Questions about apartment/carpet/lease

[Lauri D]

So unfortunately, about six months ago I spilled a drink that had Red Dye #5 or whatever in it and despite immediate treatment and professional carpet cleaning, it's there to stay I think :(

My question is this: my lease says I'm "supposed to" have the carpets professionally cleaned prior to move out, but I already know that's not going to correct the problem, so not sure what to do.

From what I've been reading (and some of the info is quite confusing) if I do in fact choose not to have it professionally cleaned before moving, the leasing company will either a) try having it cleaned and deduct from my deposit if it somehow miraculously works, which would be great or b) try having it cleaned, have it not work, and then try to charge me for the full replacement cost.

HOWEVER! I read something about the concept of "use of life", meaning depending on how old the carpet was when I moved in vs. its life expectancy, they can only reasonably deduct from my deposit/charge over that based on a ratio calculated from that. Like, if the carpet had a life expectancy of ten years and it was eight years old when I moved in, if it needs to be replaced they can't charge me for the full replacement cost as though it had been brand new when I moved in. I'm having trouble understanding it completely, but it seems to me to be analagous to the insurance concept of depreciation, actual cash value at time of loss etc.

I'll save the story of my last landlord until I get my head around it better and can maybe get some knowledge from y'all?

I can't figure out what it is about apartment carpets though - I *never* had issues with good quality carpet in my homes as I am generally not hard on carpet (don't even wear shoes in the house, treat any spotting immediately). I can't help but wonder if it's because they choose incredibly cheap carpeting that will stain indelibly at the drop of a hat. I also wonder this because I have friends that have a snow white but very good quality carpet that got a huge cabernet spill on it, and they were able to get rid of it with "Wine Away". And yet I can't get rid of a "LifeWater" stain. :doh:

[Dingfod]

Got nothing. Left stained carpet before, never been charged for it, often didn't get cleaning deposit back, but that was usually because I left before the lease was up.

[mulebear]

Though my experience is limited, I believe they put in cheap carpet because they expect to replace it after each tenant.

[Watser?]

Yeah, I doubt they will charge you for it.

[LadyShea]

A stain wouldn't warrant apartmentwide replacement, and yes there is such a thing as normal wear and tear that has to be taken into consideration. If needed you could fight it if they try to charge you more than your cleaning deposit

That being said I have better luck getting stains out myself than I ever had with pro cleaners. Try OxyClean then try Kids N Pets.

[wildernesse]

I would pay for the professional cleaning, because you have agreed to it in your lease. Your lease doesn't say that the carpet will be stain-free, it says it will be professionally cleaned. Why are you worrying about something you didn't agree to? :)

If, after you have fulfilled your obligations, they think something is beyond normal wear and tear, then they might need to take something out of your security deposit. In NC, I seem to recall that the security deposit could only be used for specific things. It may be the same in your state, and you could look it up. Stains on carpet are part of normal wear and tear in most places I have lived, so I doubt you would be charged for having a stain on the carpet. In any event, they will likely have to document anything that they deduct from your deposit (if anything) before they return it, so you can cross that bridge when you come to it.

It is really unlikely that a stain in the carpet will move you beyond the security deposit, so why even go there? If your landlord isn't an idiot or a slumlord, then they are charging you enough rent to cover fixing normal wear and tear when you move out, even without the security deposit. The next step is a lawsuit to recover damages, and I really don't think it is worth it, even if you spilt an entire bottle of Lifewater on the floor. Maybe if you spilt a case of it, and knocked holes in all the walls or something.

[Demimonde]

I have always received back my deposit, even in the apartment with the rather large rug burn. I second having them cleaned, that was what always did it IMO. I didn't typically hire professionals, nor was it stipulated in my lease that I do so. I would just rent a machine from the grocery store and do it myself. Having it cleaned makes it easy to repair and most apartments have a standard color in all units with lots of extra for such things.

Actually, the large burn one I fixed myself because I was worried. I cut out a piece from a closet and patched it. The tiny flaw in the closet was no problem, because they could just drop in a 3X3 square from their reserves, if they even bothered at all.

You really should be fine.

[Prince Vegita]

If you haven't chemically set the stain yet, try pouring white wine on it and blotting it.

[Lauri D]

I just scheduled carpet cleaners to come the day prior to my departure, so I will now try to stop worrying about things I can't control. It's a mean feat because worrying is my default hobby, but I'm tryin'!

[JoeP]

so I will now try to stop worrying about things I can't control. It's a mean feat because worrying is my default hobby, but I'm tryin'!

What you're saying is you're worried about your ability to stop worrying? :hug: