The Age Factor Is Critical
Blinds have a useful life of roughly 5-7 years. Cheap horizontal blinds from a hardware store last even less. If the blinds were already old and yellowed when you moved in, the landlord cannot charge you for them simply because they were replaced after you left.
When Blind Charges Are Valid
- Slats are broken, bent, or missing from misuse (not normal use)
- Blinds are entirely missing and were present at move-in
- Cord mechanism broken from being yanked hard
- Blinds were new at move-in and clearly damaged beyond normal wear
When Blind Charges Are NOT Valid
- Blinds are faded or yellowed from sunlight exposure
- A few slats bent from normal use over multiple years
- Blinds are old and would have needed replacement regardless
- Charge includes brand-new blinds to replace old ones
Document at Move-In
Take photos of the blinds at move-in, noting any existing damage or fading. This is your baseline for any move-out dispute.
What You Can Be Charged
Even with a valid damage claim, the landlord must charge proportional replacement cost based on the remaining useful life of the blinds. Old blinds = minimal or no charge. Only brand-new blinds that were destroyed can result in a full replacement charge.