What constitutes fair wear and tear - rental deposit

Sportacus

I'll soon be moving out of the property I've been renting and am concerned that the landlord may charge for repainting. Basically we've been in the house for 4 years, and during that time the walls have taken a few knocks, smudges, and some flaking paint (some my fault when removing blue-tacked posters).

I'd be ok making a contribution to the repainting cost, but don't think it would be fair to be charged for a full repaint. What are other people's opinions/experiences on this?

note_2

go on the relevant websites government websites its all explained.

if a room needs to be repainted every e.g. 5 years, and the room costs £200 to repaint and you've been there 4 years, then as there is only 1 year left in the cycle it would cost you 1/5 x £200 = £40.

Sportacus

That's great news, but could you please point me to the government site that has this formula?

note_2

had a good look and found it

http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/resources/files/A-guide-to-deposits-disputes-and-damages.pdf

near the bottom this is the relevant quote for you.

In the rare circumstances where damage (to the worktop/carpet/mattress/item etc) is so extensive
or severe as to affect the achievable rent level or market quality of the property, the most
appropriate remedy might be replacement and to apportion costs according to the age and useful
lifespan of the item. An example of how this might be calculated is set out below:12
a) Cost of similar replacement carpet/item - £500.00
b) Actual age of existing carpet/item – 2 years
c) Average useful lifespan of that type of carpet/item – 10 years
d) Residual lifespan of carpet/item calculated as c) less b) – 8 years
e) Depreciation of value rate calculated as a) divided by c) - £50 per year
f) Reasonable apportionment cost to tenant calculated as d) times e) - £400.00

UnitedSum

Unless you've literally knocked a hole in the wall, I wouldn't consider knocks, smudges, & flaking paint to be anything more than fair wear and tear after FOUR years. After that amount of time the place is going to need a repaint anyway. If you're feeling generous, you could offer to make a contribution. But IMO you're not obligated.