Can a landlord charge for broken towel bars or bathroom fixtures?
Short answer
It depends
Fixtures loosened by normal use are wear and tear, but towel bars, holders, or fixtures a tenant snapped off or cracked can be replaced at their cost.
Bathroom hardware loosens over years of normal use; tightening or minor wear is maintenance the landlord handles.
Fixtures pulled out of the wall, snapped towel bars, cracked sinks or toilet tanks, or a shower door knocked off its track through misuse are damage. These parts are usually inexpensive, so charge the actual replacement cost.
Usually normal wear & tear
- ✓Hardware loosened by normal use
- ✓Minor aging of fixtures
Often chargeable damage
- •Snapped towel bars or holders
- •Cracked sink or toilet tank
- •Fixtures pulled from the wall
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.