In Ma Can A Landlord Charge For Carpet Replacement

Housing and urban development hud guidelines for carpet.

In ma can a landlord charge for carpet replacement. For example if the carpet had a 10 year life expectancy but due to tenant damage had to be replaced after just seven years the tenant is only responsible for the useful life of the carpet that has been lost. Also normal wear and tear to carpets drapes and other furnishings cannot be charged against a tenant s security deposit normal wear and tear includes simple wearing down of carpet and drapes because of normal use or aging and includes moderate dirt or spotting. If you ve damaged the carpet the landlord is not likely to replace it on his dime. Generally the longer you live in an apartment the more wear and tear is expected and ordinary.

A landlord cannot routinely charge each tenant for cleaning carpets drapes walls or windows in order to prepare the rental unit for the next tenancy. Expected life of carpet. Using the same example with a life expectancy of nine years and if a replacement carpet of similar quality would cost 2 000 the landlord could properly charge only 222 22 for only one years worth of life use that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged the carpet. If the carpet originally cost 1 000 and had a life expectancy of 10 years the depreciation charge would be 100 per year.

Also it is illegal for your landlord to charge for carpet replacement when the carpet only suffered from normal wear and tear. 10 years depreciation charge 1 000 10. The landlord should properly charge only 200 for the two years worth of life use that would have remained if the tenant had not damaged the carpet. In fact he is entitled to deduct damages from your security deposit.

Ordinary wear and tear does not justify a deduction from your deposit. An apartment rug or carpet collects dust dirt and pet hair. If your landlord will replace the carpet in your rental unit then he must provide you with a copy of the receipts of the charges that they deducted on your security deposit. Children for example tend to put their hands on.

100 per year age of carpet. A landlord cannot deduct the cost of repainting or replacing carpet from the security deposit for normal wear and tear or even when the walls and carpet have met the useful life terms. Original cost of carpet. 10 years 8 years 2 years.

What important things do you need to keep in mind when it comes to landlord carpet replacement. In some states the landlord may bring legal action against a former tenant if the damage exceeds the security deposit. Carpet life years remaining.