Question 1

Can my landlord charge me for a damaged interior door?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type of damage. Loose hinges, minor scuffs, worn finishes, and sticky latches from normal use are wear and tear — not chargeable. However, holes punched or kicked into doors, broken panels, cracked frames from slamming, and removed or destroyed doors are considered tenant-caused damage and can be charged, subject to depreciation.

Question 2

Is there a difference between interior and exterior door damage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Exterior doors (front door, back door) have habitability and security implications. A damaged exterior door may need to be repaired promptly by the landlord regardless of cause, and the landlord may then charge the tenant if the damage was tenant-caused. Interior doors (bedroom, bathroom, closet) are simpler — the same wear-and-tear vs. damage analysis applies, but there are no habitability concerns.

Question 3

How does depreciation apply to door damage charges?

Accepted Answer

Interior hollow-core doors typically last 15-20 years, while solid-core doors last 20-30+ years. Exterior doors last 20-30 years. If a hollow-core door is 12 years old (expected lifespan: 15 years), it has only 20% of its value remaining. The landlord can charge you at most 20% of the replacement cost, not the full price of a new door.

Question 4

Can a landlord charge for a door that won't close properly?

Accepted Answer

A door that sticks or won't close properly due to settling of the building, humidity changes, or worn hinges is normal wear and tear — not chargeable. However, if the door won't close because the frame was damaged from force (slamming, kicking), or because the tenant modified the door or hardware improperly, that may be chargeable damage.

Can My Landlord Charge Me for Door Damage? Here's What the Law Says