After a 2-year tenancy, you vacated the property. RentSmart's deposit bot withheld your entire €1,200 deposit: €450 for scuffed paint, €380 for carpet compression, €370 for general cleaning. Your move-in inspection report documents all of these as pre-existing conditions.
The Situation
Landlords and property managers routinely charge tenants for normal wear and tear — paint scuffs and carpet indentations after years of use. Under EU tenancy principles and the Unfair Contract Terms Directive, these deductions are unlawful.
Key Law
- Normal wear and tear — deterioration from ordinary use over time is the landlord's cost, not the tenant's. After 2 years, scuffed paint is expected. Tenancy law
- Move-in documentation — pre-existing conditions documented at move-in cannot be charged at move-out.
- EU Unfair Contract Terms Directive (93/13/EEC) — clauses allowing arbitrary deposit deductions are void. UCTD
Arguments That Work
- Cite the legal definition of normal wear and tear — these charges fail it.
- Attach your move-in inspection report showing pre-existing conditions.
- Demand itemized receipts and independent professional quotes for every deduction.
- Invoke Directive 93/13/EEC — arbitrary deduction clauses are unenforceable.
About This Case
What does RentSmart's PROPTRACK bot withhold?
The full €1,200 — €450 paint, €380 carpet, €370 cleaning — ignoring your move-in inspection report.
What is the strongest wear-and-tear argument in Fix AI?
After 2 years, scuffed paint and carpet compression are normal wear and tear — the landlord's cost, not yours.
How do I practice the RentSmart deposit case?
Open fixai.dev/?level=12 to dispute PROPTRACK's reconciliation.
Related Guides
Practice this dispute against RentSmart's PROPTRACK bot. It withheld €1,200 — you cite wear and tear law.
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