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How much can my landlord take out of deposit for carpeting a small family room/dining room and a bedroom?

09 Mar 2010

9 Mar, 2010  small bathroom fixtures


I lived there for 3.5 years. In August we found a great new place and had to take it immediately. I paid rent for both my new house and the old condo in August because I wanted to do the right thing and give her 30 days notice. I also wanted to make sure the place was spotless so I could get my deposit back.

The entire condo is in much, much better condition than when I moved in. I had the 40 year old cabinets painted white by a professional, with my landlord’s permission. I replaced the horrible spider webbed and dingy garden with a pretty bench and plant stand with brand new plants at her request, I left all of that when I moved, it looks great. I replaced the bathroom fixtures that were from the 80′s with new brushed nickel fixtures. This was all at my own expense. She now says it will cost her at least $3,000 to get the place ready to rent. I think she just wants to keep my money because I found out that there were termites and a bad water heater right when I was moving out and she doesn’t have the money to give me. The termite inspector cleared the place in June. I still have that receipt.

I am so mad right now. I dealt with all kinds of crap with this rental… a hole in the ceiling for 3 months after a pipe burst and she was "too busy" to get it patched by her handyman husband. A heater that had to be turned off at the circut breaker because the thermostat was broken. Certain nasty bugs that infested the areas outside, so we couldn’t even go outside at night. You wouldn’t believe the MOLD. (That was the biggest part of why we moved…my daughter kept getting very ill with asthma from the mold.) The list goes on and on.

So the carpet is the only issue that I take responsibility for. There are stains caused by us. It needs to be replaced in the family/dining room and the master bedroom. I think a total of maybe 450-500 sq. feet, if that. (the entire condo is 860 sq. ft. with stairs) The carpet was already at least 1-2 years old and not in great shape when we moved in.

the carpet is replaced pretty much everytime a new tenant moves in an apartment. She would have been doing that regardless. You should consult a lawyer cause she is taking advantage of you.

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4 Responses

  1. Stella M

    2010 Mar 09 1

    the carpet is replaced pretty much everytime a new tenant moves in an apartment. She would have been doing that regardless. You should consult a lawyer cause she is taking advantage of you.
    References :

  2. phylthequilter

    2010 Mar 09 2

    Security deposits are not intended for normal wear and tear. Do you know for sure the stains won’t come out? If the carpet is about 5 years old it probably needs replacing anyway. The landlord should be keeping a fund for repairs and replacements instead of spending all the rent money. If you call the local bar association, they can set you up with a lawyer who will listen to your problem for a very low price. If he/she thinks you have a case, then you can decide whether it is worth hiring the lawyer or not.
    References :

  3. vlvtnrbt

    2010 Mar 09 3

    The landlord needs to have proof of what the carpeting cost and how he amortized the depreciation. Typical period would be for 5 years. He takes a tax deduction each year for a portion of the money spent on capital improvements . As an example If they claim they spent
    $2000.00 3 years ago the most they could claim the carpet is worth would be $800.00. We don’t want to replace carpets after each tenant
    so we don’t rent to people like the 1st poster, who like to spend my money for me.
    References :
    Landlord

  4. thevoice@voicedup.com

    2010 Mar 09 4

    If the carpet was destroyed by you then you would be responsible for the cost of the new carpet not the whole deposit.

    -Real Estate Management
    References :


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