Carpet smells bad, can I use deposit to pay?

Question

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before. Just a new landlord trying to get things right and fair. A tenant just moved out and the carpet has strong smell because of the pet. Can I use the deposit to pay for the carpet replacement? or the carpet deep cleaning would be able to get rid of the smell.

And if yes, do I use pet deposit or security deposit to pay? Is it max amount limited to any of them or the combined total?

Thank you

And if yes, do I use pet deposit or security deposit to pay? Is it max amount limited to any of them or the combined total?

Thank you

Michael Craig · Answer

@Andy Chen

A cleaning should suffice in this situation. For future reference, include on the lease: "tenants are responsible for having carpets professionally cleaned upon move out."

If it were me, I would hire a professional carpet cleaner. I would have the cleaner provide documentation stating cleaning is mandatory for apartment habitation (or recommended) whichever the cleaner believes to be true. Then I would have the carpet cleaner clean the carpets. Make a copy of the receipt and the document that shows the cleaning was necessary and include it on the security deposit itemized receipt. Be sure to deduct the FULL amount of the cleaning from the security deposit. Also include before and after photos of the carpet if you think this will help your case.

Any tenant with reason will accept this cost. However, in the very unlikely event they do not, you have a strong case in small claims court.

Aaron K. · Answer

Cleaning, yes.  Replacement, maybe, but would likely only be partially, make sure you check your local laws.  If it is just smell a good cleaning should be able to suffice most of the time.

Joe P. · Answer

Correct, you can use the deposit for a deep-cleaning, be sure to save any receipts as well so you can show your tenant when you only return a portion of it. Communication is everything with return of the deposit, so be clear, upfront, and direct.

What I like to do (especially with pets) is be upfront that carpet cleaning will most likely be a requirement upon move-out and will likely be taken out the deposit. I usually charge a non-refundable pet deposit for that, but check local laws. One township I invest in only allows a deposit to be 1.5x the rent, so I am capped at what I can charge. Its easier to set the expectation in the beginning on matters like that, and most pet owners understand.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I agree with the others.  Cleaning can do a lot and having it done by a professional makes it easier to show the cost to the tenant when it comes off their rent.  Where I am, they have to have carpets professionally cleaned on move out or they are changed (yes that is provincial regulations).

Andy Chen · Answer

@aaron

@Aaron K. @Michael Craig Thank you two for the sharing. I do have the "tenants are responsible for having carpets professionally cleaned upon move out" and we have agreed to hire professional carpet cleaning when doing the move-out walk through.

Glad to know that cleaning would suffice. Because I don't want to charge him too much either.

Thanks for your suggestions again.

Andy Chen · Answer

@Ron H. I believe it is class B units. I am thinking to install vinyl tiles for a longer term solution.

Andy Chen · Answer

@Anthony Wick Very good points. I will need to learn more about pet fee, pet rent and pet deposit and pick the one suitable to me. I also need to compare with the competitions. From looking at the ads in the same neighborhood, they don't seem to charge pet rent / pet fee. Maybe they charge when writing the contract.

Ron H. · Answer

Cleaning may or may not work. It depends if and how saturated the carpet padding is below the carpet.  It also depends if carpet is saturated with dog or cat urine.  Cats are usually worse than dogs.  Also depends on if this is an A or  D class unit.  People usually expect a much nicer environment in nicer neighborhoods.

Anthony Wick · Answer

@Andy Chen. I just charged a tenant for a full carpet clean and a fogging of the unit due to their cat urine odor. They were not happy about it, but I don't care. They can certainly take me to court if they somehow feel they can get their money back. I don't make it a point to keep peoples money, but I certainly do not take a loss on damage that they caused.

I don't charge a "pet deposit". I charge a non-refundable pet fee. I also do not charge "pet rent". I raise the rent $50 for each pet they wish to have. Pet leaves? Rent is the rent. Carpet cleanings and/or repairs due to pet damage is charged to the damage deposit.

Carpet smells bad, can I use deposit to pay?

Most Popular Reply