Blinds Deduction From Security Deposit: How to Calculate It
Use short useful-life math to estimate broken blinds, shades, and screens deductions from a security deposit.
Short answer
Blinds often have a short useful-life benchmark. A two-year-old blind on a three-year benchmark has only about one year of remaining value before damage share.
Worksheet preset: blinds deduction article
Source: HUD Appendix 5D sample life expectancy chart. HUD examples list shades, screens, and blinds at three years for family and elderly units.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
Blinds comparison
| Situation | Input | Concern | |---|---|---| | One broken blind | One-window replacement cost | Do not charge all windows | | Missing blinds | Affected-window cost | Confirm move-in inventory | | Old brittle slats | Age and condition note | May be ordinary wear |
How to model
Enter the affected blind or shade cost. If the landlord replaced every blind for matching, run a second scenario with only the damaged blinds so the difference is visible.
Worksheet preset: blinds deduction article
Source: HUD Appendix 5D sample life expectancy chart. HUD examples list shades, screens, and blinds at three years for family and elderly units.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
FAQ
What useful life does the calculator use?
The default is the HUD three-year benchmark for shades, screens, and blinds.
Can old blinds have zero remaining value?
Yes. If age equals or exceeds useful life, the remaining-life value calculates to zero.