Drywall Damage from Tenants: What’s Normal Wear and What’s Not?
If you’re a landlord, you’ve probably faced this dilemma at one point or another: a tenant moves out, and there’s damage to the drywall. Scuffs, nail holes, maybe even dents or cracks. Which of these should the tenant be held responsible for?
Understanding when the tenant should be required to cover drywall repairs is critical to ensuring long-term property value creation. Let’s dive into the different types of drywall issues that can arise.
What Counts as Normal Wear and Tear?
Arizona law recognizes that rental properties experience some smaller issues due to normal use. Here’s what typically falls under normal wear and tear:
Small nail holes from hanging pictures
Minor scuffs or smudges from furniture or daily activity
Faint discoloration from sunlight
Hairline cracks near corners or seams due to settling
These are generally expected over time, and often not chargeable against a tenant’s deposit. An exception would be if the lease specifically states that nails are not to be used for hanging pictures (and require that a product like command strips be used instead - these use a special adhesive that doesn’t penetrate the drywall).
What Qualifies as Tenant-Caused Damage?
Damage may go beyond these normal wear and tear scenarios, and often requires repair.
Some examples:
Large holes from wall anchors, TV’s or shelving
Deep gouges or dents from furniture impact or careless handling
Cracked drywall from slamming doors or rough treatment
Water damage due to overflowing sinks or misuse of shower curtains
Unauthorized repairs that leave uneven texture or mis-matched paint
These types of issues often justify deductions from security deposits - especially if they require professional repair.
Why Documentation of Tenant Damage Matters
To protect yourself and your tenants:
Conduct move-in and move-out inspections, including photos and a move in/move out checklist
Communicate in the lease what’s considered damage
Keep receipts or estimates for any repair deductions, so that you are able to justify those expenses if required in court
This helps avoid disputes and helps keep you safe.
Professional Repairs That Protect Your Property
Whether it’s patching, or repairing, professional repairs ensure:
Great looking texture and paint matching
Fast Turnaround for Tenants
Documentation for deposit records
Keep in mind - if you perform the repairs yourself, you often won’t be able to deduct expenses to cover the time you needed to spend to perform the repair.
As a repair professional serving Gilbert and Chandler Arizona, I specialize in drywall repairs that restore your property to move-in ready condition - quickly, cleanly, and professionally.
Need help getting your rental ready for the next tenant? Let’s patch it up and make it nice. Send us a message at service@epichomerepairs.com
