Can a landlord charge for a damaged door?
Short answer
It depends
Minor scuffs and hardware loosened by years of use are wear and tear, but holes, cracks, broken doors, or damage from forcing a lock are generally chargeable.
Doors absorb normal use — light scuffing, a slightly loose hinge, minor marks near the handle — and that's wear and tear that adjusting or refinishing handles as maintenance.
Real damage is chargeable: holes punched or kicked through a door, cracked panels, doors pulled off the frame, or damage from forcing a lock. Interior hollow-core doors are inexpensive, so keep replacement charges to actual cost and prorate where relevant.
Usually normal wear & tear
- ✓Light scuffs and marks
- ✓Slightly loose hinges from age
Often chargeable damage
- •Holes or cracks in the door
- •Doors kicked in or off the frame
- •Damage from forcing a lock
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.