Are tenants responsible for re-caulking worn or damaged caulking?

[Frankie Parker]

To make the answers unbiased for either side, I would like to ask this question both as a tenant and landlord. Please be impartial in your answers and answer as if you were both the tenant and landlord as well.

Are tenants responsible for re-caulking worn or damaged caulking? Let's say my tenant has stayed in my rental property for 2+ years and the caulking around the house is breaking down, cracking/splitting, and some caulking in the bathroom has turned black.

1. Is the tenant responsible for re-caulking all areas where the caulking has broken down? (This caulking breaking down was due to time so I assume the tenant is not responsible correct?)

2. Is the tenant responsible for re-caulking the areas in the caulking in the bathroom that have turned black due to time and regular use? (not sure about this one)

3. Is the tenant responsible for re-caulking the areas in the caulking that have split or broken down due to foundation shifting? (I assume not, correct?)

Thank you!

[Jim K.]

@Frankie Parker

1. No, that's the LL.

2. No, that's the LL.

3. No, that's the LL.

Expecting a tenant to know the nozzle from the hook on a caulking gun is a recipe for rental disaster. The LL is supposed to be catching damage and degradation during inspections and either taking care of it personally or paying someone else to do it.