California Rental Carpet Cleaning Law

Even if the landlord spent money deep cleaning the place whatever that means if you left it clean no deduction is permitted.

California rental carpet cleaning law. In disputes over security deposits courts have often considered basic carpet cleaning to be part of normal wear and tear. Because carpet cleaning is part of the overall turnover costs that is usually covered by the landlords. On the other hand the landlord needing to call in a professional cleaning crew because the tenant didn t clean and allowed bugs to take over the property would not be the landlord s responsibility. There is no legal reason to single out the.

In most cases landlords should not charge tenants for a standard carpet cleaning. According to california law landlords can only charge tenants for carpet and paint under certain conditions. Tenants are responsible for all damage they cause and any damage caused by their pets or guests. Check your local and state laws to be sure that there are no additional requirements.

Generally a professional cleaning company can clean an empty unit for 200 including shampooing the carpet. California law also permits a landlord to deduct for the repair of damage to the rental unit including carpet damage as long as the damage is beyond regular normal wear and tear which is permitted by law. California civil code 1950 5 allows landlords to use the security deposit to repair replace or restore personal property only if the rental agreement specifically authorizes this application. Requiring a tenant to pay for carpet cleaning in advance of moving also will not work any payments in excess of rent are considered security deposits atcp 134 02 and so withholding that money would also be considered a withholding from a security deposit and therefore illegal absent unusual damage.

Additionally a tenant may be charged for cleaning where the tenant has caused filth beyond ordinary use. California law does not specify when landlords must replace carpeting in rental units. The expenses of cleaning must also be reasonable. It does clarify that worn or aged but otherwise undamaged carpet does not affect a property s habitability.