Landlords can charge a tenant for nail holes if they damage the walls in a way that is not a result of normal use of the rental unit.
When Can a Landlord Charge for Nail Holes?
Landlords can charge a tenant for damage to the rental unit’s walls. However, landlords cannot charge for normal wear and tear, which is the expected deterioration of a rental unit when it is used as designed.
Difference Between Damage from Nail Holes and Normal Wear and Tear
Normal wear and tear due to nail holes includes using small nails or thumbtacks to hang posters or pictures. However, damage occurs when tenants use the walls in an abusive or negligent way.
Examples of damage that a landlord can charge tenants for include:
- Large holes from drilling
- Numerous holes in the same area
- Large nail holes
- Holes that crack or otherwise damage the paint in the surrounding area
How Much Can a Landlord Charge for Nail Holes?
If landlords determine that a tenant damaged the wall, they can charge the tenant for the cost to repair it. However, the charge must be reasonable. Landlords can charge a flat, reasonable fee for each hole or hire someone to fix the wall and pass along the actual cost of materials and labor.
A flat fee for each hole is typically $5 to $25, depending on the size. If landlords choose to hire someone to fix the wall, they can collect multiple quotes to compare and determine a reasonable cost.
