Can I Be Charged For Carpet Cleaning

The answer is both yes and no.

Can i be charged for carpet cleaning.

I moved out almost a year ago and received a letter stating i owed money for carpet cleaning services that non of my other roommates were charged for. The only thing i can think of is that it is because i had an emotional support animal living with me but to my knowledge landlords weren t allowed to charge for them. In disputes over security deposits courts have often considered basic carpet cleaning to be part of normal wear and tear. In most cases landlords should not charge tenants for a standard carpet cleaning.

But when it comes to a carpet that is badly stained or damaged a landlord can charge a tenant for cleaning costs or even to replace the entire carpet if it s that badly damaged or stained and they can do it by withholding all or part of the security deposit. Also normal wear and tear to carpets drapes and other furnishings cannot be charged against a tenant s security deposit normal wear and tear includes simple wearing down of carpet and drapes because of normal use or aging and includes moderate dirt or spotting. Your landlord cannot legally deduct from your security deposit even if. Also the lease agreement may stipulate that the tenants handle the carpet cleaning before they vacate the property.

A landlord cannot routinely charge each tenant for cleaning carpets drapes walls or windows in order to prepare the rental unit for the next tenancy. A landlord can charge for cleaning if the carpet is excessively dirty and or damaged. My dog only lived there a few months never went to the bathroom in the house and never ruined the carpet in anyway. 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.