Damaged Carpet In Rental

If the carpet has been in place for 5 years or longer it s the landlord s responsibility to replace it since that is the length of the carpet s useful life.

Damaged carpet in rental.

Carpet damage examples include serious and large stains rips or burns. Landlords are responsible for repairing and maintaining the property so that it is in a reasonable state of repair considering the age of the property the amount of rent being paid and the prospective life of the property. It does not matter what a new carpet would cost. If a property investor installs brand new carpet in february of 2016 and these carpets were damaged when the tenants vacated 12 months later the owner could claim 90 of the total cost of the replacement of the damaged carpet.

When a tenant causes damage beyond normal use a landlord has cause to charge the tenant for the damages. Landlords need to document the pet urine somehow for proof of the damage. How to document pet urine in a rental property. After 10 years of living in a rental property normal wear and tear combines with age to more than justify new paint and.

For example if the carpet had a 10 year life expectancy but due to tenant damage had to be replaced after just seven years the tenant is only responsible for the useful life of the carpet that has been lost. Tenants can t be held responsible for normal wear and tear. This may include damages inflicted by the tenants their guests or pets. Unless the carpet is cleaned by a professional there will be damage from pet urine.

Matted carpet or furniture impressions are wear and tear. If the carpet has light sun damage or is showing signs of wear that is normal wear and tear and the landlord cannot blame the tenant. After all a stain may not show up in a photo. If the carpet in a rental unit is damaged and must be replaced the damage the tenant is responsible for must be prorated appropriately.

Normal wear and tear vs damaged carpet. Carpet that exceeds 10 years in age no longer has any depreciation left and therefore a claim may not legally be awarded. If there are no large stains tears or rips and the carpet simply needs to be cleaned that falls under normal wear and tear. A rental property must always be fit to live in.

Landlords may be puzzled at how to document pet urine in their rental property. Burned or stained carpeting is damage.