How Much Can a Landlord Charge for Damages?

There's nothing more frustrating than getting a charge from your landlord or losing your security deposit due to damages. However, knowing your renter's rights will make all the difference, starting with the difference between normal wear and tear damages and the type of damages you will be held responsible for.

So, how much can a landlord charge for damages, and what is included? It depends! And we'll break it down in the following sections.

The problem comes when you want to fight back against unjust and unfair charges. You can choose to fight your landlord on your own, but DoNotPay will make the whole process much quicker and easier. Our Landlord Protection product can even help with other potential problems such as getting your security deposit back, filing a complaint, learning more about landlord repair responsibilities, and writing/sending a letter to your landlord for repairs.

Overview of How Much a Landlord Can Charge for Damages

First and foremost, it's best practice for any damages to the rental to be noted before you move in, so you're not held accountable. Any damages made after you move in that shortens the lifespan of anything on the property or is outside normal wear and tear — you are responsible for as the tenant.

These damages will first be deducted from your security deposit and then charged to you directly when costs of damage go beyond the amount in your deposit.

Keep in mind that charges vary from state to state. With that being said, you can expect these general estimations of the following damages:

How to Ask Your Landlord for Repairs (When Damage is Normal Wear and Tear)

When damage is due to normal wear and tear, it's up to your landlord to make the repairs (at no cost to you!). If this happens, all you have to do is write a repair notice to your landlord, requesting that they fix the problem.

While it can change depending on your location, landlords are generally given 30 days to respond to your repairs requests. For more important repairs like heat in the winter, repairs are expected to be addressed much quicker.

How to Send a Repair Notice by Yourself

First, simply contact your landlord via text or call to inform them about an issue and ask for a repair. If they do not act or respond, you may want to consider writing a letter.

It is possible to craft and send a repair notice letter to your landlord on your own, but it can take a lot of time and effort. The request often requires tenants to take some of the following steps to complete:

1. Get your landlord's contact information (i.e., address, P.O. Box, etc.).
2. Search for your state's Landlord Repairs form for a template.
3. Detail the problem you're having and the repair you will need.
4. Gather stamps, envelopes, printed repair notice, and any other mailing supplies you may need.
5. Send the letter and wait for a response (if you can, dropping the letter off yourself will save on stamp costs and ensure it is delivered).

If your landlord still doesn't respond, you can qualify for a rent escrow (hold your rent money in an account, and they don't get it until they fix the repair) if you:

• Sent a repair notice letter
• Waited for up to 30 days or more for repairs
• Current with rent payments

Fight Your Landlord With DoNotPay

Whether you're sending a repair notice or fighting your landlord for unfair damage charges, DoNotPay's Landlord Protection product can make a significant difference.

In just four steps, you'll be well on your way to getting the justice you deserve:

1. Search for and open the Landlord Protection product on DoNotPay.

    

2. Select which issue applies to you.

    

3. Answer a simple set of questions so our chatbot can collect the necessary information to create your demand letter.

    

4. Choose whether you want DoNotPay to send the demand letter to your landlord or roommate on your behalf. If you already tried sending a demand letter and it didn't work, we can help you start the small claims court process.

    

And that's all! You should hear back from your landlord directly once your demands are sent.

Why Use DoNotPay for Landlord Protection?

You should use DoNotPay 's services to protect your rights as a tenant and ensure you're not being taken advantage of by your landlord. We can help with FAQs/topics like these and more:

• Return deposit
• How do I kick out a roommate?
• My landlord is threatening to evict me
• Can a landlord evict me without notice?
• How long does a landlord have to return a deposit?
• How do I sue a landlord for a deposit?

As a bonus, DoNotPay can also be an excellent solution for other complex problems you experience in everyday life, such as:

• Taking someone to small claims court with a robot lawyer's knowledge to tap into.
• Handling standardized legal documents that can often be complex and difficult to understand.
• Missing money? You can use DoNotPay for that too! We'll get your money back if you know who has it or search around to see if there's some you don't know about!