California Law Landlord Replace Carpet

Repainting the unit and replacing the carpet after nearly 12 years is a very small.

California law landlord replace carpet.

It s your right to complain and the landlord should lay new carpet as necessary but landlords are obligated to replace your cruddy carpet only under specific circumstances. State laws do not directly require landlords to replace or repair carpets. Additionally tenants cannot be held responsible for defects in the carpet that existed before they moved in. Replacing carpet makes a place feel fresh and new but it is a large expense that many landlords put off as long as possible.

California law does not specify when landlords must replace carpeting in rental units. And suggests things that both the landlord and tenant can do to make the relationship a good one. The cost of replacing the carpet after 10 years falls to the landlord. It does clarify that worn or aged but otherwise undamaged carpet does not affect a property s habitability.

Landlords may only be required to repair or replace carpets if required in the lease or if the current state of the carpets render the unit unlivable. Many states allow a landlord to deduct legally a tenant s security deposit to replace the rental carpet by the time the tenant decides to move out. In california a lease exists whenever there is an oral or written agreement to exchange rent for inhabiting a property. Bear in mind though that the carpet charges must be reasonable and that as a tenant you cannot be held responsible for any damages made to the carpet that were already present when you first moved in.

If your landlord does take you to conciliation court or withholds your security deposit to cover the cost of carpet replacement then you should bring to court photos of the carpet before and. When the landlord is required to repair replace. Under california landlord tenant guidelines a carpet s useful life is eight to 10 years. 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.