I'm a renter who needs advice from more experienced renters.

[candy]

I owned my home for many years(never a landlady)

I have been renting an expensive apartment for 2 years but will be leaving.

Do I have to spackle the nail holes where pictures are hung? It will need repainting anyway,I assume,before he can rent it again because the rent is so high.

I assume this(the nail holes) is considered"normal wear and tear" and I don't want my landlord deducting this from my security deposit.

Thanks!

[no_hypocrisy]

1. HELL YES!!

I rented a room in a rooming house. The owners changed during my tenancy and the new owner had a habit of going around the room and find "something" to deduct from the deposit. She loved holes or chunks in the wall plaster. So I was hip when I gave notice.

I went around the room with Colgate toothpaste (white original formula) and a putty knife. Then for extra flair, I used off-white White Out (typing correction stuff).

The pay-off came as I watched Mrs. Owner expectantly going around the room, confused, looking for the holes that were pre-existent before I moved in. I got 100% of the deposit back.

[candy]

2. My God,what a great idea. Thanks!

[silverweb]

3. Yes, patch up the little holes.

Some cheap spackling or even white toothpaste will do a fine job.

I managed a small apartment building for a number of years and the owner was a real bastard about deducting for every little thing -- even some things that were clearly "wear and tear" items. I had to fight with him every time a tenant left because he tried to deduct so much.

It's better to take a little extra time to make sure the place is in decent shape. If the owner deducts from your security, it could be a hassle getting your money back.

Good luck!

[candy]

8. Thanks for your help---I really appreciate it.

[nankerphelge]

4. Depends on how big a jerk your landlord is...

you should intuitively know from previous dealings.

[candy]

9. He's an asshole----sorry for the language!

[NJCher]

5. if you're in NJ

It's considered normal wear and tear and if you landlord deducts it, you can take him/her to landlord-tenant court and get double your security back.

Cool deal. For a tenant, that is.


Cher

[candy]

11. I'm going to check the Massachusetts regs right now---thanks!

[Tempest]

6. Depending on the state you live in, it's considered normal wear and tear

I know for a fact it's considered normal wear and tear in Oregon, Alaska, Washington state, California, Montana and Colorado.

I used to get around, and I rented in all those states.

[BiggJawn]

7. It's such a little thing.

I change the decor occassionally here, and I go around and spackle the nail and screw holes just because I don't want to see 'em.

I'll do it if I ever leave here. If my daughter has to deal with it, she's gonna lose the deposit anyway from the stink my corpse leaves behind, so why bother?

[candy]

12. Aw,come on---you'll be around for a while.

I always repaired them in my own home but wasn't sure of the tenant responsibilities.

[BiggJawn]

14. Oh, I plan to be.

I just don't plan to fall for that "Home Ownership" bullshit again.
The rent's reasonable, I love this snmall town, and I see NO reason not to stay here for another 25-30 years...

Tennant "responsibilities" is one thng, the Golden Rule is another. And spackle is SO cheap, especailly that stuff that DAP makes that has the consitiency of Cool-Whip...

[Mutley]

10. I always do just to be safe.

[candy]

13. Thanks---that's what I'll do,using some of the methods on this thread.