Tenant Burnt Carpet

We are accidental landlords because we can t sell our flat.

Tenant burnt carpet.

Unfortunately the door was locked so the tenant thought the best thing to do was place the flaming pan on the carpeted floor leaving a large burn mark on the carpet. For example suppose a tenant has damaged beyond repair an eight year old carpet that had a life expectancy of ten years and that a replacement carpet of similar quality would cost 1 000. Your landlord s homeowner s insurance should cover the cost of repairs. Tenants can t be held responsible for normal wear and tear.

The landlord might not be legally required to say fix a patch of burned carpet or smoke damaged wallpaper if that s the only damage. The quote for replacement is 1450 approx 32sqm repair isnt really possible without it showing. 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. Normal wear and tear is defined as moderate scuffs marks nicks light stains or spotting.

However if you caused damage to your landlord s carpet your renter s insurance should cover it. Burned or stained carpeting is damage. The current tenant is moving out after 6 months has burnt the carpet in 3 places looks like straighteners as straight lines our letting agent has asked us if we want to deduct money from her deposit. If there are no large stains tears or rips and the carpet simply needs to be cleaned that falls under normal wear and tear.

Matted carpet or furniture impressions are wear and tear. If the carpet in a rental unit is damaged and must be replaced the damage the tenant is responsible for must be prorated appropriately. When a tenant causes damage beyond normal use a landlord has cause to charge the tenant for the damages. If the burn was there before you moved in you shouldn t be responsible for the damage.

When the apartment is uninhabitable sometimes the fire damage. Ordinary wear and tear to carpets drapes and other furnishings cannot be charged against a tenant s security deposit. Carpets in the bedroom are1 5 years old like new as first tenant was spotless. All those assets are subjected to normal wear and tear.

Normal wear and tear a tenant is not responsible for normal wear and tear to the walls and floor. Civil code section 1950 5 e ordinary wear and tear includes simple wearing down of carpet and drapes because of normal use or aging and includes moderate dirt or spotting. A carpet is another asset in a rental property just like a fridge microwave or dishwasher.