I have lived in an apartment for over three years, and the carpet was put in two years before I moved in. The landlord is now trying to charge me for the entire carpet!!!
2006-09-22 08:45:47 · 17 answers · asked by clueless 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
From past experience, the carpet is prone to normal wear & tear. For example, if you were to get a steam cleaner and clean the carpet and it looked almost as good as when you moved in... that's considered normal wear & tear. If the carpet is totally trashed where cleaning won't resore it at all.. then you could be liable & have to replace it.
2006-09-22 08:50:06 · answer #1 · answered by atomictulip 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know, the carpet must be depreciated for the two years and then for normal wear and tear. Let's say a carpet cost $1000 and it lasts ten years and you ruined it. You would pay $500 because it should last five more years. You want the actual bill for the carpet replacement so you know that that landlord didn't pocket your money.
Each court of law may have its own way of calculating costs. You should mention that the carpet was five years old in any correspondence with the landlord. You can also pull court cases relating to tenant disputes to see how your particular court views things to see if you would have a chance in court.
2006-09-22 08:56:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, Carpet is not depreciable as it is not a capital improvement.
Most landlords generally use the builders/basic grade carpet and pad (cheap stuff that's below 22 oz in weight). Those carpets aren't expected to last more than 3-5 years with good care and a decent quality padding.
If the carpet is damaged due to the tenants carelessness and negeligence i.e. burn marks, large permanent stains etc. while majority of the carpet in the living space is in fairly good condition than he may be able to hold the tenant responsible for replacement of the carpet in that particular room.
However, if its 5 years old as you stated it probably is time to replace ithe carpet. Even with minor damage I doubt if your landlord would have a case. I'm a landlord myself and I generally replace a capet about every 5 years. Your landlord just sounds like a jerk.
2006-09-22 09:41:56 · answer #3 · answered by Charles F 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I am a landlord. My husband is in the carpet business. The average life expectancy of carpet in a "family" home is 10 years. We replace the carpet in our rental houses every 3 to 5 years as needed. I would take this one to small claims court. Be sure and tell the Judge you have yet to see a receipt for the cost of the carpet in question. The reason I mention the cost of the current carpet is because you don't want the carpet to be replaced with a more expensive carpet at your expense. Good luck,hold your ground.
2006-09-22 08:55:20 · answer #4 · answered by thirsty mind 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why would you think for a minute that you could damage the carpet and not pay for it? The law says you must return the premesis in the condition in which it was received less normal wear and tear. If you damage the carpet that's not normal and you should pay for it. Next time you should be more careful. If this was your investment then you would want your renter to pay for the carpet they damaged.
2015-08-04 16:02:20 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 9⤋
Carpet Lifespan
2016-11-15 01:02:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lifespan Of Carpet
2017-01-02 11:40:07 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ve lived in my apartment for 16 years. I had the landlord s son and daughter-in-law do an initial inspection, to see what needed to be fixed. They weren t really sure what they were doing.
We discussed the carpet as its over 18 years old, and looking tired. Quite dirty but no rips. He said that maybe they would put a new carpet in, so I asked if I even needed to vacuum and he said "no".
I ve just received the security deposit, minus the cost to clean the the carpet! No receipt for the work done, as they they should have as the charge was over $125.00. When I challenged them they say the carpets fine in most places if it s cleaned. That should not be my responsibility, so I m going to fight them on this one.
I think they just want to charge me for something as they have to do so much after 16 years.
2015-09-25 12:27:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is true BS! A carpet should last about 10 yrs. If you did ruin the carpet then it is your responsibility. I would speak to an atty or your local renters rights organization or your local gov't because it sounds like he's trying to jack you!
2006-09-22 11:10:45 · answer #9 · answered by ready2go67 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The carpet should be depreciated by a certain percentage each year. You are only responsible for it if you did it some unusual damage. Otherwise the law says that your rent pays for normal wear and tear on the apartment and permanent fixtures. ask yourself if you (or your pets) ruined the carpet. If you did then you are responsible for it. If you didn't then your not. Talk to a lawyer. If you can prove that he is trying to rip you off you can collect damages.
2006-09-22 09:04:19 · answer #10 · answered by irartist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋