The law allows landlords to deduct portions of the security deposit to cover the cost of damages caused by a tenant.
Is carpet wear and tear security deposit ca.
Most disputes over security deposits come down to what constitutes normal wear and tear.
Sometimes a security deposit is called a damage deposit and is generally some amount of money that the landlord is able to hold on to if a rental.
In most states and jurisdictions security deposit laws allow a landlord to deduct from a security deposit for any damage or excessive dirtiness but not for any expected normal wear and tear.
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.
California tenants are not responsible for normal wear and tear to carpets.
A landlord cannot retain a security deposit to cover normal wear and tear that occurs as a result of the tenant using the property for its intended purpose okay i got it.
Replace or return personal property or appurtenances exclusive of ordinary wear and tear if the security deposit is authorized to be applied thereto by the rental agreement.
A landlord cannot deduct the cost of repainting or replacing carpet from the security deposit for normal wear and tear or even when the walls and carpet have met the useful life terms.
C a landlord may not demand or receive security.
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.
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.
The landlord can withhold from the security deposit only those amounts that are necessary and reasonable and not a result of ordinary and reasonable wear and tear for example a landlord may not make tenants pay for painting new carpets or curtains unless they are damaged beyond ordinary and reasonable wear and tear.
However landlords cannot deduct to repair normal wear and tear or the normal depreciation of a property.
They may have to pay for a replacement if the carpet is damaged beyond usual wear and tear.
Generally a professional cleaning company can clean an empty unit for 200 including shampooing the carpet.
