What Are Some Common Examples of Damage Beyond Ordinary Wear and Tear?

Audience: renters in North Carolina preparing to move out or trying to understand deposit deductions

In North Carolina, landlords can only deduct from a security deposit for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear meaning damage that goes beyond normal, everyday use of the home.

Here are common, practical examples so you can understand what typically counts.

What “damage beyond ordinary wear and tear” means 🧠

Damage beyond ordinary wear and tear usually involves:

Something broken, missing, or heavily altered
A condition caused by negligence or misuse
Damage requiring repair beyond routine turnover
Costs that wouldn’t exist if the home had simply been lived in normally

For context on what deposits can legally be used for, see:
https://movezen360.com/nc-security-deposit-permitted-uses

Common examples of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear 🛠️

These examples often lead to security deposit deductions (when documented and reasonable):

Walls, paint, and trim

Large holes in walls (TV mounts ripped out, door-knob holes, etc.)
Excessive wall damage from tape, adhesive hooks, or stickers
Unauthorized paint colors or poor-quality paint jobs
Damage from furniture scraping or impacts

Doors, windows, and hardware

Broken doors, cracked frames, damaged locks
Broken or missing window screens
Cracked glass caused by impact
Missing keys, garage remotes, or access devices (if required by the lease)

Floors and carpet

Large stains (wine, bleach, pet stains)
Burn marks from candles, irons, or cigarettes
Deep scratches or gouges beyond normal use
Water damage caused by negligence (overflowing tubs, etc.)

Kitchen and appliances

Broken appliance doors, shelves, or handles from misuse
Missing appliances or parts
Countertop burns, chips, or deep cuts
Garbage disposal damage caused by improper use

Bathrooms and plumbing

Broken tiles or fixtures caused by impact
Mold growth caused by failure to ventilate or report leaks
Clogged plumbing caused by improper items flushed or drained
Cracked sinks or tubs caused by dropping heavy objects

Pets

Chewed trim, scratched doors, torn screens
Strong urine odor requiring special treatment
Flea treatment required due to infestation
Deep scratches in floors beyond normal wear

If you’re wondering how pet fees and pet deposits fit into this, this companion article helps:
https://movezen360.com/nc-pet-fees

How this affects your security deposit 💸

Damage beyond ordinary wear and tear may be deducted from the security deposit, but deductions must still be:

Itemized
Reasonable
Tied to actual or reasonably certain costs
Completed within NC’s deposit return timeline

Tips to avoid damage-related deductions ✅

Report maintenance issues early (leaks, broken fixtures, etc.)
Avoid unauthorized alterations
Use furniture pads on floors
Patch larger holes properly if allowed
Deep clean at move-out
Take move-out photos and video

Small effort here can protect a large chunk of your deposit later.

FAQs ❓

Are nail holes from hanging pictures considered damage?
Usually, no small holes are typically ordinary wear and tear.

Is carpet replacement always considered damage?
No. Replacement is typically deductible only for damage beyond normal wear and if the carpet isn’t already at the end of its useful life.

What if something broke due to age?
That’s usually ordinary wear, not tenant-caused damage.

Can a landlord charge for upgrades if something is damaged?
They can charge reasonable repair or replacement costs, not “betterment” or upgrades beyond what existed.

Do landlords have to prove the damage?
They must provide an itemized accounting and deductions should be supported by documentation.