Renter/landlord issue with carpet replacement (Santa Clara: apartment complex, live, restaurant)

[renterinca]

We just moved in an apartment complex. The carpet in one of the rooms and the closet has cat urine. Manager on site agreed to change the carpet in closet but refuses to change it in the room (200 sq ft). They did clean the carpet but cat urine cannot be cleaned. We offered to pay for a new carpet and were told no.
Please logicly explain why would not someone want a new free carpet? We will pay all expenses and even if needed for best carpet installer. Should we reach to higher management? This is a big property management company but the site manager refused to help us.

Thank you!

[Floorist]

I would go over his head. You should have brought this up before move-in.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

They probably are afraid that if they take up the carpet, then they can't pretend they don't know about the flooring underneath being soaked with cat urine, too, and it needing to be torn up, etc., etc.

What I'd do if I was you, is write the manager a formal letter demanding to be moved to a different apartment at management's expense, then, or you will take the matter to court. Include in the formal letter the dates that you offered to pay for a new carpet, and when the manager denied you, and name the manager. Give a deadline for when they need to have a new apt ready for you.

Then just see what happens.

Is it a year lease? If not, you can just give 30 days notice to move. Then, if I was you, I'd send them a demand letter for the cost of moving again, and if/when they don't pay, take them to court then.

You may or may not win, but sometimes making a big enough noise works. It worked for me where I am here. I was given an apt over a bar that supposedly closed up early and is called a restaurant, only to find out they have live rock bands late almost every night. I made a big enough noise and they gave me a new apt. I did not force the issue of charging them for the cost of the move, but all of a sudden their policy of not letting people move into new apartments unless they'd been there 6 months or longer - went away.

I used to be a property manager in Santa Clara. I can give you more info on your rights, if you have more questions. But, I'd start by being a very noisy wheel.

In fact, in your letter to the manager, also address it to "and Owner" and put two copies of the letter in the envelope and in your letter tell her that you want her to deliver one copy to the owner.

Anyway, being noisy might get you a different apartment. That would probably be cheaper for them, than taking up that rug and having to deal with what's underneath.

Good luck. Feel free to ask me more questions or DM me.

[onlymike]

Seriously I would move because this is going to be the future of all problems that you are going to have in this place. So it might just be easier to move now and find a place with management that's easier to deal with.