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Our renter's (approved) pet made noticeable scratches on the front door of the home. The scratches are noticeable but not deep, meaning the paint is scratched up but the wood is not. Additionally, the paint on the front door is somewhat faded. However, if not for the scratches, I would not have the door repainted at this time.
Would the scratches made by the dog be considered 'wear & tear' or damage? (The lease does not specify any definitions related to pet damage.)
Agree with damage but I would have to wonder what kind of charge it would be?
I mean, while you wouldn't necessarily repaint, don't you have to by law to rent it out again? I imagine laws are different in each state, but as a renter I would want everything freshly painted.
So, while you could charge your former tenant the cost to paint, I'm not sure I would. If the scratches cannot be covered by paint? Then yes, the cost to fix the door is fair.
Thanks All, for your input. (Especially since it's the answer I was hoping for.
This is the outside of the front door, so it's not something that we are required to paint or would paint even if we painted the interior. However, because of the scratches, we will repaint the door.
California law says that we can only charge a portion of the repair to the tenant, based on the 'useful life' of the item. I would assume the useful life of a door is quite long. But I guess I should be considering the 'useful life' of the door's PAINT and not the door itself.
Would anyone hazard a guess as to how long the 'useful life' of the door/exterior paint I should use in this case is?
How often do you have to repaint a house door? Maybe every ten years or so? I'd just charge them whatever it costs to get the door repainted, and let them challenge you if they want. In fact, did you take a pet deposit? Just take it out of that.
Thanks All, for your input. (Especially since it's the answer I was hoping for.
This is the outside of the front door, so it's not something that we are required to paint or would paint even if we painted the interior. However, because of the scratches, we will repaint the door.
California law says that we can only charge a portion of the repair to the tenant, based on the 'useful life' of the item. I would assume the useful life of a door is quite long. But I guess I should be considering the 'useful life' of the door's PAINT and not the door itself.
Would anyone hazard a guess as to how long the 'useful life' of the door/exterior paint I should use in this case is?
Ahhh...I see!
I would just charge them the cost of the paint and maybe a little extra for the time it takes. And I agree with the PP, take it out of the deposit if you can.
If the door is scratched you may have to fill in any gouges and/or sand down the scratched area, in which case you may have to prime first. You may want to get an estimate for having it fixed and either have someone else do it or do it yourself and charge for materials and a reasonable amount for labor. The law simply demands that you not go hog-wild and replace something like a whole door unnecessarily but you're certainly entitled to deduct for whatever it takes to restore the door to the condition it was in when the tenant took occupancy.
lunetunelover, there is much more involved than the cost of the paint and a LL is legally entitled to recover the cost of paint and labor when any painting is necessary to restore the premises to move-in condition (other than normal wear and tear). This is what security deposits cover.
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