damaged kitchen cabinets in California

[Lisa D.]

I wrote into the lease contract and included pictures of the brand new pristine kitchen cabinets. Tenant moved in and immediately applied shelf paper with double sided tape, destroying the surfaces of 13 separate drawer bottom/cupboard bottom/shelves inside of the lower cabinets, as well as all shelves in the pantry from floor to ceiling. The glue will not come off without removing the veneer. Cabinets destroyed! She demanded that I return her full deposit as there is only typical wear and tear. I'm pretty sure this type of damage does not fall under wear and tear. To me, it seems like outright negligent damage. Am I wrong?

I have an estimate from a private contractor to refinish the pieces for $60 each, but he cannot do it while there are new tenants in the home. So, am I out of luck in terms of using the security deposit to pay for the damage?

[Colleen F.]

@Lisa D. so you mean that the veneer stain/finish will be damaged or the veneer (thin wood) will not adhere if you use a remover.  We were able to clean the veneer and do a finish touch up (not replace) veneer in a similar instance but not all adhesives are the same. You could pass on cost of supplies for restoring if you feel strongly about it but I doubt your $60 a draw would survive if she took it to court so I would not push that too much.   Tenants will not  take care of things as if they were their own. Assume the next tenants will do more.