Are Tenants Responsible For Carpet Cleaning In California

Under california landlord tenant guidelines a carpet s useful life is eight to 10 years.

Are tenants responsible for carpet cleaning in california.

If a tenant resides for less than a year then they are responsible for cleaning the carpet but if they are there for more than a year then the owner is responsible. Additionally tenants cannot be held responsible for defects in the carpet that existed before they moved in. In california a lease exists whenever there is an oral or written agreement to exchange rent for inhabiting a property. This would mean the tenant is required to get the carpets professionally cleaned before leaving the apartment.

The cost of replacing the carpet after 10 years falls to the landlord. Additionally a tenant may be charged for cleaning where the tenant has caused filth beyond ordinary use. Some landlords include carpet cleaning responsibility as part of the lease agreement. The accompanying note cites carpet cleaning as an example of an impermissible basis for withholding a portion of a security deposit.

Below is information that is listed by the california department of consumer affairs www dca ca gov regarding deductions on these specific items. According to california law ca civil code 1940 1954 05 under a lease tenants have certain rights such as the right to a habitable dwelling due process for evictions and more landlords also have rights such as the right to collect rent and to collect for property. Landlord s responsibilities in california regarding appliances and carpets. Can landlord charge for carpet cleaning.

At american heritage we started using a one year time limit as the determining factor and we have never had a legal problem enforcing this rule. 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. A landlord has the responsibility to make a rental property habitable and california law specifies what a property must. My conclusion that carpet cleaning provisions are valid does not affect the prohibition against deducting carpet cleaning expenses from a tenant s security deposit as a means of enforcing such provisions.

Under california law unless the carpet is visibly damaged and that damage is not the result of normal wear and tear the landlord cannot hold the tenant responsible for the damage or the cost of replacement for the carpet.