Can a landlord charge you for nail holes?

Hanging pictures is what people do in homes. In most states, the small holes that leaves behind are the textbook example of normal wear and tear — not damage you owe for.

Last updated August 2026

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Small holes are ordinarily wear and tear

A reasonable number of small nail or pin holes, in the places a person would naturally hang art, are generally treated as an ordinary incident of occupancy. They are filled during the routine repainting that happens between tenants anyway, at negligible marginal cost.

What changes the analysis is scale and severity: dozens of holes, large anchor holes from heavy shelving or wall-mounted televisions, holes that cracked or crumbled the drywall, or holes accompanied by unapproved mounting hardware left in place.

The double-charge to watch for

Landlords sometimes bill patching and a full repaint for the same wall. If the wall was going to be repainted anyway — because the paint had reached the end of its useful life — the incremental cost of filling a few small holes is close to zero. Being charged a substantial separate 'wall repair' fee on top of a repainting charge is worth questioning line by line.

Your state sets the actual rule

Deadlines, penalties and itemization requirements differ everywhere. Open your state for the statute, the exact deadline, and what the penalty is for missing it.

Texas · 30 days California · 21 days Florida · 30 days New York · 14 days Illinois · 45 days Massachusetts · 30 days All 50 states + DC

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Common questions

How many nail holes is too many?

There is no statutory number. Courts look at whether the quantity and size are consistent with ordinary residential use. A dozen small picture hooks across an apartment reads very differently from forty holes in one wall or a row of masonry anchors.

I mounted a TV on the wall. Am I liable for those holes?

Large anchor holes are a stronger case for the landlord than picture hooks, particularly if the mounting cracked the drywall or was not permitted by your lease. Patching those properly is real work. The charge should still reflect the actual repair, not a whole-wall replacement.

Should I patch the holes myself before moving out?

If you can do it neatly, it removes the argument entirely. Done badly — visible lumps, wrong color, cracked edges — it can cost more to fix than it saved. Either way, photograph the walls when you finish.

General legal information, not legal advice. The wear-and-tear standard is applied fact by fact and varies by state and court; nothing here predicts an outcome in your situation. For advice about your specific facts, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

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Keep reading

Normal wear and tear vs. damage Can a landlord charge you for cleaning?Can a landlord charge you for carpet replacement?Can a landlord charge you for painting?

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