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Property management glossary
Maintenance & operations

Ordinary wear and tear

Plain-English definition

Deterioration that occurs through normal, intended use of a rental over time rather than abuse or negligence.

What ordinary wear and tear means in practice

The boundary between wear and chargeable damage depends on facts, age, useful life, documentation, and local law. Move-in evidence and consistent inspection records are stronger than memory or undated photos.

Example

Minor carpet wear along a normal walking path may be ordinary wear, while a large burn can present a different documented condition.

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This glossary is educational and not legal, tax, lending, or accounting advice. Rules and terminology can vary by jurisdiction and professional context.