Can a Landlord Charge for Caulking or Grout?

Bathroom caulk and grout discolor with age and normal use. Landlords can charge for unusual damage, but routine re-caulking often looks like maintenance rather than tenant damage.

When the charge can be legitimate

• Tenant-caused damage (e.g., removed caulk, caused excessive damage) is documented
• Neglect caused mold buildup beyond ordinary use (case-specific)
• Invoice shows specific remediation tied to tenant-caused condition

Red flags

• Charging for routine re-caulking between tenants
• No photos or inspection notes describing the condition
• Vague "bathroom repairs" line item with no detail

What to ask for

• Photos of the affected areas (tub/shower/sink)
• Invoice describing the work performed and why it was necessary
• Move-in photos or checklist to establish baseline condition

How to dispute

1. Request photos and itemized scope for the caulk/grout work.
2. Dispute any charges that look like normal aging or routine maintenance.
3. Attach move-out photos and tenancy length context.

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