#7 When tenants move out, you’re not free to charge them for all damage they’ve caused
Some residential rental owners feel that when tenants move out, they can charge them for any and all wear and tear and damage they’ve caused. While this seems logical, it’s actually, a little more complex. Georgia landlord/tenant laws govern what owners can and cannot charge tenants when moving out. Items like carpet, paint etc. have a depreciation value and wear and tear on these cannot always be charged to the tenant. This excerpt from the Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook explains more:
“The tenant can be charged for damage caused by negligent or careless acts and for damages due to accident or abuse of the property. The landlord can charge the tenant for the loss caused by their damage. For example, if the tenant damaged a ten-year-old carpet so that it could no longer be used, the tenant should be charged for the value of the ten-year-old carpet and not for the cost of the new replacement carpet. A landlord cannot retain a security deposit to cover normal wear and tear that occurs as a result of the tenant using the property for its intended purpose.”
For more specific and complete information on this topic, see the Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook at: http://www.dca.ga.gov/housing/HousingDevelopment/programs/downloads/Georgia_Landlord_Tenant_Handbook.pdf
Clients 1st has processes, procedures and agreements that specifically cover these items to protect both homeowners and tenants within Georgia state law.