Fair wear and tear is the ordinary deterioration expected from normal use, such as minor scuffs, faded paint or carpet wearing over time, rather than damage caused by carelessness or misuse. The assessment should take account of the item's age, quality, condition at the start of the tenancy, and how long you lived there. A landlord generally cannot use a deposit deduction to make an old item effectively new, and should support any claimed loss with evidence. If you disagree about a deduction, the RTB can decide the dispute based on the tenancy's individual facts.