Fair wear and tear is the ordinary deterioration expected from living in a property normally, taking account of the item’s age, quality, condition at the start and length of the tenancy. Examples may include minor scuffs on walls, worn carpets or faded paint, but significant stains, breakages or damage caused by neglect may go beyond reasonable wear and tear. A landlord generally should not use a deposit deduction to replace or improve items simply because they have aged, although evidence such as an inventory and photographs can be important. If the parties disagree, the RTB’s dispute resolution process or a solicitor can assess the individual facts.