Can a landlord charge for damaged appliances?
Short answer
It depends
You can charge when a tenant breaks an appliance through misuse or neglect, but not when an appliance simply fails or wears out with age. Proration for the appliance's remaining life applies.
Appliances break down over time, and normal mechanical failure is the landlord's responsibility. If a refrigerator compressor dies or a dishwasher stops working after years of use, that's not a tenant charge — it's the cost of owning the appliance.
Tenant-caused damage is different: a cracked glass cooktop, a microwave burned out by running it empty, racks and shelves broken through misuse, or an appliance ruined by neglect. For those, you can deduct repair or replacement cost, prorated for how much useful life the appliance had left.
Keep purchase dates and any repair invoices. The distinction between 'it broke' and 'they broke it' is exactly what a deduction dispute turns on.
Usually normal wear & tear
- ✓An appliance that failed from age
- ✓Normal mechanical breakdown
- ✓Worn finishes on older units
Often chargeable damage
- •Cracked glass cooktop
- •Microwave burned out by misuse
- •Broken racks, shelves, or doors from mishandling
More deduction questions
This is general educational information about how normal wear and tear is typically distinguished from tenant damage — not legal advice. Deposit rules vary by state and locality; confirm your state's rules or consult a local attorney before relying on any specific deduction.