Replacing damaged carpet - tenant

hollip0p

Hi all,

We have two house rabbits and they've nibbled the corner of the carpet in their bedroom. :mad:

Our landlord is fully aware we have the rabbits and we paid an additional pet deposit when we moved in so I don't think it's a massive issue. I'm just nervous because I've heard that new LL's sometimes (or always?) request a pet reference and I wouldn't want this to go against us if/when we move. I have considered just replacing the carpet ourselves, with one very similar to what we have now, but I'm not sure if this is a bit naughty?

The two bedrooms and the living room had matching carpets when we moved in, but they are joined by a laminate hallway. Would we be responsible for the cost of replacing all three rooms carpet so they match, or would it just be the one bedroom? The living room carpet had some marks when we moved in (an iron burn and a couple of small cigarette burns left by the previous tenant) so I don't want them to use this as an opportunity to get all their carpets replaced using our deposit if that's not what they're really entitled to.

Thanks!

kayfaz

As a landlord myself, I suggest speaking to the landlord about it and offer to cover the cost of a new carpet for the 1bedroom. He/She could either tell you where he/she bought the carpets from and depending on age you might be able to source the same one or landlord might want to use this opportunity to replace all of them and ask you to pay for the cost of 1 of the rooms.

Sjmb

You would not be required to replace all the carpets. The landlord would also have to deduct a wear and tear allowance for the carpet, so not charge you the full replacement cost.

bod1467

Bear in mind that any cost owed would be the second hand value of the carpet (pre-nibbling) and NOT the new cost to replace the carpet.

hollip0p

Thanks guys - very quick responses! :T

How would we know what to deduct for wear and tear?

DaftyDuck

I'm a landlord who (used to) rent out a property specifically targeted at pets and their keepers. I always expected a slight bit more damage, and budgeted (and bought - sofas in particular were cheaper, but large enough for dog in the middle) with this in mind.

I was always pretty relaxed by the damages done, not least because the tenants were honest and upfont, without fail. I'd settle for a patch repair (DIY) if it's in a corner, and I'd give you bonus points for referring to it as

the carpet in their bedroom.

. I have always preferred pet-owning tenants over child-rearing ones...

You may not get the same reaction, of course, so your attitude probably should reflect anything you know of your landlord.

We had house rabbits as a young couple, and delightful companty they were too. {Another thread somewhere about today seemed amazed at the idea of litter-trained rabbits; 'tis easy, and they are super clean pets}. The downside of our hunnybuns was their habit of stripping the wallpaper. Any small nick low down was nibbled at, then a full-blown up-on-hindleg-whoosh, and a huge chunk was pulled off.

We were renting, but luckily the LL was a very understanding vet. We did patch it all up, however.

thesaint

bod1467 wrote: »

Bear in mind that any cost owed would be the second hand value of the carpet (pre-nibbling) and NOT the new cost to replace the carpet.

The cost owed would not be the second hand value.

G_M

What is it with tenants keeping rabbits all of a sudden?

DaftyDuck

They certainly put a smile on your face, if not more...

bod1467

thesaint wrote: »

The cost owed would not be the second hand value.

Care to elaborate?

The general legal principle is that if one party suffers loss/damage then the remedy must be proportionate and not lead to betterment. Therefore if the carpet was 8 years old (for example) then the remedy is to replace it with an 8 year old carpet (or a monetary amount to the equivalent value)... replacing with a new carpet would be betterment.

I've explained why I believe I'm right. Now it's your turn to explain why you think I'm wrong.

bod1467

Still waiting on your rebuttal to my argument.