Does this count as Carpet Damage?

Does this count as Carpet Damage?

Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 0 votes

Hello, I’m new to the forum and was just looking for some advice regarding my former residence now turned rental property. I’ve been renting it for about 3.5 years now and have had two sets of tenants. The last tenants that just moved out stayed for about 2.5 years. They paid on time and did not have any issues that were brought to my attention. When walking through the property after they vacated I noticed a few things which were damaged.  A few of the issues are pretty clear (Texture removed from the wall that I had repaired by a drywall contractor and a microwave door case was cracked and needed to be replaced), but there are others that are not so clear to me.  

First, the tenant had an office chair that he did not use a mat with (even though we had a lengthy discussion regarding the carpet before he moved in and using a mat specifically) which created a worn ring in the master bedroom as pictured.  

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p392/CapitanCR/...

My question with this is does this constitute carpet damage or is this considered wear and tear?   The ring is clearly obvious and the carpet is only halfway through its life.  

Second question is regarding paint.  Most conversations I found regarding paint in rentals state they should be repainted every 5-7 years.  When my last tenants moved out there were numerous black scuff marks like pictured below.  Both bedroom doors, in all three closets, and in a few places in the hall.  Even around the door frame where it appears they had two separate pull up bars.  Some of the areas can just be covered with a roller, but other darker areas can't and require multiple coats and if the area has a higher gloss paint (doors, closets), the entire area needs to be repainted for it to look normal.  In this case does the repainting come out of the security deposit or does the landlord have to cover these repairs?  Thanks in advance for any advice.

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p392/CapitanCR/...

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p392/CapitanCR/...

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Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y

normal wear and tear

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  • Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    normal wear and tear

  • Kenneth GarrettPro Member
    Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Adam Brandt

    I understand when people comment on painting every 5-7 years.  I almost always end up painting when a tenant leaves.  The wear and tear is such that you really just can’t wash the walls.  I just end of painting them.  I just had a tenant move out.  I had to paint everything except the bathrooms.  This is why we try not to have turnover it’s expensive even if it’s only wear and tear.  The carpet in your pictures look like normal wear and tear.  Have them carpet cleaned and they will be fine. 

    Philosophically, if your trying to get rent at the higher end of the market which is where I typically go.  Just paint it.  In the long run, keeping a tenant even at a $50 reduction In rent is better than then the cost of replacing the tenant provided they are a good tenant.

    Good Luck.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    I think the floor ring is normal. It looks like it's matted down, not torn or worn. Think about it this way: repair would involve cutting out that section of carpet and patching it. The cost would probably be around $150, maybe less, and the carpet is half-way through it's life. You're wondering if you should charge $75 for carpet in a bedroom that will likely be covered by other furniture charged to tenants that were good renters for 30 months?

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  • Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    Thanks for the advice everyone. When it comes time for replacement some sort of hard flooring will definitely be used. Just one other question regarding the rug ring. I probably should have used a different picture, but in an empty room on a bright day it’s the first thing that’s noticed (to potential renters). This unit is a 2 bedroom and the same situation happened in the other bedroom the 1st go around when the carpet was a good deal newer. I had the carpets stream cleaned after those tenants moved out which did nothing to make the ring look any different. If a landlord specifically itemizes in the lease that a mat is to be used with rolling furniture like and office chair would it then be enforceable as damage under the lease? It just seems kinda silly to me that carpet should be permanently worn (damaged) in a specific small area, costing anywhere from $75 to $150 or more, when the issue could be avoided with a $15 item. In any case, thanks to everyone for their advice.

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