Carpet cleaning (renter, landlord, inspection)

[Debra58]

I would like to know if i is the responsibility of the renter to have the carpet cleaned in California while living in the property and the carpet has spots that came back from the beginning?

[Think4Yourself]

It is the renter's responsibility to document any pre-existing defects in a property when they move in. You can do this by photographing everything then mailing it to yourself so that the unopened envelope has a USPS time date stamp or, alternatively, documenting it on the rental move in inspection form then having both the renter and the landlord sign it upon move in. The renter is entitled to "fair wear and tear" on the property commensurate to the duration of stay but in the event of a disagreement over what is fair and what is excessive the judge will decide and some judges are more generous than others.

If the spots were pre-existing but you did not document them then you had best hope your landlord is honest about it because you are now at his mercy (with in reason). If this is the case your cheapest option might be to rent a steam cleaner and just do it yourself thus solving the problem.