Making decorations in your rental unit can make a temporary living situation feel like home. However, many Isla Vista tenants find that these decorations cost them when they move out. Landlords can deduct costs for repairs from your security deposit if the damage done is beyond “ordinary wear and tear.” This guide will outline some common practices that may result in a deduction from your security deposit and provide alternatives.

• Posters and wall decor are many peoples first choice for room decorations. When hanging items on your walls, avoid using screws, nails, or any fastener that will leave a large and noticeable hole in your wall. Instead, opt for command strips, thumbtacks, or even tape as a substitute. Command strips can be surprisingly effective at holding up heavy objects without permanently damaging drywall.
• Drilling in window or shower curtains can jeopardize your security deposit. Opt for non-permanent solutions such as tension rods instead.
• Replacing hardware, such as light fixtures or door locks, may make you liable for a deduction. Refer to your lease regarding what is allowed, as flexibility on alterations such as replacing door locks varies between leasing companies.
  • Tip: If you feel the need to replace your door handle for one with a deadlock or codelock, keep your original handle to reinstall during before your move out. Again, refer to your lease on whether this is allowed.
• Painting your walls is generally not allowed, and the cost of repainting can be deducted from your security deposit. Some leases may explicitly allow removable wallpaper or decals, but do not apply removable decor unless your lease allows for it.
• The furnishing of your apartment is usually allowed, and in fact required, in most Isla Vista housing units. If you damage the property during move-in (e.g. a large dent in the wall from your couch), you may be liable for those damages. That being said, minor scrapes and nicks usually fall under ordinary wear-and-tear.

Generally, damage beyond ordinary wear-and-tear can be assessed with common sense. If you think something may jeopardize your security deposit, refer to your lease or contact your landlord. 

Additionally, there exists a “useful life” rule, which can be used to assess how much money should be deducted following a tenant’s damage to an already used item. 

• For example, imagine that your unit is furnished with carpet that is already 4 years old and your landlord expects it to last another 2 years. If you cause significant damage to the carpet, such as you tear it up to put your own in, you can expect your landlord to deduct money from your security deposit to replace the carpet. However, because the carpet only has 2 out of its 6 years of “useful life” remaining, your landlord should only deduct 1 third of the price of the carpet from your security deposit. This rule is usually applied to assets that stay through multiple tenancies, such as carpets or drapes. 
• Alternatively, if an asset has already outlived its “useful life” expectancy, (e.g. a carpet should have been replaced years ago, your landlord should not charge you for its replacement.

Important: Prior to your move-out, your landlord is required to offer you a pre-move-out “initial inspection.” If you request that this inspection be conducted, your landlord will come to your rental unit and create a list of necessary repairs or cleaning for you to conduct to avoid deductions to your security deposit. This list will come in the form of an itemized statement. If you have holes in your walls, or other damages as a result of your alterations, this should give you a fair chance to fix them yourself.

• Exception: If during the initial inspection any notable damages are covered up by items which you failed to move, and the inspector does not initially notice them as a result, they can still be deducted from your security deposit despite not being listed in the itemized statement.