Apartment is around 950 sq feet. I did leave stains on the carpet. I heard that my landlord has a policy of replacing the carpet after about 5 years and 5 years have passed since the carpet was replaced.
2007-06-21 02:08:16 · 8 answers · asked by ponya 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Get an estimate for the stain from somebody else. Then ask the landlord if you can have them do the work instead.
2007-06-21 02:15:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Regardless whether the landlord had plans to replace the carpet, it is your responsibility as a tenant to either clean the stains or pay a fee for the landlord to do so. Think of it like this: many local governments have a law stating that landlords must repaint a domicile every time renters move out. Now, if you moved out leaving the white walls spraypainted with all sorts of gang symbols, the landlord would not be happy, even if he is planning to repaint the walls. It shows that the tenant did not have respect for the landlord's property.
If you think you are being overcharged, try talking to a lawyer who handles these types of cases. Be wary though, you just may end up paying more for the lawyer than you would by just paying off the landlord.
2007-06-21 02:21:02 · answer #2 · answered by joe m 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he has a right to charge u for the cost of a replacement carpet. before u moved out your should have a done a walk through inspection with ur landlord so he could point out what problems that might result in ur loss of security. this way if replacing the carpet was an issue u would've had an opportunity to get 3 separate estimates for the cost and negotiate from there. now that you have left, its up to you to prove u didn't do this excessive stains. without pictures it will be hard to prove your case. whenever you move out always take pictures so that u have documented proof.
2007-06-21 02:28:35 · answer #3 · answered by spadezgurl22 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you don't pay for it, then the Landlord could take you to Tenant/Landlord court and try to collect his monies owed.
You say that you "heard" that the Landlord has a policy of changing the carpet after 5 years. You would need to read the "lease" in entirety. Landlords usually just wash the carpets, not replace them unless they are really damaged or stains do not come out with regular cleaning.
Question: Did you give a security deposit when you moved in? Did the Landlord give you the security deposit back?
If you did give a security deposit and you got it back to it's entirety; then it is to be "assumed" that you gave the apartment back in "good condition".
If you did get back your security deposit, you should write a letter to your landlord certified and tell him that you aren't going to pay for this expense since you did receive your security back and you left the apartment in "good condition".
If you didn't get your security deposit back, then the landlord could keep it for this expense. If you didn't leave enough security deposit to cover for this expense and you didn't leave the apartment in good condition, then you just have to give him the "remaining balance" of the debt.
Either way you go, good luck.
2007-06-21 02:23:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you left stains which the landlord finds impossible to remove, he is entitled to replace the carpet at your expense.
$500 is not excessive to replace a room or two of carpeting. You are only allowed what is considered 'normal wear and tear' on carpet. Stains do not fall into that category. Consider it a lesson for your next rental. When you damage something, you get to pay for it.
2007-06-21 02:16:19 · answer #5 · answered by acermill 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
assuming this is USA, few things did the landlord fix the carpet and bill you for the fix, or did they just figure carpet stains = 500? if the latter then i do not believe legit
ask for receipts of the repairs? if no receipts may want to consider suit in small claims
second part: they can only charge you the value of the carpet at the time of damage plus reasonable repaIRS, now most courts depreciate carpet on the irs guidelines 5 to 7 years, so 5 year old carpet would not be worth much at all
2007-06-21 02:16:01 · answer #6 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Is he billing you or holding it out of your security deposit? I would first ask to see a receipt. If you are not satisfied with the receipt and feel you shouldn't have to pay it then let him take you to court. It will go to small claims, or magistrate, court. There you will have the chance to argue your case. Call a few carpet cleaning places and ask how much they charge to clean an apartment that is 950 sq. feet and get their estimates in writing. That way, if it's lower than the $500, you can show the judge. You might have to pay something but the judge might charge you less than the $500 if you can prove it could have been cleaned for less.
2007-06-21 02:21:10 · answer #7 · answered by angela 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Read your lease. If you were provided with a list of replacement costs, or if it was in your lease, you are out of luck. YOu should have taken pictures when you moved out, but if you didn't, I would consider this a lesson learned. Take pictures, and read EVERYTHING.
2007-06-21 02:15:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋