Can my landlord sue me for 15 year old carpet?
Can I be sued for the replacement cost of 15 year old carpet for "damages" that are allegedly more than normal wear and tear? From what I understand, you can only be sued for the value of the used carpet and carpet loses its value after 7 years.
Posted in old rugs
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January 15th, 2010 at 4:48 am
They can only do this if you actually damaged it. Not for normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear on 15 year old carpeting would be notiable matting in traffic areas, some fraying of the yards too. It would not include any stains, or rips.
Carpeting usually lasts about 30 years and while 15 does not look new it should not need to be replaced either.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:48 am
Take pictures and samples, if possible. Yes, they can not charge you to replace the old carpet. Only if you actually caused damage to it.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:48 am
They can try. But if you can prove it’s a 15 year old carpet then at most your landlord would get the 15 year depreciated value of the carpet. I imagine that would be zero or really close to zero.
January 15th, 2010 at 4:48 am
I would think that you can only be charged some partial rate that takes in to account depreciation, etc. I don’t know all of the legal particulars but I would think the court and other fees alone would cost more than many would be willing to pay to replace an old carpet. He may be able to take you to small claims court if he isn’t asking too much for it though. That wouldn’t be too cost prohibitive for him.