Carpet - Cleaning Deposit / post Walk-Through

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talerco

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Jurisdiction
California
Had a walk through today and got a list of things to do.
5 hours later received a text from property manager saying, "I'm sorry I didn't mention that you are responsible for having the carpet cleaned like when you moved in."
I lived there 2.5 years and the (cheap) carpet shows some wear but there are no burns, stains, holes etc. It is freshly vacuumed and in very clean condition. I can't imagine professional cleaning (she also indicated I could rent a steam cleaner) would improve it much other than beating it up and leaving it wet. The lease does not specifically call for this.
2 QUESTIONS-
1. Is this 'having the carpet cleaned' a valid requirement?
2. Isn't the walk- through the walk-through. How long do I need to be responsible for 'I didn't mention' added items after the walk-through is complete?
Thanks!
 
talerco said:
1. Is this 'having the carpet cleaned' a valid requirement?
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If it isn't in your lease, then probably not.

If, however, you want MOST of your deposit returned, cooperating with the LL or her/his agent is often your best play.

talerco said:
Isn't the walk- through the walk-through. How long do I need to be responsible for 'I didn't mention' added items after the walk-through is complete?
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Until you grow weary, or if you want to jeopardize getting the majority of yoru deposit returned.

It is always easier to cooperate, if someone is holding something you value.
 
If the carpet isn't full of stains the landlord may not know the difference if you do it or not. Give it a good vacuum with some freshener and hope for the best.
 
talerco said:
Is this 'having the carpet cleaned' a valid requirement?
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Yes. Subject to ordinary wear and tear, you are responsible for returning the unit in the condition that you received it. Whether professionally or personally cleaning the carpet is necessary obviously isn't something anyone online can determine.

talerco said:
Isn't the walk- through the walk-through. How long do I need to be responsible for 'I didn't mention' added items after the walk-through is complete?
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This is covered in section 1950.5(f) of the Civil Code. The short answer is no, you don't get to say "gotcha!" just because something wasn't mentioned during the walkthrough.
 
talerco said:
Had a walk through today and got a list of things to do.
5 hours later received a text from property manager saying, "I'm sorry I didn't mention that you are responsible for having the carpet cleaned like when you moved in."
I lived there 2.5 years and the (cheap) carpet shows some wear but there are no burns, stains, holes etc. It is freshly vacuumed and in very clean condition. I can't imagine professional cleaning (she also indicated I could rent a steam cleaner) would improve it much other than beating it up and leaving it wet. The lease does not specifically call for this.
2 QUESTIONS-
1. Is this 'having the carpet cleaned' a valid requirement?
2. Isn't the walk- through the walk-through. How long do I need to be responsible for 'I didn't mention' added items after the walk-through is complete?
Thanks!
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The cost of renting a carpet cleaner along with the solution is < $80.00. You can bet that the cost (taken out of your security deposit) will be way more.
 
The LL has to show that the carpet needed additional cleaning before charging for it. The LL can't just arbitrarily tack on a charge because the tenant doesn't hire cleaners or rent a cleaning machine.
 
Zigner said:
The LL has to show that the carpet needed additional cleaning before charging for it. The LL can't just arbitrarily tack on a charge because the tenant doesn't hire cleaners or rent a cleaning machine.
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It stands to reason that after 2 1/2 years the carpet would need a cleaning.

When I was renting I had my carpets done at least 2x per year.
 
justblue said:
It stands to reason that after 2 1/2 years the carpet would need a cleaning.

When I was renting I had my carpets done at least 2x per year.
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Yes, but if the carpet has no signs of needing a cleaning (other than time passed), then the LL isn't going to be able to make such a charge stick.
 
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