CA Rental Laws regarding replacement of carpeting?

Question

I've lived in my apartment for over 8 years now, and I plan on living here for at least 2 more years. When I moved in, the carpet was used, but in good condition. Now, after 8 years, there are some areas that have been damaged by the cat, and even though the rest of the apartment is so-so, isn't there a time limit that a landlord has to replace carpet? After ten years, wouldn't it be obvious that the carpeting would have to be completely replaced at the landlord's expense?

Answer 1

CA law only states that a landlord must keep your apartment habitable, not a length of time they must replace carpeting while you are still living in the apartment.  I could find nothing in CA law that states that when leaving an apartment after an extended length of time that either the tenant OR the landlord has to pay to replace it.  Common sense, though, is on the side of the tenant.  As you suggested, I googled "average carpet life" and found that 5-10 years is what is normally quoted (unlike the "landlord" above, whose other answers on other questions are quite questionable).  nowhere could I find anyone credible claiming that average carpet life is 20 years!!!

Answer 2

you aren't wanting to take responsability for the damage  your cat caused?  

They recommend carpet changes based on a range of time...that is to ensure future sales.  Yes, the carpet could be replaced at 7 to 10 years or so, but it certainly does not HAVE to.  You are responsible...stop looking for an excuse to not take responsability for what you ARE responsible for.   Take note...there are hundreds of thousands of houses that are old and even have the orriginal carpet in them....it is nothing more than a choice if a carpet is cleaned.

As for California Law...I don't know about it...I am in Canada.  I am telling you what is morally right.  You have the ability to Google or telephone the apropriate orffice for California Law...just like you Googled for carpet life spans!!!!

Answer 3

CA real estate law does not require that carpet be installed at all, let alone replaced due to tenant damage.

My carpets are over 7 years old, so I can attest that they should still be looking pretty close to new.    Carpet lasts about 30 years unless very cheap or very neglected.

He can replace the carpet, but that will come out of your deposit as your cat destroyed it.  Nothing "normal" would destroy it that fast.

Answer 4

Cat damage, even after 8 yrs is NOT normal wear and tear.  And no, there is no time limit.  The landlord doesnt even have to replace the carpet. He could tear it out and leave bare floor.  In this case, replacing the carpet would be at your expense, not his.  Your cat, your damage, your cost.  Average carpet life is 20 to 30 yrs.

Answer 5

The reason that you have not been quoted any California statutes is that NONE exist covering 'life of the carpet'.  Apparently your cat damaged the carpeting in your unit, and now you are looking for some sort of statute which would relieve you from paying for said damage.

That won't happen, since all your research about 'average life' is meaningless to the damages caused by the cat.  In a room which is RARELY used, but carpeted anyway, I'd venture that the life of that carpet could be up to fifty years, until it got so old, ugly, and out of date that shame forces replacement.

The reason that you will have to pay for damages caused is that carpet does not end its lifetime in the manner you suggest, but ends its lifetime when it is WORN OUT.  Cat damage isn't 'wear'.  It's damage.

Answer 6

Naturally, the landlord will not replace the carpet until AFTER you and your cat have moved out. No sense in throwing good money away since the cat may damage a new carpet.

As far as you being responsible for the cost to replace the carpet, California's Landlord Tenant booklet suggets this approach:

2. Carpets and drapes - "useful life" rule

Normal wear and tear to carpets, drapes and other furnishings cannot be charged against a tenant's security deposit.223 Normal wear and tear includes simple wearing down of carpet and drapes because of normal use or aging, and includes moderate dirt or spotting. In contrast, large rips or indelible stains justify a deduction from the tenant's security deposit for repairing the carpet or drapes, or replacing them if that is reasonably necessary.

One common method of calculating the deduction for replacement prorates the total cost of replacement so that the tenant pays only for the remaining useful life of the item that the tenant has damaged or destroyed. 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.

Now, this is not the "law", however it is suggested per the landlord/tenant booklet and if the case were to go to court, the judge would use the depreciation method when deciding the judgment.