My landlordis trying to pin spots on a 20 year old carpet on me?

Question

my landord admitted that the carpet in the place I have lived in for a few years was installed in 1988. he stated that if a professional didn't get the carpet cleaned to his expectations he would make sure I pay for the replacement of brand new carpet in my place. he also never gave me a move in checklist and said he didn't based on my "character" at the time.

Answer 1

Fight Fight Fight!!!!!  I just ended a huge fight with a greedy landlord and won.  Although you should ALWAYS get an initial inspection report to validate your claims.  Some landlords probably purposely don't do it so they can get you now.  Go back through any old photographs (preferably dated if) to back up your claim.  Usuallly getting the carpet professionally cleaned is good enough anyway, just make sure you keep receipts.  If you take it to court it would have to be one really mean judge to make you pay for a few spots on a 20yo carpet.  Some landlords claims the money but then don't get the work done .... make sure if he does hit you that you get receipts of any work he's done.  And ring the company that's on the receipts as well.  I got faxed through a receipt and when I rang the guy to ask what he'd done, it was a heap of work that was nothing to do with me!  Good luck!

Answer 2

I too would fight this one...give the tenants tribunal a call and explain your problem...

If there is no inspection report from when you moved in he cannot prove you caused the marks on the carpet...hopefully if you give him the facts and any other relevant ones you learn from the tenants rights people the ratbag will back down and give you your money back...professional steam cleaning costs around $130 for a 3 bed house ...I bet thats a lot less than he is claiming for the carpet...

We once had an accident and stained a spot in the  lougeroom carpet and they tried to charge us  for replacing the carpet in the whole house.  

I am in Western Australia and we have a great Tenants Advice service which has a ton of info on their website...go there and see what you can find out.

Answer 3

1.BYE LAW HE MUST PROVIDE YOU WITH A CHECK LIST WHEN YOU MOVE IN.

2.SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A GOOD CASE FOR DISCRIMINATION OR ASSINATION OF CHARACTER YOU COULD HAVE HIM CHARGED WITH.

3.GIVE THE RENTAL BOND TRIBUNAL A CALL TELL THEM THE FACTS AND WHAT HE SAID AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION .

GOOD LUCK HOPE THIS HELPS

CHEERS

DON

Answer 4

20 year old carpet has done its dash and should be replaced anyway. Fight this one!!!

Answer 5

On apartment rentals there is a clause called "reasonable wear and tear'...I'm surprised that 20 year old carpet is even still intact..the general rule on this is that about every 3 to 5 years in apartments is time to replace carpet..all he can do is hold back the security deposit..but you can take him to small claims court over this...There will not be a court of law ANYWHERE that will make you pay for 20 year old carpet....They will laugh at the landlord in court...He will also have to reimburse all of your security deposit, and pay for the court cost that you had to pay to  bring him to court...