Lease ending - get the carpets cleaned professionally?

Hello Brownstoners My lease expires this month and I plan on leaving the premises as clean as I can. That said, my not-so-friendly landlord sent me a certified letter asking me to get the rugs cleaned professionally. Is that the norm? There is nothing wrong with the carpets – no stains or holes etc. I am going to vaccum the whole apt and clean bathrooms etc but should I get it professionally cleaned? Isn’t that part of normal wear and tear? My other worry is my landlord would most probably not return my security deposit – no matter what. He is not a nice fella. What are my options? thanks.

jackdavis100

in Real Estate - Rentals 13 years ago

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callalily | 13 years ago

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You are only required to clean the carpet if you signed a lease saying you would. Ask your landlord if he is planning to return your security deposit. Ask your landlord to schedule a walk through with you after you vacate and clean for the purpose of assessing any damage. You can ask for security deposit then, although your landlord may say he wants to wait 30 days to make sure there are no outstanding bills in your name. Take photos of the clean, undamaged apartment and make sure they are date stamped or put a newspaper with the date visible in the photos. After 30 days if you do not recieve your security deposit, send your landlord a certified letter requesting the return of your depost and an accounting of anything owed. Take him to small claims court if he doesn’t return it. Bring printouts of the photos to court. Good luck.

curiositykilledthecat | 13 years ago

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Yes, check your lease re: professional carpet cleaning.  And great advice to take pictures as you exit, should you need them to fight for return of your deposit. Good luck, and sorry your landlord is a putz.

bkmatthew | 13 years ago

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Check your lease, which may or may not stipulate it. I’ve never heard of it in NY before, although it is standard in some parts of the world, mind you, I’ve never rented a NY apartment with carpet. In the end it may be less of a headache to get the carpets cleaned than to fight it out with a douchebag landlord.

coopfornow | 13 years ago

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Perhaps take some pictures of how clean it is when you’re done. Just in case. Good luck with it!

brooklynhouselove | 13 years ago

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I have never heard of this. Your landlord should thank his lucky stars he has someone even willing to clean the apartment before leaving. Most tenants just pack up their things and leave all the dust bunnies behind. You are not obligated to professionally clean the carpets (that’s your LL job) unless this odd stipulation was mentioned and agreed upon in the lease.  That said, your LL can deduct a fraction of the deposit for whatever he/she deems to be unrelated to normal wear and tear, i.e. majot holes in the carpets, walls etc and any other damage that was not previously there.  Good luck to you and I hope you land a nicer LL!