How much to pay replacing damaged carpet?

How much to pay replacing damaged carpet?

15:07 PM, 12th July 2016, About 8 years ago 16

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We moved into our current rental home in March 2014, but prior to that there were tenants in it for at least 2 years (possibly more). Our estate agent has not given us the exact age of the home, but we do remember her telling us during our preview that it was built around 2010 and this is the only carpet ever installed in it.carpet

With that info, we have pets and there has been some damage to the carpet in a few areas of the house. I understand we will need to replace these areas, but I know there is a depreciated valued for the carpet that will come into how much we actually have to pay.

My husband requested a copy of the invoice from the company who installed the carpet and they don’t have any on file. He then asked the estate agent for the invoice who stated that she didn’t have any invoice and doesn’t keep records of this info. We taken every opportunity possible to find out the actual age of the carpet, don’t know the lifespan of the carpet, and don’t know the cost of the carpet when it was originally fitted.

We want to do the right thing with replacing, but if the carpet is old enough to be replaced, we don’t want to waste time and money either since it’s depreciated in value. Because of these factors, is there a law that landlords must follow or any regulation that states how often carpet should be replaced in rental homes?

Any other issues or suggestions to be advised of?

Many thanks

Lindsay


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Comments

Nigel Fielden

10:56 AM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

Hi Lindsay

I know you are trying to do the right thing but if your landlord's agent isn't interested then it might be better to wait until you check out and then have a negotiation. The agent will have to get quotes for replacing the carpet and will need to provide the information needed to work out "betterment" as the insurance people call it.

Depending on the amount of the deposit, the cost of the carpet and any other damage, you will probably be in the driving seat as you will owe them more than they owe you.

Cheers
Nigel

Adrian Jones

11:33 AM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

As a Landlord I would expect to replace the carpets after 7 years at my own expense. I wonder if previous tenants have been charged.

Kelly Joanna

11:39 AM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

A life span of a rental carpet is 7 years.
The landlord is entitled to compensation for the remainder of the 'life' of the carpet.
If your pet has caused damage, make a realistic offer in writing to the agent. And make sure you get them cleaned/sprayed if the agreement has such a clause. Even if the carpet was a year old, you would not be liable to pay for a brand new carpet, only a contribution towards years lost on it. Hope this helps.

Adrian Jones

12:58 PM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Kelly Joanna" at "13/07/2016 - 11:39":

Depends on the quality of the carpet.

Kelly Joanna

13:35 PM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Adrian Jones" at "13/07/2016 - 12:58":

Hi Adrian
regardless of the carpet quality, the DPS will give it a 7 year lifespan and they will only award compensation based on age of carpet at the time of the claim.

Luke P

13:52 PM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

I even had a Judge tell me once that a tenant had only damaged 5% of the carpet (iron burn hole and permanent stain) and therefore would only allow 5% towards the repairing/replacing of that portion of the carpet!

I wonder if the Judge would have been happy if I cut a hole in his suit, only to compensate him the few quid to buy the material to make a patch...?

Adrian Jones

16:01 PM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

Sorry Kelly, the point I was making is that I wouldn't be expecting tenants to pay for carpets that were coming up to 7 years old.

Out of interest how does the DPS establish the age of the carpet?

Michael Barnes

23:00 PM, 13th July 2016, About 8 years ago

As a landlord, I recon on replacing carpets after 5 years.

Kelly Joanna

10:39 AM, 14th July 2016, About 8 years ago

the DPS would expect you to prove the age of the carpet to substantiate your claim. Sadly some landlords don't have the realistic outlook you seem to have 🙂

Adrian Jones

10:57 AM, 14th July 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Kelly Joanna" at "14/07/2016 - 10:39":

Thanks Kelly. Good reason to keep your receipts then.

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