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What Is the Life Expectancy That MoveZen Property Management Applies to Various Types of Appliances, Flooring, and Paint?

MoveZen follows industry-standard life expectancy guidelines based on common NC property types.

Audience: rental property owners who want clarity on how long major items in a rental home typically last, how MoveZen applies depreciation, and how these factors impact security deposit decisions, turnover planning, and budgeting.

Every material in a rental home, from carpet to refrigerators to paint, has a predictable lifespan. Understanding these life expectancies is essential for security deposit deductions, turnover cost forecasting, owner budgeting, long-term capital planning, and fair and legal damage assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does life expectancy matter for security deposits?
Because established case precedent supports applying depreciation when assessing tenant damages. Full replacement cost is typically not recoverable for items that were near the end of their useful life.

Do older items usually have $0 chargeable value?
Yes. Once fully depreciated, no portion can be charged to the tenant.

Does higher-quality material last longer?
Often, yes, but rental-grade life expectancy assumes typical tenant usage.

Can owners choose premium materials to reduce long-term costs?
Absolutely. LVP, durable paint, and mid-grade appliances typically provide the best ROI.

Standard Life Expectancy Guide

Below are the life expectancy ranges MoveZen uses for deposit accounting and turnover planning.

1. Flooring Life Expectancy

Carpet

Standard life expectancy: 5 years
After 5 years, carpet is considered fully depreciated.
Meaning: $0 chargeable, even if damaged.

Linoleum

Standard life expectancy: 5 years
After 5 years, linoleum is considered fully depreciated.

2. Paint Life Expectancy

Interior Paint

Standard life expectancy: 3 years
After 3 years, paint is considered fully depreciated.

3. Appliance Life Expectancy

MoveZen utilizes the following standards:

  • Refrigerator: 13 years

  • Range/Stove: 13 years

  • Washer/Dryer: 10 years

  • Water Heater: 10 years

  • Garbage Disposal: 10 years

  • HVAC System: 15 years

Depreciation is applied against these numbers when assessing tenant-caused damage.

4. Safety Devices & Components

  • Smoke Detectors: 7 years

  • CO Detectors: 7 years

These are scheduled replacement items and are rarely tenant-chargeable unless damaged due to misuse.

Why Depreciation Matters for Owners

Understanding lifespan helps owners:

  • Avoid expecting full replacement reimbursement for old items

  • Budget accurately for long-term maintenance

  • Reduce frustration over allowable deposit deductions

  • Make smarter upgrade decisions

  • Evaluate whether turnover costs are normal or excessive

Lifespan application is required when determining tenant responsibility.

How MoveZen Applies Depreciation During Damage Assessment

When an item is damaged:

  • We confirm whether the damage is beyond wear and tear

  • We determine the age of the item

  • We apply a prorated depreciation schedule

  • Only the remaining value is chargeable

  • Documentation supports each decision

For example:

  • Carpet installed 4 years ago, 5-year lifespan, 1/5 value remains

  • Refrigerator installed 8 years ago, 13-year lifespan, 5/13 value remains

  • Paint older than 3 years, no value remains

Items That Are Rarely Chargeable Due to Short Lifespan

  • Interior paint

  • Carpet

  • Linoleum

  • Caulk

  • Grout 

Most of these items have very low remaining value after a few years.

How Owners Can Use This Information to Reduce Long-Term Costs

  • Install durable flooring instead of low-grade materials

  • Use high-quality washable paint

  • Choose durable appliances rather than the cheapest models

  • Maintain regular preventative maintenance schedules

  • Avoid custom finishes that are costly to replace

Durability is often less expensive over time.