NTS in case landlord tries to deduct linoleum/vinyl replacement: Relative lifespan: The cost of vinyl and linoleum is offset to some extent by the difference in their life cycles. While vinyl can cost as much as 50% less than linoleum, it will only last on average 10-20 years. Meanwhile a linoleum floor can last upwards of 20-40 years, which means...
source http://flooring.about.com/od...
- Laura Norvig
Normal wear and tear includes simple wearing down of carpet or drapes because of normal use or aging, and includes moderate dirt or spotting. In contrast, large rips or indelible stains justify a deduction from the tenant’s security deposit for repairing the carpet or drapes or replacing them if that is reasonably necessary. On common method of calculating the deduction for replacement prorates the total cost of replacement so that the tenant pays only for remaining useful life of the item that the tenant has damaged or destroyed. For example, suppose a tenant has damages beyond repair an eight-year-old carpet that had a life expectancy of ten years and that a replacement carpet of similar quality would cost $1000. The landlord could properly charge only $200 for the two years’ worth of life (use) that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged the carpet.
- Laura Norvig