Can a landlord charge for Holes in Walls?

Fist-sized holes, doorknob punctures, and large anchor damage are chargeable drywall repair. Holes in Walls is commonly assigned a 15–25-year useful life, so the charge is prorated by how much life remained.

How is the chargeable amount calculated?

Multiply the cost by the share of useful life remaining. Example: $300 at 5 years old on a 20-year life leaves 75%, so about $225 is typically chargeable.

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Security Deposit Deductions for Holes in Walls

Drywall repair for real holes is chargeable, but the wall assembly has a very long life, so proration matters less than getting the repair cost right.

Normal wear — not chargeable

Small nail and pin holes and anchor marks from hanging pictures are normal wear.

Damage — chargeable

Fist-sized holes, doorknob punctures, and large anchor damage are chargeable drywall repair.

Worked example

Cost to fix: $300 · Useful life: 20 years · Age at move-out: 5 years · Life remaining: 75%. Typically chargeable: $225 — not the full $300.

Charge the actual patch-and-paint cost. Because drywall's useful life is long (15–25 years), the prorated charge stays close to the repair cost.

Run the numbers

Setup

I'm the

Build an itemized statement that prorates each deduction by the item's remaining useful life.

StateMove-out date

Adds the return deadline and citation to your statement.

Deposit held

Items

Add the first item the tenant damaged. Each one is prorated by how much useful life it had left.

Not prorated (billed in full)

CleaningDescription (optional)

Unpaid rent

Other lease chargesDescription (optional)

Cleaning is conventionally charged in full, not prorated. Normal wear is never chargeable.

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Refund to tenant

Deposit held$0

Refund to tenant$0

Pick a state for the return deadline.

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Questions

What counts as normal wear here?

Small nail and pin holes and anchor marks from hanging pictures are normal wear.

What is chargeable as damage?

Fist-sized holes, doorknob punctures, and large anchor damage are chargeable drywall repair.

How is the amount prorated?

Multiply the cost by the share of useful life remaining. In the example above, 75% remained, so about $225 is chargeable.

More items: carpet · paint · blinds · appliances

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.