Do nail holes count as wear and tear?
Asked by: Berenice Goyette | Last update: February 8, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (57 votes)
Yes, small nail holes from hanging pictures are generally considered normal wear and tear, but large holes, excessive amounts (like dozens), or damage from big anchors/screws often cross the line into tenant-caused damage, potentially affecting your security deposit. Landlords should expect small holes as part of regular living, but extensive wall damage goes beyond ordinary use and becomes the tenant's responsibility to repair.
Are small nail holes considered normal wear and tear?
Note: According to HUD, nail holes in the walls are considered normal wear and tear. However, it's reasonable to classify large screw holes or multiple nail holes that cause damage to the paint or drywall as property damage.
Do apartments charge you for nail holes?
The landlord can only charge you for any damages that you were responsible for during your tenancy. So even if they gave permission, to make the holes, you are still responsible for the cost of repairing them when your tenancy is over.
Do apartments care about nail holes?
Remember, normal wear and tear shouldn't cost tenants. But if there's significant damage beyond a few small nail holes, it's fair to charge for repairs.
Are nail holes normal wear and tear reddit?
Nail/picture hanger holes are normal wear and tear.
Wear and Tear in Rental Property: Do YOU know the difference?
How much should I tip for $70 nails?
For a $70 nail service, a standard tip is $10.50 to $14 (15-20%), but for exceptional service, nail art, or a long appointment, tipping $17.50 or more (25%+) is a great way to show appreciation, with many clients preferring to tip cash. Calculate 20% ($14) as a solid baseline and adjust up for more complex designs, longer sessions, or if you're thrilled with the results.
What is reasonable wear and tear?
Essentially, any damage that occurs as a result of ordinary use and can't be attributed to a specific incident or misuse by the tenant can be considered fair wear and tear.
Do I need to repair nail holes when moving?
Short answer: no. Nails and anchors in the wall are considered attached items, which means they stay with the home. The picture itself is personal property, so that comes with you. This surprises a lot of sellers and it is one of those small real estate details that causes unnecessary stress during move-out.
What are red flags in an apartment lease?
Red flags in an apartment lease include unclear terms, hidden fees, unresponsive landlords, refusal to allow in-person viewing, excessive or vague penalties, one-sided clauses (like unlimited entry or high termination fees), missing details (rent, address), and pressure to sign quickly. Also watch for poor property condition, suspicious payment requests, and >>unprofessional landlord behavior.
Who pays for damage caused by tenants?
Tenants generally pay for damage they or their guests cause beyond normal wear and tear, using their security deposit or direct payment, while landlords cover standard maintenance and pre-existing issues, with landlord insurance potentially covering accidental tenant damage but not intentional acts, and state laws/lease agreements define specific responsibilities.
How to cover nail holes in a rental?
Fortunately, there is a tried-and-true method for fixing them.
- Get the Supplies. Fixing small holes doesn't require many supplies, but the correct ones are necessary. ...
- Apply the Spackling Paste. Using the corner of the putty knife, insert a small amount of spackle into the nail hole. ...
- Sand the Spackled Zone. ...
- Apply the Paint.
What is the most an apartment can charge for damages?
Most states don't have a specific limit for how much landlords can charge for damages; only the amount must be reasonable and itemized in a receipt.
Are drywall anchors normal wear and tear?
Small nail or pin holes are considered normal. Large holes, wall anchors, or torn drywall are damage.
What are reasonable deductions for wear and tear?
Reasonable wear and tear is natural deterioration that occurs over time, even with reasonable care and maintenance. It's caused simply by the people using the property. Things that fall into this category include carpets wearing down, or scuffs and patches on the hardwood from being walked on.
Do landlords usually repaint between tenants?
Most landlords repaint between tenants, particularly if the previous tenant stayed for multiple years. Damage caused by tenants may justify deductions from the security deposit, but normal wear is the landlord's responsibility.
What is the law of wear and tear?
Reasonable wear and tear is the damage to property resulting from ordinary use and exposure over time. Also referred to as ordinary wear and tear or natural wear and tear. The term is commonly used in landlord-tenant law to limit the tenant's liability for damage to the property.
What is the 90% rule in leasing?
The 90% rule in leasing, primarily under U.S. GAAP, is an accounting guideline to classify a lease as a finance lease (like a purchase) versus an operating lease, stating that if the Net Present Value (NPV) of lease payments is 90% or more of the asset's Fair Market Value, it's treated as a finance lease, reflecting that the lessee essentially buys the asset over the lease term. It's one of several criteria, but it remains a commonly used benchmark for "substantially all" of the asset's value, even with newer standards.
What would make you fail an apartment inspection?
You can fail an apartment inspection due to unsanitary conditions, damage to property (walls, floors, appliances), safety hazards (faulty electrical, missing detectors, pests, water leaks), or lease violations like unauthorized pets, smoking, or excessive clutter, all showing a lack of maintenance or adherence to rules, which landlords check for habitability and potential damage.
What is the 1% rule when leasing?
The 1% lease rule is a quick guideline for evaluating car lease deals, suggesting a good lease has a monthly payment (excluding tax) around 1% or less of the car's MSRP (e.g., $400/month for a $40k car), while deals over 1.25% to 1.5% are often average to poor, requiring negotiation; it's a useful initial filter but doesn't capture all costs like fees, mileage, or incentives.
Do landlords care about nail holes?
Many property owners believe any hole in the wall, even a tiny nail hole, is property damage. However, under California law, small nail holes from hanging pictures, clocks, or lightweight decor are considered normal wear and tear.
What devalues a house the most?
The biggest factors that devalue a house are deferred major maintenance (roof, foundation, systems), poor curb appeal, outdated kitchens/baths, and major personalization or bad renovations (like removing a bedroom or adding a pool in the wrong climate), alongside location issues and legal/zoning problems, all creating high perceived costs and effort for buyers.
Do you leave nails in the wall when you sell a house?
Leave the nails in the wall! When something is attached/fastened to the house (screwed, nailed, bolted into walls/ceilings/floors), it's a fixture and stays—unless excluded in the contract. Pulling hardware can rip paint or drywall, and you could be responsible for patch + paint to restore it.
How to prove normal wear and tear?
Normal Wear & Tear Examples
Ripped or faded wallpaper. Peeling, faded, or cracked paint, including ceiling paint. Holes in the wall, including nail holes and pins. Cracks in the walls.
How to argue fair wear and tear?
So when you assess fair wear and tear at the end of the tenancy you must make allowances for the:
- Age, quality and condition of any item at the start of the tenancy.
- Average useful lifespan of the item.
- Reasonable expected usage of such an item.
- Number and type of occupants in the property.
- Length of tenancy.
Who is responsible for wear and tear, landlord or tenant?
Normal wear and tear is normal and expected in the aging process of the property. Repairs in this category are generally the landlord's responsibility. In contrast, if damage results from a tenant's negligence, misuse, or accidents, then the tenant is responsible.