Nicotine - Normal Wear & Tear or Damage

[Jeremy Anhalt]

I have a tenant moving out after residing in the apartment for 5 years. She is a heavy smoker and the nicotine is dripping off the blinds. Needless to say, all walls and ceilings will need to be primed and painted. Should this be considered normal wear and tear or can some of the cost be deducted from the deposit? I am in Wisconsin.

[Kathy Johnson]

In Wisconsin, the tenant is expected to leave the rental at about the same level of cleanliness that they received it in.  This is documented even on some tenant sites so you should be safe charging the tenants deposit for the cleaning required to return the blinds and other areas that are dripping with uncleaned residues from her activity.  Best to take photos of the drippy mess before you clean in case she protests the charge.

Note: We have rentals in Wisconsin also.