What can fairly come out of a deposit

After two or three years of someone living in a home, the walls, the floors and the fittings will look like someone has lived there. That's fair wear and tear, and your landlord can't charge you for it.

Examples that are usually fair wear and tear

• Scuff marks on a wall from a chair after two years.
• Slightly faded curtains after a full year in the sun.
• A worn patch on the carpet in a hallway.
• Small marks where pictures hung.

Examples that are usually damage

• A broken door panel from a kick.
• A burn mark on the kitchen counter.
• A cracked sink that wasn't there at move-in.
• Stains that won't come out with normal cleaning.

The honest test: would normal, careful living cause this in this much time? If yes, it's wear and tear. If no, it's probably damage.

What about cleaning

Your landlord can ask the place to be returned in the same standard you took it in. If you got the keys with a freshly cleaned flat, they can expect one back. Move-in photos settle this fast.