Tenant hired bad cleaning company that damaged property

[David Cas]

Hi, this is in California.

Per our lease, the tenants were supposed to leave the property in the same condition it was found (minus wear and tear). 

We agreed to let the tenants hire a company for deep cleaning and carpet cleaning. 

The cleaning company used the wrong chemicals to clean dirty spots and have damaged the carpet in several places (seems like permanent damage). I have tried to reach out to this company several times to fix the mess but they are not answering.

Am I wrong to assume the tenants are on the hook for this? They have asked me to pursue resolution with the company directly, and to return security deposits. I plan on withholding security deposits until they fix it.

Thank you.

[Alan Pederson]

I would definitely keep their deposit until this is resolved.