Pet damage to portion of carpet?

Question

It was a struggle to litter box train the stray cat I took in from off the streets, she went in the litter box 50% of the time. By the time I refined my litter box training techniques, it was too late for a part of the carpet in my apartment I was renting. I tried to treat it with those pet solutions and carpet shampooing, but, the carpet needed replacing and I fully agree with this. My question is, after I moved out, my land lord charged full price for the carpet and padding, installing labor, and labor & supplies for treating part of the floor board (which did need treating, I understand that). Now, I don't believe this carpet was brand new - I would say around 4-5 years old. Am I being charged too much? Am I responsible for paying the labor in addition to the carpet and padding itself? Landlords out there (or tenants) - how does this usually work? And since the carpet wasn't new, and if maybe the carpet's life-span is ten years - would it be fair to pay for the % of the cost rationed to the remainder of expect life-span years? Let me have it! Thanks in advance!! :)

Answer 1

First off, let me acknowledge your mature attitude regarding the damage and responsibility for the repair of the damage. Many tenants do not think that they should have to pay for damages caused by them or their pets. Thank you, from a landlord.

You are liable for the depreciated value of the carpet replacement including installation & labor costs.

If the carpet has a life expectancy of 10 years and it was, in fact, 5 years old, you are liable for 1/2 the cost. If it was 3 years old = 7/10 of the cost, 9 years old = 1/10 of the cost. Aside from asking the landlord about the age of the carpet, there is no way that you can prove how old it is. Hopefully the landlord will be honest and if the carpet has a few years on it, he'll only charge you according to the depreciated value.

This applies to the carpet & padding only.

Your liability for the cost to treat the floor and/or sub-floor is 100%.

Answer 2

Here is what I do and it has worked for 25 years including standing up in the courts for, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tempe Arizona.

Lifespan of carpet = 5 years.

Carpet is say 2 years old.

I pro-rate the carpet cost.

I do not charge for the 2 years of use I got.

Yes, that includes pad and labor.

A cat will also cause me to have to treat the flooring.

Cat urine is awful!

Answer 3

You may ask to see the receipt for the carpet replacement.  If it was used, it should not have cost very much, though the pad is probably new.  Installation cost is as great for used as for new.

It is correct to pay for material and installation, plus treating what is underneath as the smell would stay.

Unfortunately, the apt. was unrentable until this work was done so you are definitely liable.

Answer 4

a carpet without installation isn't worth much, and if he put in used carpet, then you should only pay about half the cost of the carpet itself (not labor).  ask to see his receipt for the carpet - if there is none he pulled the stuff out of storage to use on this unit.