Landlord making us pay Labor costs to replace Carpet??? (apartment, lease agreement, tenants)

[amburke]

Hello everyone,
My mother has lived in her apartment for almost 20 years (in California), and has NEVER had the carpet replaced. We have been trying for years to get management to replace the carpet, but the problem is that they want US to hire and pay for people to move the furniture around while they replace the carpet. To me this is absurd! We have lived in this complex far longer than any other tenant, have always paid rent on time and have never had any problems. I feel that they should take care of all costs associated with replacing this carpet that was only meant to last 5-7 years and is now going on 20. Is this fair? Thank you!!

[sware2cod]

When you rent, you have to live by the decisions of the landlord when it comes to replacing carpet in cases such as yours.

Here are your options

1) move to a different place that has newer carpet
2) live with the carpet as-is.
3) pay for the furniture mover labor if you want new carpet.


Keep in mind if you choose option 3 above, there is no guarantee how long you will be living in that unit with the new carpet. The landlord can ask you to move out given proper notice unless you are still in an annual lease agreement or long term rule where landlord can't do this such as rent control which is in some areas.

Normally a landlord buys carpet when there are no renters living there. So the landlord wouldn't have to pay for movers to deal with your furniture. This is fair that they are asking you to pay. It can't be that expensive. What is the cost - $150?

It sounds to me like the landlord IS willing to pay for all costs related to replacing the carpet. But they aren't willing to pay for costs to move your furniture.

[spankys bbq]

They also may not be interested in moving your furniture in case something happens. I refuse to move any tenant's property for any reason unless it is a true emergency. I also don't like my carpet guy to move their stuff either if he has to go do a patch or something. It could be that he's being cheap or protecting himself and his subs. I can see it both ways here.

Realistically, he doesn't have to change the carpet. This seems like give a little, get a little.

[charmed hour]

You can always just move the furniture yourself, too. No need to pay someone else.

[NY Annie]

OP, you don't have to get professionals to move the furniture, nor do you have to pay whomever the landlord hires. If the LL is not paying for it, and I understand why not, then get some friends to come and move the furniture. OR, contact a church to see if they have someone willing to do it for a lower cost.

[momtothree]

I think it's very fair. He doesn't have to give you new carpet but he is doing it. As others said, they normally replace carpet in between tenants.