Security Deposit Deductions for Blinds & Window Coverings
Blinds, shades, and screens wear out quickly and sun-damage on their own, so their chargeable value drops fast.
Normal wear — not chargeable
Sun fading, brittleness, and the gradual failure of the lift mechanism are normal wear.
Damage — chargeable
Bent slats, snapped cords from misuse, pet chewing, and missing blinds are chargeable, prorated by a 3–5 year life.
Worked example
Cost to fix: $200 · Useful life: 3 years · Age at move-out: 2 years · Life remaining: 33%. Typically chargeable: $67 — not the full $200.
Because the life is short, blinds more than a few years old often prorate down to very little.
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What counts as normal wear here?
Sun fading, brittleness, and the gradual failure of the lift mechanism are normal wear.
What is chargeable as damage?
Bent slats, snapped cords from misuse, pet chewing, and missing blinds are chargeable, prorated by a 3–5 year life.
How is the amount prorated?
Multiply the cost by the share of useful life remaining. In the example above, 33% remained, so about $67 is chargeable.
More items: carpet · paint · appliances · pet damage
Then: Condition Report · Unit Turn Calculator · Deposit Return Letter
Useful-life figures reference the HUD life-expectancy chart, an industry standard rather than statute. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your state's rules before sending a deduction statement.