Can my former landlord charge me for replacement of capet if they are upgrading?
Question Details: We just moved out of our apartment that I have been renting for 3 1/2 years. They sent a bill for the replacement of the carpet totaling over $500. I know that the complex is upgrading the flooring in all the units as a tenant moves out and putting in hardwood floors in the main areas of the dwelling and then replacing the carpet in the bedrooms. Can I be charged for this. I feel that I should mention that there was signs of damage to the carpet already when I moved in that were not seen until after the carpet fully dried from the cleaning. And can stains caused by kids be normal wear?
You may not be charged for normal "wear and tear" or for carpet replacement occasioned by normal wear and tear. Stains from children, however, are not necessarily normal wear and tear--for example, if your children used permanent market either directly on the carpet or on paper that bled onto the carpet, got paint on the carpet, or grease (such as from wheels or chains on bicycles or other vehicles), or urinated on the carpet, etc., that is not considered normal wear and tear and can result in charges.
The landlord may charge you an amount equal to the cost to replace damaged or ruined carpet with the equivalent, even if instead of actually replacing the carpet, he/she lays down tile, laminate, or wood flooring. So if you and/or your children caused damage beyond normal wear and tear necessitating replacement, and the cost of replacement would be $500, the landlord could charge you the $500 but apply that amount towards a $1,500 laminate flooring.
You may not be charged or held responsible for damage done by previous tenants, but only for damage done by you, your family, your guests, your pets, and any other members of your household (e.g. live-in boyfriend/girlfriend).
