California Rental Carpet Cleaning Law

California law also permits a landlord to deduct for the repair of damage to the rental unit including carpet damage as long as the damage is beyond regular normal wear and tear which is permitted by law.

California rental carpet cleaning law.

Once you learn whether or not you as a long term tenant will pay those costs you can. Requiring a tenant to pay for carpet cleaning in advance of moving also will not work any payments in excess of rent are considered security deposits atcp 134 02 and so withholding that money would also be considered a withholding from a security deposit and therefore illegal absent unusual damage. According to california law landlords can only charge tenants for carpet and paint under certain conditions. The expenses of cleaning must also be reasonable.

California civil code 1950 5 allows landlords to use the security deposit to repair replace or restore personal property only if the rental agreement specifically authorizes this application. In disputes over security deposits courts have often considered basic carpet cleaning to be part of normal wear and tear. There is no legal reason to single out the. For instance an inordinate amount of pet hair or a urine smell left in the carpet would be beyond normal wear and tear as these are avoidable conditions and beyond normal use.

Additionally a tenant may be charged for cleaning where the tenant has caused filth beyond ordinary use. In most cases landlords should not charge tenants for a standard carpet cleaning. Even if the landlord spent money deep cleaning the place whatever that means if you left it clean no deduction is permitted. Because carpet cleaning is part of the overall turnover costs that is usually covered by the landlords.

If a landlord can dictate the method of cleaning the carpet then they can dictate the manner that any other part of or the whole premises is cleaned. Tenants are responsible for all damage they cause and any damage caused by their pets or guests. Check your local and state laws to be sure that there are no additional requirements. It does clarify that worn or aged but otherwise undamaged carpet does not affect a property s habitability.