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When small defects accumulate, living in a rented flat quickly becomes frustrating—especially when a landlord uses "fair wear and tear" as an umbrella excuse to avoid taking action.

Under standard Singapore Tenancy Agreements (CEA template framework), understanding the clear distinction between **fair wear and tear**, **tenant minor repairs**, and **landlord obligations** will protect your deposit and peace of mind.

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### Clarifying What "Wear and Tear" Actually Means

Fair wear and tear refers to the natural, inevitable deterioration of materials over time through normal, non-abusive everyday use.

* **Landlord Misuse of the Term:** Landlords often claim that because something broke down through aging, it is "wear and tear," implying the tenant should live with it or pay for it.
* **The Legal Reality:** By law and contract convention, **tenants are expressly NOT liable for fair wear and tear**. If an item degrades due to age, the landlord cannot deduct it from your security deposit upon handover.

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### How to Address Your Current Issues

1. **Aircon Noise & Rattling:**
* Review your TA’s aircon clause. As long as you maintain your quarterly routine servicing receipts, **mechanical wear, compressor faults, fan bearing noises, or chemical overhauls fall on the landlord**.
* If the aircon technician indicates internal motor degradation, submit that service report directly to the landlord.

2. **Poor Water Pressure:**
* This is typically an infrastructure issue (clogged plumbing lines, faulty storage heater pressure valves, or building main inlet pressure), not tenant damage.
* Check if it affects all taps or just one. If it is building-wide or requires replacing concealed valves/heaters, it is a structural landlord responsibility.

3. **Swollen Cupboards:**
* In Singapore's humid climate, cheap chipboard/MDF swells naturally near sinks or bathrooms over time.
* **Crucial Step:** Take dated photos and notify your landlord in writing right now. State clearly that there are no active spills and that the swelling is due to age/ambient humidity. Having written records on file prevents the landlord from accusing you of water negligence and deducting it from your deposit at handover.

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### Your Practical Next Move

Check your Tenancy Agreement’s **Minor Repair Clause** (commonly capped between S$150 and S$300).

Compile a consolidated, polite WhatsApp or email with photos and service notes, framing them as preventative maintenance to protect their property from further degradation.

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Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®

MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)

CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile: (+65) 88899918 

Email: onassis@sgagent.com

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Hi there!

One thing I would highlight is that **normal wear and tear doesn't necessarily mean nothing needs to be done about it.**

Every property will experience deterioration over time, whether owner-occupied or rented. However, there's a difference between accepting reasonable ageing and allowing maintenance issues to affect the enjoyment and functionality of a home.

In your case, I wouldn't simply dismiss all three issues as normal wear and tear without first establishing their causes.

For the noisy air-conditioning, when was it last serviced, and has the technician identified the problem?

For the poor water pressure, is it affecting the entire property or just certain taps?

As for the swollen cupboards, is there any possibility of water seepage or leakage? If so, leaving the issue unattended could result in more extensive damage.

These are questions worth investigating before deciding who should bear the repair costs.

**My suggestion is to avoid debating with your landlord over whether something constitutes wear and tear at this stage.**

Instead, document the issues with photographs or videos and send a consolidated message requesting that the problems be inspected.

Refer to your Tenancy Agreement, particularly the clauses concerning minor repairs, air-conditioning servicing and the landlord's maintenance responsibilities.

Depending on the cause of the problem and the agreed tenancy terms, responsibility for the repairs may fall on either party.

One important point: **Don't assume that every repair below the minor-repair limit automatically becomes the tenant's responsibility.** The nature of the defect and the wording of the agreement matter.

Since you've been staying there for almost a year, I would also encourage you to address these matters before your tenancy ends rather than leaving everything until the handover inspection.

This helps prevent disagreements over the security deposit later.

Ultimately, a tenancy should be a working relationship between landlord and tenant. Tenants have a responsibility to look after the property, while landlords should also take reasonable steps to maintain it in accordance with the tenancy agreement.

If the issues are affecting your daily living, there's nothing unreasonable about raising them properly and seeking a resolution.

Hope this helps!

Geryl Lim
CEA Reg No: R014783H
 9278 7772  Read More

1. Small issues can add up and affect daily comfort. It’s reasonable to raise them with your landlord rather than simply accepting everything as wear and tear.

2. Take photos or videos and report all defects in writing, keeping a record of the landlord’s replies.

3. Check your tenancy agreement for minor repairs, aircon servicing and maintenance responsibilities. Who pays depends on the cause and agreed terms.

4. Address the problems before moving out to reduce potential disputes over your security deposit.

5. Stay polite but firm, and request an inspection to identify the actual causes before discussing repair costs.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” — Benjamin Franklin

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