A technician's findings, maintenance history, age, prior condition, and evidence of misuse or neglect can help distinguish equipment failure from tenant-caused damage.
Facts that may support the charge
- Broken parts from misuse (e.g., doors forced, shelves snapped)
- Damage from improper cleaning (e.g., harsh chemicals that corroded surfaces)
- Neglect that caused failure (e.g., severe buildup that prevented operation)
Questions and warning signs
- Charging for normal mechanical failure with no misuse evidence
- No repair invoice or invoice that doesn't identify the unit/address
- Charging replacement cost when only a small part repair was needed
What to ask for
- Technician report describing cause of failure
- Repair invoice and parts list
- Photos showing the condition at move-out
How to review or dispute it
- Request the technician's findings (cause of failure).
- Dispute any charges that appear to be routine maintenance or age-related failure.
- Ask for proof tying the damage to tenant misuse (not age).
If you want to challenge the charge in writing, customize the dispute template. Use a full demand letter when you are ready to request repayment by a specific date.
Tip: Use the Deduction Checker to review the amount and record which supporting documents are missing.