This is just theoretical, we've already decided but:

House had dated kitchen floor in perfect condition. We chose to leave it last turnover. In fact one prospect said they liked it (it was "retro.")

Tenant is end-of-lease leaving the area, and returning possession two weeks or so early. Full rent is already paid.

BUT big hole in middle of kitchen floor linoleum that was not there when they moved in. No hiding it.

Prior to seeing the hole, we had already decided to update the floor with Allure since we have some time between tenants (it's already rented for the 1st.)

DH and DS can do it and judging by the HD Won't Install thread, they are out of the flooring install biz anyway.

It was in good shape and he damaged it. However, it was an old floor, so perhaps charge 10% of the cost of the materials to replace the floor.

Write up as cost to replace floor for damage is $$$, prorated for the life of the floor, so tenant's share is 10% of $$$ for materials.

Was it a good tenant otherwise?

While you obviously have the option to charge them, if you really planned to do it anyhow maybe let it go?

I have included damages like that on my deposit summary but put $0 or no charge next to it.

Build up some karma points.

When my daughter got her house she loved the old 70's baby blue tile in the half bath, including an old toilet. Said it was retro. Kept it all, even tho the toilet has seen better days.

If it was a good, respectful tenant, I would not have charged anything.

Not so good, then 50%.

WNH

Especially for the kitchen. Consider the new Lifeproof LVP at Home Depot.

Also has a much better wear layer. But this one really is waterproof. Water really can't get through the click-lock seams. Like with some.

For kitchens and baths, we put a bead of silicone under the quarter round. So even if a toilet overflows. You can't get that smelly water under the LVP. Which otherwise would not dry out any time soon. Since it does not get any airflow.

My train of thought:

1) Do I have before and after photo's of the kitchen floor? I always take pictures and have a friend (Fireman, Policeman, Attorney, Contractor or realtor CONFIRM the condition of new flooring, walls, blinds, appliances, etc. Without Pictures and Proof, charging a tenant is a moot point.

2) Can it easily be repaired, OR DO I HAVE TO REPLACE IT ALL?

In one case I had NEW Ceramic tile in the kitchen, dinning are and entry hallway. All the same tiles. I had extra tiles in the locked Storage shed. The tenant used my extra tile to put on the dirt around the garden, breaking my extras.

3) When the tenant was having me over for the inspection, he covered the broken tile area in the kitchen with full moving boxes.

So when I found the broke tiles and my extra's were gone, I had no choice but to assess the damage. I had to determine if the Affected Area could be fixed, without making it look bad so it would effect my ability to rent the house quickly. Rent was $2,500 a month, or $83 per day.

I requested the tenant meet me back at the rental, so we could discuss the damage, cost and me cutting he his deposit check.

He showed up, A school professor. He also showed me his Universal International Law Degree. If he didn't get his full deposit, he would sue.

So instead of trying to work with him. I wanted to give him samples of the tiles and have him, his wife and two kids go to the local tile store and find old stock of he same design. If they could find it and replace the tiles, I would do the installation for free.

But not after this attitude. So instead I presented him an estimate to have a tile company remove the old time and replace it in the Kitchen, Dinning and entry way..

Tenant wanted his full deposit or he would sue.

I wanted to have him pick up $100 in replacement tile, if he could it.

His attitude lead to my estimate from a tile contractor $7,800 to remove and replace all of the tile. Plus the loss of 1 months rent while that was being done. A total of $10,000.

So we had already voted and since we were going to replace it anyway, we are not going to charge for this - DH feels the two weeks extra time is payment enough for him.

But we will do what Zero and Still Learning suggested: write it up at no charge. Just so it's on the record.

I've found that sometimes you need these details not for THIS tenant, but possibly the NEXT.

Would you have charged if they smashed all the windows in the house that you had already decided to replace?

Same logic applies....

Do what you want, but I would charge: full cost for labor and materials. No prorating, no depreciation. For the same reason I'd charge for the windows, even if they were 30+ years old. Depreciation is a TAX concept that has no bearing on reality. Properly cared for, most floors will last decades. I've seen some 1970s vinyl on houses that looks just as gruesomely ugly as the day it was installed, but still in pristine condition. Tell me there's no value in that. It's now well over 50 years old.

You had the option to change your mind on replacing the floor when they moved in. The damage they caused robbed you of that right to change your mind about it.

Sid, "The damage they caused robbed you of that right to change your mind about it." That was my point to DH, but he says the extra time at the end of lease is major - that they COULD keep possession of the place until the end and by leaving early it gives him breathing room.

But they are not leaving early to give him breathing room - that's just their schedule and we got lucky it benefits us.

He also said that because we had already decided to replace it, the damage doesn't matter.

BUT I think that the placement of the damage matters: we COULD have just layered over the old stuff with new (we wouldn't have, but we COULD have if we had to.)

Now the old stuff MUST be removed to prevent the hole telegraphing through the new. So more work by far: removing, hauling, etc.

Sid, "The damage they caused robbed you of that right to change your mind about it." That was my point to DH, but he says the extra time at the end of lease is major - that they COULD keep possession of the place until the end and by leaving early it gives him breathing room.

But they are not leaving early to give him breathing room - that's just their schedule and we got lucky it benefits us.

He also said that because we had already decided to replace it, the damage doesn't matter.

BUT I think that the placement of the damage matters: we COULD have just layered over the old stuff with new (we wouldn't have, but we COULD have if we had to.)

Now the old stuff MUST be removed to prevent the hole telegraphing through the new. So more work by far: removing, hauling, etc.

Ken, my husband and I are equal partners, all the way, since the beginning. (BTW, did you know I'm female?) We both have our functions within the business:

By talent, I'm the books & records person, and sometimes I am the decider on design stuff if it's purely form not function.

He's the engineer, and in general is nicer to strangers than I am, so by skill set he's the handyman and contractor interface.

Works for us.

Are floors supposed to exist in your area?

If the answer is yes, are they supposed to be damaged?

WMH, why do you have to remove the old flooring first?

As I did not have luck with the Allure glue strips I can't be sure, but why couldn't you just fill the gap where the hole is and lay over it?

Even if it was a full glue as long as the old floor was solid I don't see why the need to remove it exists.

Unless it is a height concern, but you won't gain that much with old vinyl being removed and sometimes it is a pain to get it all smoothed out.