Wear and Tear vs. Damage: How to Document the Difference

The short answer

Normal wear and tear is the gradual, expected aging of an item from ordinary use — faded paint, light carpet matting, small scuffs. Damage is a specific, often sudden physical harm beyond ordinary use — a burn, a stain, a tear, a hole, a crack, a break. Platforms reimburse damage, not wear and tear. The way you document the difference is what determines whether a claim is paid.

Wear and tear (usually not reimbursable)

1. Faded or lightly scuffed paint.

2. Minor carpet matting in walkways.

3. Loose hardware or hinges from normal use.

4. Small nicks on high-touch furniture edges.

5. General fading of linens or upholstery over time.

Damage (reimbursable with evidence)

1. Burns, scorch marks, or melted surfaces.

2. Stains that cleaning can't remove (wine, ink, pet).

3. Tears, rips, or punctures in upholstery, carpet, or screens.

4. Holes, dents, or cracks in walls, doors, tile, or countertops.

5. Broken fixtures, appliances, glass, or mirrors.

6. Water damage, and missing items or fixtures.

How to document damage so it pays

Pair every damage photo with a baseline photo of the same item in good condition — that's what converts 'this looks worn' into 'this was damaged during the stay.' Add a close-up that shows the damage clearly (a measuring tool helps establish scale), preserve timestamps and metadata, and attach the repair or replacement cost. For older items, apply depreciation so the amount is fair and credible.

Turnfolio's AI compares each checkout photo to your baseline and is tuned to flag genuine physical damage — not a moved chair, mess, or lighting change — then builds the before/after evidence and platform-specific claim text for you to review.