Carpet Replacement

[Loran]

I and my friend rented a condo. I was there for about a ear and a half and he was there for a little over three years. The landlord wants us to pay for cleaning of the carpets, but I thought in California you had to replace the carpets if the tenants were there for over two years? Anything we can do?

[Deasach]

Hi George,

Thanks for the question.  This is a tough one.  As far as i know, the tenant must leave the property in the same condition you found it.  If the carpet was cleaned and presentable when you moved in, it should be left the same way. It's of course disputable.  Do you have photos? Did the landlord take photos of the property? In the California tenant handbook, it states that when security deposits are being considered for carpet repairs/damages that, " normal wear and tear to cerpets, drapes or other furshingings cannon be charged against a tenant's security deposit. Normal wear and tear includes simple wearing down of carpet and dreapes because of normal use or aging, and includes moderate dirt or spotting.  In contrast, large rips or indeliable stains justify a deduction from the tenant's security deposit for repairing the carpet or drapes, or replacing them if that is reasonably necessary."  So it all depends how the carpet looks now.

To get further clarification you can contact the department of consumer affairs at 213-974-1452.

Take care.