Civil code 1950 5 b 2.
California rental deposit carpet.
Below is information that is listed by the california department of consumer affairs www dca ca gov regarding deductions on these specific items.
The law includes limits on the amount a landlord can charge the legal reasons a landlord can take deductions and a tenant s right to a walk through inspection.
As these are not true damages landlords cannot charge their tenants to fix these things.
B as used in this section security means any payment fee deposit or charge including but not limited to any payment fee deposit or charge except as provided in section 1950 6 that is imposed at the beginning of the tenancy to be used to reimburse the landlord for costs associated with processing a new tenant or that is.
The state of california has rules about security deposits that are meant to protect both landlords and tenants.
A security deposit is any money a landlord takes from a tenant other than the advance payment of rent.
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.
If the carpet in a rental property is excessively dirty or damaged the landlord can deduct the cost from the security deposit.
Under california landlord tenant guidelines a carpet s useful life is eight to 10 years.
The cost of replacing the carpet after 10 years falls to the landlord.
It may be used to cover damage to the property cleaning key replacement or back rent.
This includes carpet burns broken tiles missing blinds grime coated appliances and.
It does clarify that worn or aged but otherwise undamaged carpet does not affect a property s habitability.
Sometimes landlords will discover tenant abuse of the carpeting that is considered unusual damage.
Property damages and excessively dirty areas however can be charged for.
Charging a security deposit for carpet cleaning and painting depends on how long the tenant occupied the premises and in what condition the walls and carpet were left.
California law does not specify when landlords must replace carpeting in rental units.
The security deposit serves to protect the landlord if the tenant breaks or violates the terms of the lease or rental agreement.
When a tenant moves out of a unit the landlord may deduct from a tenant s security deposit to repair damage to the premises that is caused by the tenant but only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.
Most disputes over security deposits come down to what constitutes normal wear and tear.
