Can a landlord charge for replacing light bulbs?
Short answer
Usually normal wear and tear
Burned-out bulbs are generally a minor turnover cost and normal wear, so charging for standard bulbs is hard to justify — though bulbs a tenant removed or specialty bulbs they broke can be different.
Light bulbs burn out; that's expected. Deducting for a few standard bulbs is a small, easily-challenged charge most tenants and courts view as ordinary turnover rather than damage.
It's more defensible when bulbs are missing entirely because the tenant took them, or when expensive specialty bulbs need replacing because the tenant broke or removed them. Even then, keep any charge to actual cost.
Usually normal wear & tear
- ✓Standard bulbs burned out from normal use
Often chargeable damage
- •Bulbs the tenant removed and took with them
- •Specialty bulbs broken through misuse
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.