Why it matters
What Betterment means for a landlord
Betterment is where landlords lose otherwise-valid deposit claims: an adjudicator will not award the price of a new carpet, sofa or paint job if the damaged item was already part-way through its life. The award is the proportionate cost of the loss, a five-year-old carpet with a ten-year life that is ruined is worth roughly half its replacement cost. Claiming realistically, with evidence of the item’s age and a fair apportionment, is far more likely to succeed than claiming the full new-for-old figure.
Worked example
How it plays out
A carpet cost £1,000 five years ago and was expected to last ten. The tenant ruins it with a large stain. A new carpet would cost £1,200, but the landlord can reasonably claim about half of the original value, £500, because the carpet was already half way through its life.
Common mistakes
Where landlords go wrong
- 01Claiming the full price of a new replacement.
- 02Not knowing when items were bought.
- 03Ignoring the condition of an item before the damage.
What to do
A short checklist
- Keep purchase dates for furnishings.
- Work out a fair share based on age and expected life.
- Explain the calculation in any deduction claim.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 16 September 2026. A guide to the rules in England, not legal advice: for a dispute or a possession claim, speak to a solicitor.
