Handover condition and fair wear and tear

Fair wear and tear covers things like slightly flattened carpet from foot traffic, minor fading of paint over time, or an appliance that has simply aged from years of normal use. It does not cover stains, burns, broken fittings, unauthorised alterations to the unit, or damage that comes from misuse or a lack of basic care.

The inventory list taken at the start of the tenancy is the practical reference point for this comparison. At move out, both parties, or an agent representing them, typically walk through the unit together and compare its condition against that original record. Anything that goes beyond fair wear and tear is the usual basis for a deposit deduction, while ordinary ageing should be accepted without charge.

It is worth noting that some obligations at handover are contractual rather than about damage at all. Professional cleaning before returning the keys, or servicing the air conditioning units, are sometimes written into the tenancy agreement as a specific requirement regardless of the unit's physical condition, and that is a separate matter from fair wear and tear.

What commonly goes wrong is a landlord trying to charge a tenant for what is really just normal ageing, a tenant leaving genuine damage unrepaired and assuming it will be waived, or disagreement over cleaning standards where the agreement's actual wording on the point gets overlooked by both sides.

Read what the tenancy agreement specifically requires at handover, including any professional cleaning or servicing clauses. Compare the unit against the original inventory list and photos rather than memory, and where an item is genuinely disputed, get an independent quote or assessment before agreeing to a deduction.

Because fair wear and tear is a judgment call rather than a fixed list, disagreements are common and usually come down to how well documented the unit's original condition was. A tenancy agreement that clearly separates contractual handover requirements, such as professional cleaning, from the fair wear and tear standard for physical condition tends to produce far fewer arguments at the end of a lease than one that leaves both blended together.

What to check

• What the tenancy agreement specifically requires at handover beyond ordinary condition
• The original inventory list and photographs, used as the actual comparison point
• Whether any professional cleaning, servicing, or repair clauses apply regardless of condition
• A clear separation between genuine damage and normal ageing from ordinary use
• An independent quote or assessment for any item that is genuinely disputed

Winfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L31010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, CPF Board, or MAS before making any decision.