Rental Security Deposit and furniture (tenant, house, period, landlord)

[princessN7]

I rented a furnished condo in south beach, miami, florida.
I was the first tenant to rent the place. I was there for 5 months. The landlord still has my security deposit.

The landlord has claimed that some of the couches and chairs that are made of faux leather, have light scratches.

Is that wear and tear? If not, then should the landlord replace the furniture items and charge me the entire furniture's cost?
or should the landlord charge me only the depreciation value of the furniture items for the period that I have leased it?

Thanks

[Litlove71]

You should received an itemized bill, in writing, stating charges. Have you?

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I would say that obvious scratches are not wear and tear. Do you have cats? I can't imagine what you would have been doing to scratch the new furniture. With normal care and usage, it should not get scratches on it.

[CarlitosBala]

Originally Posted by princessN7

The landlord has claimed that some of the couches and chairs that are made of faux leather, have light scratches.

Be honest with yourself now. If that was YOUR furniture, that you paid for, and a friend stayed at your house for a minimal amount of time and "scratched" it the way you did, would you be the least bit irritated?

Also realize that what looks like "normal wear and tear light scratches" to you, could look likethe grand canyon to the owner. Most of the times, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

I think if it was brand new when you got it, and after only 5 months its damaged, its gotta come out of your pocket.