How long should a felt backed carpet last??

allybally273

I vacated a rental property in September and the owner is trying to claim for 2 new carpets. One has a small burn (think it was straighteners) and the other a pull (of which I have no idea why, the edges were slightly freyed)

He is trying to say this carpet would last 10 years and is trying to get me to pay 70% of 2 new carpets. Also claiming it will be around £350 for 2 carpets of this quality!!!

I am disputing this through deposit Scotland but can anyone give me an idea of how long this type of carpet should last and if there is no set time, how can I prove this so I don't have to pay £275 towards carpets that I don't believe should last that long and I don't believe they cost that much originally.

Any help appreciated!

RAS

Previous thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4820366

moneyistooshorttomention

1. What was the size of the rooms concerned?

2. What "quality level" were the carpets? That is, were they bedroom quality or the higher-quality ones used in reception rooms?

3. Did you admit the damage to the landlord, or did he discover it after you left?

If they were bedroom quality ones, then I'm not sure whether their expected lifespan would be 10 years. If they were ordinary sitting room or similar quality then I would certainly expect at least 10 years wear from them.

beeg0d

The average carpet lifespan is 10-15 years but there are MANY variables involved. a cheap fetback (note not all fetbacks are cheap and you CAN get higher quality felt) would bee conciderabley less maby 5-10 years and less still if there is no or poor quality underlay underneth.

note im a carpet fitter of 18 yesars, the lifespans ive stated above are basied on what i have seen in real world suituations ruther then some official gide that a DPS may (or may not) use.

BitterAndTwisted

Hair-straightener burn on one carpet, a pull on another and a hair-dye stain on the bathroom floor-covering. These are not necessarily the actions of a responsible tenant trying to look after their landlord's property.


I think you should pay up.

MissMoneypenny

What is the date on the receipt for the carpets?

What was their original cost?

MissMoneypenny

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Hair-straightener burn on one carpet, a pull on another and a hair-dye stain on the bathroom floor-covering. These are not necessarily the actions of a responsible tenant trying to look after their landlord's property.


I think you should pay up.

Tenants don't pay rent to "look after" someone elses property; they are paying rent for their home. It's a business contract between two (or more) people.

Accidents happen. The tenant has admitted it. Now (quite rightly) they do not want to get ripped off. The landlord claims fair wear and tear on his income tax bill. They cannot expect more from the tenant than a percentage of the carpets, based on the carpets age and quality: hence why the OP is on here asking questions.

45002

allybally wrote:

I vacated a rental property in September and the owner is trying to claim for 2 new carpets. One has a small burn (think it was straighteners) and the other a pull (of which I have no idea why, the edges were slightly freyed)

He is trying to say this carpet would last 10 years and is trying to get me to pay 70% of 2 new carpets. Also claiming it will be around £350 for 2 carpets of this quality!!!

I am disputing this through deposit Scotland but can anyone give me an idea of how long this type of carpet should last and if there is no set time, how can I prove this so I don't have to pay £275 towards carpets that I don't believe should last that long and I don't believe they cost that much originally.

Any help appreciated!

RAS wrote: »

Previous thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4820366

And this one

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?58893-How-long-should-a-cheap-carpet-last

allybally273

Hi
Thanks for your comments

Firstly I DID look after the property and it was immaculate when I left. The burn was a very small one that I presumed was my daughters hair straighteners (accidents happen), secondly the hair dye was a 'dot' and hardly noticeable and was cleaned as best I could. Thirdly the pull on the carpet I have no idea how it got there, I don't recall it being there nor was it pointed out on final inspection, only after I had been 'ushered out' so he could take photos, but the carpet was a cheap felt back looped pull carpet which I have seen similar online for £4.75m2!!!

I asked the owner for the following:-
. Proof that the carpet was in fact new when I moved into the property.
2. The price paid for the carpets (please supply original quote/invoice detailing per room).
3. The make of carpet used and where this was purchased from.
4. The sizes of the hall and the bedroom.
5. A breakdown of the quote supplied by Peter Young flooring.
6. What carpets Alana is replacing.
7. What % of my rent covered wear and tear, I understand this to be 10% of my rent payment per month.
8. Your policy on wear and tear.

And the reply was from the property management company, that the owner wishes his original quotes to be submitted to Deposit Scotland, and DID NOT answer ANY of my questions, nor did I receive an check in or check out inventory, and was only shown pictures they had taken on entry.

I also left my dishwasher (that I paid for and got installed through choice,) as a good will gesture as I thought I actually had a good relationship with the PM and owners! Albeit I had a flood in the November in my kitchen and they done nothing about it for over 5 months, and I lived with no kitchen lino for 4 months!!!! I wish I'd complained more.......

45002

allybally wrote:

Hi
Thanks for your comments

Firstly I DID look after the property and it was immaculate when I left. The burn was a very small one that I presumed was my daughters hair straighteners (accidents happen), secondly the hair dye was a 'dot' and hardly noticeable and was cleaned as best I could. Thirdly the pull on the carpet I have no idea how it got there, I don't recall it being there nor was it pointed out on final inspection, only after I had been 'ushered out' so he could take photos, but the carpet was a cheap felt back looped pull carpet which I have seen similar online for £4.75m2!!!

I asked the owner for the following:-
. Proof that the carpet was in fact new when I moved into the property.
2. The price paid for the carpets (please supply original quote/invoice detailing per room).
3. The make of carpet used and where this was purchased from.
4. The sizes of the hall and the bedroom.
5. A breakdown of the quote supplied by Peter Young flooring.
6. What carpets Alana is replacing.
7. What % of my rent covered wear and tear, I understand this to be 10% of my rent payment per month.
8. Your policy on wear and tear.

And the reply was from the property management company, that the owner wishes his original quotes to be submitted to Deposit Scotland, and DID NOT answer ANY of my questions, nor did I receive an check in or check out inventory, and was only shown pictures they had taken on entry.

I also left my dishwasher (that I paid for and got installed through choice,) as a good will gesture as I thought I actually had a good relationship with the PM and owners! Albeit I had a flood in the November in my kitchen and they done nothing about it for over 5 months, and I lived with no kitchen lino for 4 months!!!! I wish I'd complained more.......

That was kind of you leaving a dishwasher :beer:

allybally273

Wish I hadn't now!!! :-(