Some landlords include clauses specifically addressing carpet cleaning or replacement on the lease agreement to avoid security deposit disputes when the tenant is moving out. This ensures that the tenant is fully aware of what is expected of them before signing the lease.
Can a landlord charge for routine carpet cleaning?
According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, landlords CANNOT charge for routine carpet cleaning - during the lease or from a security deposit-no matter what your lease says. Your landlord cannot legally deduct from your security deposit, even if:
Can a landlord deduct carpet cleaning from a security deposit?
If the apartment is located in a state where it is legal to have this clause in the lease, the landlord may add it. And if the tenant fails to abide by the terms of the lease and does not clean the carpets, the landlord can deduct the cost of carpet-cleaning from the security deposit.
Who is responsible for replacing carpets in a lease?
Responsibility for Repairing/Replacing. State laws do not directly require landlords to replace or repair carpets. When the Landlord is Required to Repair/Replace. Landlords may only be required to repair or replace carpets if required in the lease or if the current state of the carpets render the unit “unlivable” (read more).
Does routine carpet cleaning void a rental agreement?
Because routine carpet cleaning is not a statutorily-imposed obligation of a landlord, assigning this responsibility to a tenant through a contractual provision does not render a rental agreement void.
The general guidelines
This is one of those times where there is no clear-cut answer, and each case has to be judged by its merits. Yet there are a few guidelines that can help both landlords and tenants know where their rights end and the other party’s rights begin.
The verdict
Based on these, it is the landlord’s responsibility to clean the carpets in a rental, as long as the rug only suffers from normal wear-and-tear.
When the carpet is not adequately cleaned at tenant move-out
When a tenant vacates an apartment, the carpets are required to be returned to their original condition at the time of tenant move-in. In most states, the landlord cannot dictate what measures the tenant takes to return the carpets to their proper shape.
When the lease agreement requires it
In some states, it’s illegal for landlords to demand that an apartment’s carpets be professionally cleaned before a tenant moves out of the rental. But in some states, including this clause in the lease agreement is permitted.
1. It May Be Required
While it may not be the case in every home or apartment, some landlords require that you clean your carpets at the end of your lease. Complaining about it isn’t going to help you figure things out.
2. You Get A Real Cleaning
You may have been diligent about frequently vacuuming your carpets and raking out as much pet hair as possible if you have pets. However, vacuuming only does so much. While you’ll keep the surface of your carpets in good shape, the only way to get deep into the material is with a thorough steam cleaning.
3. Carpet Lives Longer
By cleaning the carpet at the end of a year lease – or annually if you’re staying more than a year – you lengthen the lifespan of the carpet. The carpet will wear down over time, and you’re not going to want to be the one that gets stuck with trying to figure out carpet repair or replacement.
4. Takes Away the Chance of Bugs
When you let your carpets collect all that dirt and dust, the chance of mites and possibly even carpet beetles will jump way up. You don’t want to be dealing with bugs when your lease comes to a close or take the chance of insects crawling into your possessions when you’re trying to move out without dealing with them.
5. Previous Tenants May Have Done So
Even if you’re not required to clean your carpets at the end of your lease, there’s a chance that previous tenants may have. This is going to set expectations higher for you in the eyes of your landlord.
6. New Tenants Will Be Safer
When you steam clean a carpet to pick up all that deep-seated dirt and dust, you also pick up a significant amount of allergens. Dust allergies are incredibly common, and the tenants that come after you will be walking into a safer environment if the carpets are dust-free.
7. You Build Trust With Your Landlord
A clean apartment or house is not just going to make your landlord happy, but it’s also going to establish trust. If your landlord can see that you’re a clean and tidy person, there’s a higher chance that they’ll allow you to come back to the neighborhood should you ever need a place.
The General Guidelines
- This is one of those times where there is no clear-cut answer, and each case has to be judged by its merits. Yet there are a few guidelines that can help both landlords and tenants know where their rights end and the other party’s rights begin. Generally speaking, the law does not permit landlords to charge renters for carpet cleaning. But, at the same time, there are situations where …
The Verdict
- Based on these, it is the landlord’s responsibility to clean the carpets in a rental, as long as the rug only suffers from normal wear-and-tear. However, if the damage is deemed to be the result of a tenant’s negligence, the tenant must pay for the cleaning of the carpet. Occasions when landlords can charge tenants for carpet-cleaning The big question is: how do you determine when damag…
When The Carpet Is Not Adequately Cleaned at Tenant Move-Out
- When a tenant vacates an apartment, the carpets are required to be returned to their original condition at the time of tenant move-in. In most states, the landlord cannot dictate what measures the tenant takes to return the carpets to their proper shape. However, property owners do have a right to demand that a carpet be re-cleaned if it has not been returned to its prior condition. If th…
When The Lease Agreement Requires It
- In some states, it’s illegal for landlords to demand that an apartment’s carpets be professionally cleaned before a tenant moves out of the rental. But in some states, including this clause in the lease agreement is permitted. If the apartment is located in a state where it is legal to have this clause in the lease, the landlord may add it. And if ...