
Re-defining fair wear and tear in Lettings - Ep. 2400
Nov 27, 2025
Siân Hemming Metcalfe, the Operations Director at Inventory Base, advocates for a rethink on fair wear and tear in the rental market as modern living changes norms. She discusses how hybrid working affects property use, leading to increased wear on items like carpets and walls. Siân argues that current definitions no longer serve landlords or tenants fairly, prompting a need for updated guidance and education. She emphasizes the importance of revising policies to reflect these shifts and ensures clarity for all parties involved.
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Modern Living Changes Property Use
- More tenants now live and work in their rental homes, which increases everyday use and wear.
- Siân Hemming Metcalfe argues this structural shift makes traditional fair wear and tear definitions outdated.
Historic Rules May No Longer Fit
- Fair wear and tear originates centuries ago and was formalised around modern deposit law in 2007.
- Siân says those historic rules haven't been reconsidered for post-COVID living patterns.
Cream Carpet Example
- Siân uses a cream carpet example: working from home increases cleaning frequency and visible wear.
- The example illustrates how regular home use accelerates expected maintenance costs.
