenants turn off reticulation |
When Is Fair Wear and Tear an Issue?
Conflicts about fair wear and tear versus damage usually arise at the end of a tenancy, because the landlord claims the bond.
They can also happen when:
- a routine property inspection identifies damage, but tenants dispute responsibilityย
- tenants arrange repairs then seek reimbursement because the landlord didnโt arrange work promptly
- a landlordsโ insurance claim is denied because a problem is classed โfair wear and tearโ, not damage.
What Happens When Landlords and Tenants Canโt Agree?
When thereโs disagreement about who should rectify damage or deterioration at a rental property, Consumer Protection can often help with negotiations.
Either party can also apply to the Magistrates Court for a ruling.ย
The Court will consider matters such as the age and condition of the property, and the depreciated value of the item damaged, as well as who did the damage.
For example, they wonโt normally make tenants replace damaged 10-year-old carpet, as 10 years is the depreciable life of carpet.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority resolves insurance disputes.
These formal processes are all lengthy!
Your property manager can usually negotiate a mutually agreed outcome more quickly.
Understanding your rights and responsibilities (and being willing to compromise) helps them with this.
How Can I Get the Best Result?
If you have a tricky scenario, why not talk to the helpful, experienced team at We Love Rentals for advice?
Weโve helped many landlords and tenants to better understand fair wear and tear and avoided stressful disputes for them.
Email us, check out our past blog post on fair wear and tear, or call (08) 6254 6300 for friendly, professional advice.