Can a Landlord Charge for Appliance Repairs?

If an appliance stops working because it's old or worn, that's typically maintenance — not tenant damage. Landlords can charge when there's evidence of misuse or neglect that caused the problem.

When the charge can be legitimate

• 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)

Red flags

• 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 dispute

1. Request the technician's findings (cause of failure).
2. Dispute any charges that appear to be routine maintenance or age-related failure.
3. Ask for proof tying the damage to tenant misuse (not age).

Start with the dispute template, then escalate to a demand letter if the landlord won't correct it.