ReclaimDeposit logoReclaimDeposit
ToolsLearnSign In

Can a Landlord Charge for Cabinet or Drawer Damage?

Cabinet hardware and drawers wear out. Learn what counts as damage vs wear, what to request, and how to dispute replacement charges that look like maintenance.

1 min readUpdated January 2026

Cabinet doors, hinges, and drawer slides loosen over time. Landlords can charge for broken parts caused by misuse, but not for ordinary wear and aging hardware.

When the charge can be legitimate

  • Broken doors/hinges from force or misuse
  • Missing hardware due to tenant removal
  • Damage requiring replacement rather than simple adjustment

Red flags

  • Charging for "tightening/adjusting" as a tenant damage item
  • No photos or repair description
  • Replacing entire cabinet units for minor hardware issues

What to ask for

  • Photos showing damage and missing parts
  • Repair invoice and parts list (hinges/slides/handles)
  • Explanation of why replacement (not repair) was necessary

How to dispute

  1. Request photos and the specific part replaced.
  2. Dispute replacement scope if repair/adjustment is sufficient.
  3. Ask for itemized parts/labor costs.

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

Tip: Use the Deduction Checker to sanity-check how the landlord calculated the charge.

Next step

If your landlord missed a deadline or charged questionable deductions, you can generate a demand letter and evidence checklist in minutes.

Use the deduction checkerStart free analysis