In most cases landlords should not charge tenants for a standard carpet cleaning.
Carpet traffic ca law security deposit.
According to california law landlords can only charge tenants for carpet and paint under certain conditions.
Any carpet cleaning charges they collect in advance must be treated as part of a security deposit which must be subject to a refund.
If the residence is furnished the landlord may charge up to 3 times the rent.
Typically landlords may use a tenant s security deposit for any cleaning or repairs necessary to restore the rental unit to its condition at the beginning of the tenancy landlords may not however use the deposit to cover the costs of ordinary wear and tear.
There is no restriction on the amount of the security deposit for the rental of a commercial property.
Unfurnished units for units where the tenant must provide their own furniture the most a landlord can ask as a security deposit is the equivalent of two months rent.
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.
The maximum amount differs depending on whether the unit is empty or furnished.
California tenants are not responsible for normal wear and tear to carpets.
Because carpet cleaning is part of the overall turnover costs that is usually covered by the landlords.
A security deposit is intended to be used by the landlord to do repairs on the rental unit that is caused by the tenant himself.
The most common dispute between landlords and tenants is over the security deposit refund and whether damage is wear and tear.
If the security deposit is for a residential property without furniture the security deposit may equal 2 times the rent.
In disputes over security deposits courts have often considered basic carpet cleaning to be part of normal wear and tear.
And the longer a tenant has lived in a place the more wear and tear can be expected.
Once you learn whether or not you as a long term tenant will pay those costs you.
They may have to pay for a replacement if the carpet is damaged beyond usual wear and tear.
Below is information that is listed by the california department of consumer affairs www dca ca gov regarding deductions on these specific items.
California state law does limit the amount a landlord can collect as a security deposit.
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.
Deductions cannot include normal wear and tear essentially a landlord would have to sue a tenant as a separate matter if they did not pay for routine carpet cleaning required by the lease.
