My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
We lived in an apartment complex for 15 months. I requested to be present during the pre-move inspection as well as the final walk through. This request was faxed to the leasing office, and the manager scheduled an appointment day/time. The maintenance tech came and walked through, with my husband pointing out where our soiled carpet was (mainly next to and near our dining table, in the area coming from the kitchen). The tech said it was nothing to worry about, he was looking for damage like rips and holes in the carpet. He even used the blacklight. He also checked for holes in the walls, vinyl flooring, all appliances, mirrored closet doors, etc. When he left he said "everything looks fine". I did not clean the carpet before we moved because every other time we did, we still got charged for having it cleaned. I thoroughly vacuumed though and cleaned the apartment, but not a deep cleaning because i figured I would be charged for cleaning also. I also do not have pictures. And we never received our final walk through. I know, hindsight is always 20-20...
I received a final accounting 12 days after move out, and they are charging us $1500 for carpet replacement based on a 60 month pro-ration.---They also charged cleaning fee and pro-rated paint 50%, which is fine.--- When I called the manager she said the entire carpet had to be replaced because it was heavily damaged. Again, the only "heavy" soil was near the dining area, nowhere else. She said the computer system to view the pictures was down, and wouldn't be up until the next day, and that she would give me a call.
I had to call the manager back the next day, and was told I had to speak to manager #2 who had already left for the day. I called again this morning and was told manager #2 was in a meeting, so I left a message. Manager #1 left a message on my cell (not home#) and said she spoke to the maintanence tech who said my husband told him the carpet was so damaged that it was probably going to have to be replaced.
I called manager #1 back. I basically told her that I was present and my husband made NO such comment, and I should have received a "checklist" of some sort showing what was damaged when they did the pre-inspection, and that they never did a walk through with us, as requested. She said no, they don't do that, and that the inspection is only to schedule vendors to make necessary repairs and that I should have called the office to find out the results of the visit. She said the guy with the carpet pictures will be in tomorrow, but she's off until Sunday. So Monday will be the soonest she can look at the pictures...
We never owned any pets, but we have three children (7 years and up) and EVERYONE'S shoes come off at the door. The carpet was cheap quality, but looked brand new when we moved in. About a week after move in, we noticed some stains coming up in the dining area, but it wasn't a big deal (at the time) and we would pretty much just spot clean it. Yes, the carpet was soiled when we moved out, but nothing more than about a year's worth of normal wear and tear.
I'm sorry this is so long, but if anyone could give me any advice I would appreciate it. I've looked through links in other threads (California Tenant laws, etc), and believe I am in the right. I plan on writing a formal letter to the corporate office, but I would like any other opinions first.
Thanks for any help!

