As a renter, you have certain responsibilities to take care of the vacation property during your stay. Owners rely on rental income to maintain their properties, so any damages or excessive messes can result in costly repairs that cut into their profits. To protect themselves, owners will typically collect security deposits and outline damage policies with associated fees.
It’s important to understand the potential consequences and costs of disrespecting or mistreating a rental property. This guide explains common damage fees, how security deposits work, and steps you can take to avoid surprises or disputes at the end of your stay.
Common Rental Property Damages
While normal wear-and-tear from occupancy is expected, owners can charge for any damages beyond that which were caused by renter negligence, abuse, or rule violations. Some of the most frequent rental property damages include:
- Stains or damage to furniture, carpets, flooring, walls, countertops, etc.
- Breaks, cracks, chips, or holes in fixtures, windows, doors, tile, etc.
- Excessive dirt, grime, trash, odors, or pest issues requiring extra cleaning
- Missing, broken, or abused appliances, electronics, decor items, etc.
- Water damage or moisture issues caused by overflowing tubs, toilet incidents, spills
- Damage to landscaping, outdoor amenities like grills or furniture, pools, etc.
- Evidence of excessive foot traffic, smoke/cooking residue that needs remediation
- Lost, unreturned, damaged, or deactivated keys, keycards, remotes, etc.
- Pet stains, damage, or odors in non-pet-friendly properties
- Damage from unauthorized parties, events, or over-occupancy situations
Property managers and owners have set damage repair costs based on estimates from contractors and suppliers. Common damage fees can range from $50 for a burned countertop to $1,000+ for terrible odors or stains requiring professional remediation services.
The condition the property was left in, extent of damage, and potential lost rental income all factor into the total fee calculations.
How Security Deposits Work
To help offset costs if damages occur, owners will typically collect a security deposit from renters at the time of booking or prior to check-in. This is meant to serve as a reserve fund to deduct any necessary repair expenses from after your stay.
Standard security deposits for vacation rentals can range from $200 to over $1,000 depending on factors like:
- Overall rental rate and duration of stay
- Size and value of the rental property
- If the rental allows pets or special situations
- How new and updated the furnishings/decor is
- Potential costs if the entire home required deep cleaning or remediation
Owners must provide clear documentation on how security deposits will be handled, refunded, and the acceptable reasons for claiming portions of the deposit. This is usually outlined in the rental contract you acknowledge at booking.
After your stay, the property will be inspected by the owner or management company. If no issues are found beyond normal cleaning needs, the full security deposit should be refunded within the stated timeline, typically 7-30 days.
However, if damages are identified that go beyond normal use, expect to have fees deducted from the deposit to cover repairs and excessive cleaning needs.
Owners must provide an itemized accounting of how any claimed deposit amounts will be used for repairs and cleaning. You can dispute claims if the damages seem excessive compared to the actual condition left behind.
Examples of Common Damage Fees
To give you a sense of potential costs, here are some examples of common damage fees and situations that incur them:
- $75 Fee: Light damage like small stains, scuffs, chips, or cracks from accidents
- $150 Fee: Badly stained towels, linens, or furniture cushions needing replacement
- $250 Fee: Damage to kitchen that needs refinishing like cabinet faces, counters, etc.
- $350 Fee: Single window, door, fixture, or piece of furniture that needs full replacement
- $500+ Fees: Large stains or damage requiring professional cleaning or floor/carpet replacement
- $1000+ Fees: Major damages requiring professional contractors for repair work
In addition, expect loss-of-use fees equal to the daily rental rate for the number of days a property is taken off the market for extensive repairs and cleaning.
Pet fees ($100-$500+) and excessive cleaning fees ($150-$500+) for out-of-control messes are also commonly charged above normal cleaning costs.
The best policy is always to leave the rental in the same great condition you received it. Any damages should be immediately reported to the owner or property manager to mitigate potential costs.
Avoiding Rental Damage Disputes
To prevent rental damages and avoid paying extra fees, follow these best practices:
- Review all property rules about restricted activities before your stay
- Don’t engage in any unauthorized parties or events at the rental
- Keep a maximum occupancy within limits to prevent wear-and-tear
- Use furniture, fixtures, and appliances only for their intended purposes
- Clean up any spills, stains, or accidents immediately to prevent setting
- Keep the rental tidy – don’t allow dirt, trash, or odors to accumulate
- Report any pre-existing damage immediately upon check-in
- Request a check-out walkthrough if available to review the condition
- Take photos & video before leaving to document how you left the property
Should any disagreements about fees arise, provide documentation like time-stamped photos to dispute claims. Also research average repair costs in the area to gauge if charges seem inflated.
Most vacation rental owners understand reasonable wear-and-tear and accidents happen. However, responsible renters should be prepared to face financial consequences if their actions cause significant property damage beyond acceptable use.
Following policies, cleaning up after yourselves, and exercising reasonable care is the best way to ensure you receive your full security deposit refund after an amazing vacation rental stay. Be respectful guests and avoid any unpleasant surprises regarding damage fees.
