California Rental Laws Carpet Replacement

Under california landlord tenant guidelines a carpet s useful life.

California rental laws carpet replacement. Civil code 1950 5 b 2. Most disputes over security deposits come down to what constitutes normal wear and tear. For example suppose a tenant has damaged beyond repair an eight year old carpet that had a life expectancy of ten years and that a replacement carpet of similar quality would cost 1 000. The landlord could properly charge only 200 for the two years worth of life use that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged the carpet.

California law does not specify when landlords must replace carpeting in rental units. It does clarify that worn or aged but otherwise undamaged carpet does not affect a property s habitability. Nails from carpet tack strips can pierce a bare foot. Even if no damage to the rental property carpet has occurred age and normal wear eventually triggers the need for replacement.

According to state laws civil code 1941 1 and 1941 3 at minimum every rental must have. A landlord must replace carpet that poses these types of safety hazards. A this section applies to security for a rental agreement for residential property that is used as the dwelling of the tenant. If the tenant vacates the apartment in any other condition the landlord can use a portion of the tenant s security deposit to cover the costs associated with having the rental unit cleaned.

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. When a tenant moves out of a unit the landlord may deduct from a tenant s security deposit to repair damage to the premises that is caused by the tenant but only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. Department of housing and urban development 451 7th street s w washington dc 20410 telephone. Carpet that is ripped or torn can cause you to fall and injure yourself.

California tenant rights to livable premises. Landlords are obligated to make rental property safe and habitable.