Fairfax County

A tenant rented an older apartment because the landlord said it would be renovated. However, there is no new paint or carpets, the air conditioner is noisy, there is no microwave, and the tile is very old. What can the tenant do to make the landlord improve these things?

It can be very difficult to enforce a verbal agreement if the landlord doesn’t do what was promised or refuses to upgrade older appliances, worn carpeting or paint that is not fresh. While § 55.1-1220 the VRLTA requires a landlord to make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition, there is no requirement to paint or replace carpet between tenancies. Put the request in writing with as much detail as possible. If the landlord does not respond, contact the Department of Code Compliance to find out if these conditions are possible violations of the VUSBC and contact Consumer Affairs to discuss options such as voluntary mediation.

Do ask, in writing:

https://www.realtor.com/advice/rent/how-often-does-a-landlord-have-to-replace-carpet/

This is useful:

https://caretaker.com/learn/habitability/habitability

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

Sorry *mentioned.

Anonymous wrote:If you are in DC, absolutely. Look at the DC tenant bill or rights.

I looked up Tenant Bill of Rights for DC I don't see carpet or paint being mentined.

Anonymous wrote:What the OP describes is absolutely illegal in DC. Repainting, cleaning, replacing have to be done much more often

I didnt know any of this! I'm in VA does VA not have any rules like this? Where would I look.

Anonymous wrote:If you are in DC, absolutely. Look at the DC tenant bill or rights.

I did not know that!!! I'm in VA though. Are there no rules here? Thank you!

It's a company and I'm afraid to ask. It's at least 18+ years old and really, really flat like nothing left to it at all. It's in VA. Do you have to change it every 5 years in VA? Thanks for writing me back!

What the OP describes is absolutely illegal in DC. Repainting, cleaning, replacing have to be done much more often

If you are in DC, absolutely. Look at the DC tenant bill or rights.

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.

Individual landlord or company? If it’s a large building, no harm in asking.

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!