Tenant Damaged Carpet California

California court cases where landlords and tenants disputed damages provide examples to what normal wear and tear is such as scuff marks on the wall small chips of paint from door frames tread.

Tenant damaged carpet california.

But when it comes to a carpet that is badly stained or damaged a landlord can charge a tenant for cleaning costs or even to replace the entire carpet if it s that badly damaged or stained and they can do it by withholding all or part of the security deposit. Expected life of carpet. Under california law unless the carpet is visibly damaged and that damage is not the result of normal wear and tear the landlord cannot hold the tenant responsible for the damage or the cost of replacement for the carpet. For example suppose a tenant has truly damaged a carpet beyond ordinary wear and tear hard to prove an eight year old carpet that had a life expectancy of five years would be worth nothing zero zip nada.

If an oral or written lease exists or if a landlord has previously accepted payment as rent a renter is granted rights under california landlord tenant law ca civil code 1940 1954 05 these include the right to livable housing a fair eviction process and more. The landlord could properly charge only 200 for the two years worth of life use that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged the carpet. A tenant who has lived in the. Under california landlord tenant guidelines a carpet s useful life is eight to 10 years.

Sometimes landlords will discover tenant abuse of the carpeting that is considered unusual damage. The landlord has to eat the replacement cost despite the damage beyond ordinary ware and tear. 10 years depreciation charge 1 000 10. Original cost of carpet.

For example suppose a tenant has damaged beyond repair an eight year old carpet that had a life expectancy of ten years and that a replacement carpet of similar quality would cost 1 000. The landlord should properly charge only 200 for the two years worth of life use that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged the carpet. 10 years 8 years 2 years. If the carpet in a rental property is excessively dirty or damaged the landlord can deduct the cost from the security deposit.

The cost of replacing the carpet after 10 years falls to the landlord. 100 per year age of carpet. Additionally tenants cannot be held responsible for defects in the carpet that existed before they moved in.