Points Landlords Shouldn’t Charge Tenants for? Full Breakdown!

🔎Deep dive!!!
From ceiling to floor,
which points
should condo owners
NOT charge tenants for damages? 🧐
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If you are a condo owner
or a landlord renting out a house,
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The move-out inspection period
can be the most stressful time.
Walking around,
heart pounding,
some even almost use a magnifying glass to check every corner.
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But wait!!!!
Not everything
can be charged to tenants.
Some things are wear & tear
from normal usage,
which landlords are responsible for.
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Today, let’s go through from ceiling to floor,
to see what shouldn’t be charged to tenants.
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1️⃣ Ceiling & walls 🏠
✅ Faded or discolored paint
Normal issue,
because sunlight, humidity,
and age cause fading naturally.

✅ Light dust or slight soot stains
May result from cooking or poor ventilation.
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✅ Small nail holes or standard hanging marks
If stated in the contract
or approved by the landlord,
allowing small frames or shelves,
if the holes are standard,
should not charge damages.
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2️⃣ Windows & glass 🪟
✅ Dust or slight water stains on glass
Natural, especially for high floors or dusty roadside units.
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✅ Slightly stiff window or sliding door frames
Caused by dust or track wear, not tenant's fault.
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3️⃣ Kitchen counters & sink 🍽️
✅ Small scratches on countertops
From normal use, such as chopping or placing heavy items.
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✅ Water stains or limescale in the sink
Thai water is hard, has lots of minerals, normal.
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4️⃣ Bathroom 🚽
✅ Limescale in toilets
If not cracked or broken, it’s regular maintenance.
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✅ Faucets or shower heads with limescale
Landlord should clean or replace periodically.
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5️⃣ Mold on bathroom ceiling 🌫️
Explained in detail since it’s a common dispute.
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#Main causes of bathroom ceiling mold
❗ High humidity buildup (bathrooms are No.1 for this)
❗ Poor ventilation (no exhaust fan or window)
❗ Leaks from upstairs pipes (especially in condos)
❗ Sealed ceiling design, making ventilation difficult
❗ Frequent use of hot water or steam, vapor rises to ceiling
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Mostly,
mold results from structure
and bathroom design.
Without exhaust fans
or ventilation channels,
high mold risk,
and considered structural maintenance
which the landlord must handle.
Not caused by “misuse” by tenants.
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Tenants are responsible for cleaning
walls or ceiling only to reachable height.
.
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6️⃣ Furniture & decor 🛋️
✅ Faded color or minor scratches
Normal from sitting, placing items, or sunlight.
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✅ Sofas or cushions sagging or softening
Foam and materials naturally wear down.
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✅ Curtains fading or looking dull
Sunlight is curtains’ worst enemy.
.
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7️⃣ Light bulbs 💡
✅ Burnt out or deteriorated bulbs
Light bulbs have limited lifespan.
.
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8️⃣ Floors 🪵
✅ Small scratches on wood/laminate floors
From moving chairs or tables, considered wear & tear.
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✅ Hairline marks or slight fading on tiles
From normal walking, not intentional damage.
.
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9️⃣ Air conditioner ❄️
✅ Less cool or louder noise
From continuous use,
compressor aging.
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✅ If tenant cleaned AC regularly but still not cool, it means equipment is aging, shouldn’t blame tenant.
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1️⃣0️⃣ Refrigerator 🧊
✅ Noisy or slight drop in cooling
Caused by compressor
or cooling system aging.
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✅ If used normally, should not charge.
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1️⃣1️⃣ Microwave or electric stove 🔥
✅ Slight power drop
Internal circuits or coils deteriorate with age.
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1️⃣2️⃣ Washing machine 🧺
✅ Louder spin or more vibration
Bearings or mechanical parts wear from use.
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✅ If used properly and not overloaded, should not charge.
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1️⃣3️⃣ Remote battery dead or buttons harder to press 🎛️
✅ Considered normal wear from use.
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1️⃣4️⃣ LED indicator lights on appliances 💡✨
✅ Start flickering
LED lifespan naturally decreases over time.
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1️⃣5️⃣ Kitchen hood weaker suction 🌀
✅ Worn filter or weakened motor, needs periodic maintenance.
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Lastly and most importantly,
let’s explain about AC,
as it’s commonly misunderstood.
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AC breaks from no cleaning
leading to pipe leaks.
Separate into two points:
✅ Can charge
❌ Cannot charge
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First, understand “responsibility.”
When renting,
AC cleaning
is usually clearly stated in contracts.
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✅ Tenant must clean periodically (e.g., every 6 months)
✅ Or landlord arranges yearly service
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But! In reality,
some landlords
or agent contracts
do not clearly state this
or don’t follow up, such as
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❌ No cleaning schedule given
❌ No reminders
❌ Not included in service list
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Thus,
if no contract provision
or no written notice to tenants,
unmaintained AC
is mainly the landlord’s responsibility,
considered preventive maintenance.
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💧 Why do pipes leak?
During AC cleaning,
drain pipes are cleaned.
If left too long,
sediment or dust clogs them,
✅ Overflowing water
✅ Leaking or flooding inside the room
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Main cause is
✅ No periodic maintenance
❌ Not misuse
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According to international (Fair wear & tear) standard,
in many countries,
and general rental standards, it states:
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"Maintenance of main systems (e.g., AC, plumbing, electrical)
is landlord's responsibility,
unless due to intentional damage
or misuse."
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If AC breaks from dirt due to no cleaning,
it’s normal deterioration,
and maintenance
is landlord’s duty.
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Thus, charges can be applied
only when clearly stated in contract:
✅ Tenant must clean every 6 months
✅ Notifications provided
✅ Tenant failed to comply
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In that case, damage charge is valid,
since tenant clearly breached contract.
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⭐ Easy summary:
🔹 No contract requirement + no landlord reminder = Do not charge
🔹 Clear contract + tenant neglect = Can charge
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#NextArticle
Coming next:
What kinds of damages
can landlords legally charge tenants for?
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Join the discussion at
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