Renters so can we ask for carpet replacement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bill of Rights is just the highest level of document, think of it like a Constitution but then there are lots of other regulations in DC code. Sorry, don’t know about VA. But here’s the DC code and resources. You could call the OTA and help clinics run by many lawschools (UVA must have one?)

https://ota.dc.gov/page/information-tenants

We are landlords and I hate bad landlords with a passion

I went through all of these. I’m a transactional real estate attorney but I was surprise of the alleged carpet replacement regulation. It isn’t in any of these documents nor in the statue or refs anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with it? What jurisdiction? If it's DC or MD you have to change every 5 years. If it's Virginia and it looks worse than when you moved in you could get charged.

Can you please point me to a document where this is stated for Maryland? Thanks!

Yeah, I’m a landlord in MD and have never heard of this. Sounds made up.

[Anonymous]

Of course it’s all made up. There are no rules that rental carpet must be less than 5 years old. What’s next, all appliances must be stainless steel? Only granite countertops allowed?

[Anonymous]

It’s in the interpretation of the housing standards and habitability warranty. It is very easy to prove that what OP describes is not up to par.

I’d be very comfortable asking, doing myself and deducting from rent and it going to court. I’m a landlord myself and think many landlords on this board should have their licenses yanked.

[Anonymous]

Maryland is one of the dozens of states that have what is commonly known as a “repair and deduct” law on the books. Designed to protect tenants against negligent landlords, this law includes strict guidelines that dictate what types of repairs a property owner is responsible for, the steps tenants can take, and the conditions under which tenants can legally withhold rent payments related to maintenance issues.

Does not technically extend to the carpet, but show me the court that would side with the landlord? Also in court tenant can seek attorney fees but landlord cannot. Oh, joy. So next time someone asks you to the right thing, do it.

[Anonymous]

If you really want to make your case stronger test the carpet for mold, pests, asbestos, arsenic, anything you can think of — tons of labs out there; it will cost you a $100 or so if not in a hurry. Then you can take them to court for what they’re worth. Hate slumlords. Signed, Landlord

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s in the interpretation of the housing standards and habitability warranty. It is very easy to prove that what OP describes is not up to par.

I’d be very comfortable asking, doing myself and deducting from rent and it going to court. I’m a landlord myself and think many landlords on this board should have their licenses yanked.

Not sure where you are but in Virginia there is no landlord “license” to “yank.” But good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

The folk are in MD.

Oh, you could have fun with this one. But I bet the company will say yes the minute you ask

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you really want to make your case stronger test the carpet for mold, pests, asbestos, arsenic, anything you can think of — tons of labs out there; it will cost you a $100 or so if not in a hurry. Then you can take them to court for what they’re worth. Hate slumlords. Signed, Landlord

How is that a slum lord. My carpet is 17 years old and perfect shape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you really want to make your case stronger test the carpet for mold, pests, asbestos, arsenic, anything you can think of — tons of labs out there; it will cost you a $100 or so if not in a hurry. Then you can take them to court for what they’re worth. Hate slumlords. Signed, Landlord

How is that a slum lord. My carpet is 17 years old and perfect shape.

Sure it is. What’s in it: mold, VoCs, toxins, dander, mites?? Yuck yuck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you really want to make your case stronger test the carpet for mold, pests, asbestos, arsenic, anything you can think of — tons of labs out there; it will cost you a $100 or so if not in a hurry. Then you can take them to court for what they’re worth. Hate slumlords. Signed, Landlord

How is that a slum lord. My carpet is 17 years old and perfect shape.

Its not. PP is weird. We bought our current home 10 years ago. The carpets were not new then (but in very good shape.) They are still going strong. What's disgusting is how PP must be living in order think carpets are destroyed every 5 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


How is that a slum lord. My carpet is 17 years old and perfect shape.


Its not. PP is weird. We bought our current home 10 years ago. The carpets were not new then (but in very good shape.) They are still going strong. What's disgusting is how PP must be living in order think carpets are destroyed every 5 years.

It really depends on the quality of the carpet that was installed and how much use it has seen. Low quality carpet does not last as long.

[Anonymous]

Ok. Test them. Let us know.

You have allergies? Rashes? Chronic disease? Just thinking aloud.

If only there was an objective truth. Oh wait:

We have not found updated peer reviewed evidence that carpeted floor is unproblematic for the indoor environment. On the contrary, also more recent data support that carpets may act as a repository for pollutants which may become resuspended upon activity in the carpeted area.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5858259/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if there is anyone out there that can answer this. If you rent the same place like an apartment for a long, long time like 10, 12 years and the carpet was already old when you moved in can you get free carpet replacement? All they did was shampoo it the day before we moved in it was not new carpet. I want to ask but don't want to make anyone angry. Is carpet replacement after a certain amount of time a health requirement or a nicety they would do? Thanks!

as a renter, you should have the carpets clean each year if you plan to live their longer term

if the place is pre-1980, it's worth checking in one of the corners to see what the floor is beneath it. I grew up in NOVA in a house built in the 70's. Hardwood floors through out a majority of the house covered in wall to wall carpet even the carpets. This was the norm back then. so you might be surprised by what is underneath. if you have a decent hard floor, you could ask to take up the carpet, and just go with rugs if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if there is anyone out there that can answer this. If you rent the same place like an apartment for a long, long time like 10, 12 years and the carpet was already old when you moved in can you get free carpet replacement? All they did was shampoo it the day before we moved in it was not new carpet. I want to ask but don't want to make anyone angry. Is carpet replacement after a certain amount of time a health requirement or a nicety they would do? Thanks!

as a renter, you should have the carpets clean each year if you plan to live their longer term

if the place is pre-1980, it's worth checking in one of the corners to see what the floor is beneath it. I grew up in NOVA in a house built in the 70's. Hardwood floors through out a majority of the house covered in wall to wall carpet even the carpets. This was the norm back then. so you might be surprised by what is underneath. if you have a decent hard floor, you could ask to take up the carpet, and just go with rugs if needed.

+1 When we bought our townhome, it had not been renovated since the 70s. Turned out there were beautiful hardwoods under the wtw carpet and they had put drywall over several windows.