They have been having trouble with one of their children (smoking cigarettes), and there are four or five burns in one of the carpeted rooms. I imagine the whole carpet will have to be replaced when they move out. I'm assuming we can keep their security deposit for this. Has anyone else had this happen in their rental?
2007-07-10 08:07:40 · 9 answers · asked by Geronimo5 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Previous answers: WRONG! Burns can often be patched without replacing carpet for the room they occurred in. Check with your carpet cleaner or installer. If your lease did not specify 'no smoking in the unit,' you may not be able to replace due to odors, if that's an issue. Even if you did have to replace the whole thing, you would prorate the cost over the life of the carpet divided by avg life (8-10 years) minus 2 years occupied (ex: $1000/10 = $100/yr. - 2 yrs occupied = $200, their share = $800) Good luck.
2007-07-10 08:40:57 · answer #1 · answered by melldiva 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cigarette burns (or any burns, for that matter) are not considered normal wear and tear on carpeting. You are entitled to charge the tenants (upon vacating the premises) for replacement. However, don't expect to be able to replace ALL the carpeting involved in the unit. If the burns are limited to one room only, that is the room you are entitled to replace and be reimbursed for.
If the cost of the replacement exceeds the security deposit, you are entitled to ask for (and go to court over) the full cost of the carpeting replacement for the room involved.
2007-07-10 08:15:16 · answer #2 · answered by acermill 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes, you should be able to keep the security deposit for the repairs. In my case the tenants took ALL the carpet out of the home....security deposit not even close to covering it. So just be glad they left the carpet LOL
2007-07-10 10:38:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have not had this experience, but cigarette burns in carpet is not considered "normal wear and tear", or everyday usage. You should be able to keep the security deposit, and if you do a walk-through upon their departure, you should be able to make them pay for the actual damage in addition.
2007-07-10 08:11:56 · answer #4 · answered by Linda V 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can replace the carpet just because they smoked. The smell does not wash out and it not normal and will make it hard to rent out because of the stench after they move.
2007-07-10 08:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by Elsa D 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're getting off easy. I once had a rental unit in which the tenants kept dogs inside -- all the time. I had to completely gut the place; it cost me thousands of dollars to fix it. Since the tenants were evicted for nonpayment of rent, I wound up eating almost all of the cost. In your case, the burns might be repairable; check with vendors for advice. (I gave a discount to non-smokers.)
2007-07-10 08:13:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unless specified in the lease - that there will be no smoking in the house - you'll probably have to eat the cost of new carpet. Smoking tobacco - while gross and disgusting - is legal in the US so there may be nothing you can do.
2007-07-10 08:16:20 · answer #7 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
any damage not due to NORMAL wear and tear can be deducted.
This would include cigarette burns in the carpet.
2007-07-10 08:11:10 · answer #8 · answered by James L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, if people damage carpeting than they should be liable to replace or have their security held in liu of damages. let this be a lesson. how easily it can reuined and how often u have to replace it. invest in plywood floors, this way its less costly to replace.
2007-07-10 08:27:02 · answer #9 · answered by spadezgurl22 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋