Any unpleasant modifications to the property, which were used with some intent on the part of the tenant, would cause damage to the property. Large or small holes in the wall, broken tiles and wall mirrors, dysfunctional bath or kitchen faucets, torn carpets and permanent stains on padding are not the kind of changes that the property would undergo without abuse or neglect. For any damage that undermines the value of the property and is not considered normal wear and tear, the tenant must pay the landlord for the repair work. In Sarkin, the court considered what might need to be repaired by a tenant who would not be subject to the exception of “fair wear and tear” (Sarkin v Koen 1948 (4) SA 438 (C)). The fixing of the lights and the attachment of broken bricks on the roofs were among the examples mentioned by the court. The court found that the objects should not be replaced, but only repaired. The Wording of the Tribunal states: “Time must be taken into account; an old article is not to be redone; but to the extent that the repair can be repaired or can be protected from the ravages of time and elements, “Changes that affect a rental property during the tenancy without the intent of the lessor or tenant to influence these changes were felt as general wear and tear. For example, the paint on the wall will lose its luster for a few years and could begin to peel, or lines of joints may appear on the floor, despite regular cleaning. If the estate has wood floors, it would develop small bumps over time. Wooden furniture would begin to show normal signs of wear by losing their color and integrity. If you want to claim damages, you must prove that this goes beyond fair wear and tear, so it is important that you have a complete and accurate record of the condition of the property and its contents before the start of the rental period. Note that as a marginal remark, an owner cannot expect to recover the property in a better condition than the one in which it was at the beginning of the lease. The clauses of the lease that insist on professional cleaning products or certain items (for example.
B window) that are cleaned are considered unfair and not adrois if the property was not of the same standard when the tenants arrived. For more information, check out our guide to avoid abusive clauses in leases. If some items were worn at the beginning of the lease but are now damaged, this can be fair wear and tear. For example: If carpets and curtains are misleading, then normal use during rent could cause them. One way to avoid shadows is to ensure, at the beginning of the lease, that all aspects of the property are in a condition that could not be aggravated by normal wear and tear. “Most of the wear and tear on the property during the tenancy could be invalidated by a complete cleaning of the premises once the tenant has taken his belongings into his former home. Since there are many online cleaning services at a reasonable cost, it makes perfect sense for the tenant to employ an operator who would do the work for you and use the house in its former splendour,” adds Kumar. If the tenant does not do so, the landlord has the right to deduct from the deposit the costs invested in the cleaning, Kumar says.
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