Asked by
Hi, I rent a room and by the time my lease is done, the landlord demanded $1000 or a table replacement in the common area. She claimed that I damaged the table by placing a slightly wet wrung-out towel on the table when cleaning the room on my move-in date. Just wondering, if the damage is my responsibility and not considered wear and tear as I am renting a room not the entire unit? And must I pay the the whole cost of the table which she claimed to be $1000?
0
76 views
Want this question answered?
Get faster responses from our experts by upvoting.
Be the first to upvote this question.

4 Answers

???? Basics: What’s “Fair Wear and Tear” vs “Damage”

“Fair wear and tear” refers to the deterioration that occurs from normal usage and ageing — e.g. minor scratches, fading paint, slight wear from use. Tenants are generally not held liable for fair wear and tear.

If the property or item (furniture, fixtures) is damaged beyond what’s reasonably expected — due to misuse, negligence, or carelessness — that may be considered “damage” and the tenant can be held liable.

In short: landlord pays for normal wear; tenant pays for damage beyond that.

????️ Does It Matter That You're Renting a Room (Not Whole Unit) & It’s Common-Area Furniture?

Yes — but the core principle remains the same. Whether you rent an entire flat or just a room, shared/common-area items (tables, sofa, cupboards) are part of the leased premises. If there’s a “fair wear and tear + damages beyond that” clause in the Tenancy Agreement (TA), then the responsibility works the same way.
WhatsApp me at >>9856 9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255.

----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>

(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:

like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!

WhatsApp me at: ✔✔ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255

(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:

✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: @ +65 9 8 5 6 9 2 5 5

***(4) ✅ ✅ ✅ DEVELOPER SALES TEAM!!! BEST PRICES !!! ✅ ✅ NO AGENT FEES !! ✅ ✅ LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED!!!

*** ✔✔Connect Singapore Line: ✔✔(65) 9856*9255

FOR : UPDATED INFO / E- BROCHURE / FLOOR PLAN / PRICE LIST!!!

NEW Launches Condominium in SINGAPORE :CALL/ WHATSAPP me FOR BEST CHEAPEST, LOWEST PRICE Straight From Developer Sales Team !!!

NORTH Region //

N1.Springleaf Residence – Upper Thomson Road, D26 | OCR | ~3 min to Springleaf MRT (TEL)

N2.Artisan 8 – Sin Ming Road, D20 | RCR | ~4 min to Upper Thomson MRT (TEL)

N3.Canberra Crescent Residences – Canberra Crescent, D27 | OCR | ~6 min to Canberra MRT (NSL)

SOUTH Region //

S1.UpperHouse @ Orchard – Orchard Boulevard, D10 | CCR | Direct link to Orchard Boulevard MRT (TEL)

S2.Zion Residences – Zion Road, D9 | CCR | ~4 min to Great World MRT (TEL)

S3.Promenade Peak – Zion Road, D9 | CCR | ~5 min to Havelock MRT (TEL)

S4.Robertson Opus – Unity Street, D9 | CCR | ~7 min to Fort Canning MRT (DTL)

S5.River Green – River Valley Road, D9 | CCR | ~5 min to Great World MRT (TEL)

EAST Region //

E1.Arina East Residences – Tanjong Rhu Road, D15 | RCR | ~3 min to Katong Park MRT (TEL)

E2,Amber House – Amber Gardens, D15 | RCR | ~10 min to Tanjong Katong / Marine Parade MRT (TEL)

E3.Mori @ Guillemard – Guillemard Road, D14 | RCR | ~8 min to Mountbatten MRT (CCL)

WEST Region //

W1.LyndenWoods – Science Park Drive, D5 | RCR | ~5 min to Kent Ridge MRT (CCL)

W2,Bloomsbury Residences – Media Circle, D5 | RCR | ~8 min to one-north MRT (CCL)

W3.Faber Walk GLS – Faber Walk, D5 | RCR | ~10 min to Clementi MRT (EWL)

W4.Elta Condo (Clementi Ave 1) – Clementi Avenue 1, D5 | RCR | ~10 min to Clementi MRT (EWL)

OTHERS / OCR Launches //

O1.One Marina Gardens – Marina Gardens Lane, D1 | CCR | ~2 min to Marina South MRT (TEL)

O2.W Residences Marina View – Marina View, D1 | CCR | ~2 min to Shenton Way MRT (TEL)

O3.Otto Place EC – Plantation Close, D24 | OCR | ~6 min to Tengah Park MRT (JRL)

O4.The SEN – De Souza Avenue, D21 | OCR | ~8 min to Hillview MRT (DTL)

O5.Skye at Holland – Holland Drive, D10 | CCR | ~6 min to Holland Village MRT (CCL)

O6.Ma Read More
0
1. Damage in common areas is still your responsibility only if you caused it
Even if you rent just a room, you are still responsible for any damage you personally create in the shared spaces. But the landlord must show clear evidence that the damage came from you.
If she only noticed it at the end of the lease, and there were no photos or inventory at the start, it becomes a lot harder for her to prove.

2. Wear and tear is not claimable
Minor water marks, stains or light surface blemishes normally fall under wear and tear.
A ruined table top or swelling that shows long exposure to water is different, but you should look closely at the condition. A damp towel placed once on move in day rarely causes a thousand dollars’ worth of damage unless the table is very sensitive or already compromised.

3. You are not obliged to pay whatever price she quotes
A landlord can only claim:
• fair and reasonable repair or replacement cost
• based on similar items in the market
• with proof such as receipts or quotations

If the table is older, the value should be depreciated as well, not charged at brand new replacement price.

4. Negotiate, do not simply accept the $1000
Ask for:
• the age of the table
• original receipt or proof of purchase
• a proper quotation from a furniture repairer
• evidence that the damage came from your towel on day one

In many cases, landlords settle for a much smaller amount once asked for documentation.

5. If she refuses to be reasonable
You can:
• counter offer based on market value
• request mediation through SCT (Small Claims Tribunals) if she tries to withhold an unfair sum from your deposit

Most landlords prefer to settle rather than go through SCT scrutiny. Read More
0
???? Basics: What’s “Fair Wear and Tear” vs “Damage”

“Fair wear and tear” refers to the deterioration that occurs from normal usage and ageing — e.g. minor scratches, fading paint, slight wear from use. Tenants are generally not held liable for fair wear and tear.

If the property or item (furniture, fixtures) is damaged beyond what’s reasonably expected — due to misuse, negligence, or carelessness — that may be considered “damage” and the tenant can be held liable.

In short: landlord pays for normal wear; tenant pays for damage beyond that.

????️ Does It Matter That You're Renting a Room (Not Whole Unit) & It’s Common-Area Furniture?

Yes — but the core principle remains the same. Whether you rent an entire flat or just a room, shared/common-area items (tables, sofa, cupboards) are part of the leased premises. If there’s a “fair wear and tear + damages beyond that” clause in the Tenancy Agreement (TA), then the responsibility works the same way.
WhatsApp me at >>9856 9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255.

----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>

(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:

like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!

WhatsApp me at: ✔✔ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255

(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:

✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: @ +65 9 8 5 6 9 2 5 5

***(4) ✅ ✅ ✅ DEVELOPER SALES TEAM!!! BEST PRICES !!! ✅ ✅ NO AGENT FEES !! ✅ ✅ LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED!!!

*** ✔✔Connect Singapore Line: ✔✔(65) 9856*9255

FOR : UPDATED INFO / E- BROCHURE / FLOOR PLAN / PRICE LIST!!!

NEW Launches Condominium in SINGAPORE :CALL/ WHATSAPP me FOR BEST CHEAPEST, LOWEST PRICE Straight From Developer Sales Team !!! Read More
0

Still looking for answers?

Get answers from PropertyGuru experts in 24 hours

Previously Asked Questions