End-of-tenancy surface damage is one of the most common sources of deposit disputes between landlords and tenants. Understanding what can be repaired, how much it costs, and how to document it properly can save significant time and money.

What Surface Damage Is Normal Wear and Tear?

Normal wear and tear — which tenants are not liable for — includes minor scuffs on painted surfaces, light carpet wear in traffic areas, and small marks that result from ordinary use over a long tenancy. It does not include chips in baths or worktops, cracks in tiles, scratches on floors from furniture movement, or burn marks on worktops.

These are damage, not wear and tear, and tenants can be held responsible for them through the deposit scheme.

The Case for Repair Over Replacement

When assessing end-of-tenancy damage, there is a significant financial argument for repair over replacement. Deposit schemes — the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme — all require landlords to demonstrate proportionality. A claim for £1,500 to replace a bath when a £150 repair was available will typically be reduced substantially by an adjudicator.

Professional repair is faster, cheaper and more defensible in a deposit dispute than replacement.

What Can Be Repaired at End of Tenancy?

Baths and shower trays — chips, cracks and scratches.
Kitchen worktops — chips, burns and scratches.
Tiles — chips and cracks.
Floors — scratches on hardwood, engineered wood and LVT. Carpet burns and stains are separate.
Doors and frames — chips, scratches and impact damage.
uPVC windows — chips and scratches.

Timing

We aim to complete most end-of-tenancy repairs within 2–5 working days of enquiry. For void properties with multiple repairs, we can often complete everything in a single visit.