Landlord Refuses to Change Carpet Even if Tenant Pays for It
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
We just moved to an apartment complex. The loft carpet and the closet in it has cat urine. The landlord agreed to exchange the carpet in the closet but not in the loft (200 sq ft). We offered to pay for the new carpet and still he said no. They did clean the carpet but as everyone knows cat urine cannot be cleaned. It comes back when is dry.
We just want a new fresh carpet and we are even willing to pay it. Do we have a case here and can we complain to higher managers? The manager who refused installation is on site. The property is managed by big company.
Thank you.
Re: Landlord Refuses to Change Carpet Even if Renter Wants to Pay for New Carpet
That's strange. I've been a landlord, an renter, had cats, cleaned up after cats, fires, etc.... I guess "everyone" doesn't know you can't clean up cat urine.
You have zero case. The landlord is under no obligation to improve nor allow you to improve the apartment over the condition it was when you rented it.
Re: Landlord Refuses to Change Carpet Even if Renter Wants to Pay for New Carpet
thank you. I could not understand why would not he agree on a free new carpet. I guess we either have to leave or live with the smell. I thought maybe if I call the head office they will be more reasonable and help.
Re: Landlord Refuses to Change Carpet Even if Renter Wants to Pay for New Carpet
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Quoting
Renterin
thank you. I could not understand why would not he agree on a free new carpet. I guess we either have to leave or live with the smell. I thought maybe if I call the head office they will be more reasonable and help.
Try that.
As a former landlord I would have no objection to the tenant paying for new carpet provided it was the same type, style, and color of the existing carpet.
However, if the LL still says no, I suggest you pay for your own carpet cleaning/extraction and make sure you get a written guarantee up front about the cat pee.
Re: Landlord Refuses to Change Carpet Even if Renter Wants to Pay for New Carpet
No cleaning company guaranties cat pee removal. If it is in the pad, it will stay there. At first gets better, but as soon as gets dry and humid the smell is back. I just don't know yet if I can tolerate it. The loft is the best room in the apartment and it is a shame that we cannot enjoy it. The apartment is the most expensive of all in the complex. I would expect that it is sanitary clean for the price we pay. We have invested already in this place - we had to order exterminator because there were fleas too.
Lesson learned - never rent a place that you have not seen personally. Although, cat pee cannot be detected from just walking in. My review for this place will not be pretty.