I am trying to verify I can charge for carpet cleaning when a renter leaves the carpet dirty with traffic dirt. This not wear and tear as some cleaning companies claim (they just don't want to put the effort into the job to get it clean). When they arrive it's clean so if I have to clean it when they leave, I deduct it from security. I don't buy that it's my cost of "turn over" I am entitled to get it back "clean" no partial clean completely clean. Nothing about clean is wear and tear. Wear and tear is the natural wear given proper care and maintenance over time (I actually remove the word "tear" from my rental agreements which is a word that has the wrong application and abused). So when a carpet wears a seam can begin to separate or the carpet fibers begin to wear down, but dirt is dirt and that is part of cleaning including carpets. Now if I need to paint or replace carpets that's on me as long as it's not damage from the tenant. I see carpet companies say it's the landlords responsibility and I don't know where they get their info, but I'm sure they don't want to deal with a tenant either. --68.110.xx.xxx

After the tenant moves out I sue my Hover World Win Tunnel machine with a clear tank that collects dirt. I can take a picture of the canister empty then full after vacuuming the rental. This can help prove I needed to have the carpet professionally cleaned. --47.155.xx.xxx

Haven’t had this issue yet, but if tenant signs and agrees it should look better if a LL has to go to court over carpet cleaning charges. --66.76.xxx.xx

I've always told departing tenants that the carpets need to be professionally cleaned at their expense and that I use my regular guy who gives me a great discounted deal for around $125. Most tenants have been happy with that offer...without having to hassle with doing the cleaning themselves. --71.198.xxx.xxx

Yes the tenants must professionally clean the carpet and attach a copy of the receipt or they get charged for it. Clearly stated in the move out instructions. --65.188.xxx.xxx

DIRT is not wear and tear. Worn down carpet is wear & tear, not dirty carpet. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Duplexes, multis, could possibly do something like require a tenant to buy a rug at move in, I dunno. No multis fer me! --70.92.xxx.xxx

Cleaning is housekeeping. It's in my lease and who to call and the phone number. Must be my specific company. He cleans to my satisfaction --172.58.xxx.xx

Not eagles, I have the dogs g that howls a lot. I need to proof better! --70.92.xxx.xxx

--108.230.xxx.xx

If you go cheap on your lease, you pay for it else where --24.101.xxx.xxx

Great response and mostly inline with my thinking too good to confirm this thank you. I should mention I rent a fully furnished and equipped condo (aka vacation rental) but I rent for extended periods of time (min a month) not nightly or weekly with security and cleaning deposits required too. I also have runners in high traffic areas to help keep carpets clean. I clean the carpets once a year maintenance and have great guy that doesn't saturate my carpets, very clean and drys almost instantly. But cleaning the carpet after a tenant moves out is on them to restore it to the clean they got it in, but I also want to use my own guy or they will destroy the carpet trying to do it themselves on the cheap and carpet is expensive. I don't like laminate wood or tile in the whole house only in kitchen and baths for one it increases noise levels and then you have to put in rugs which also need cleaning too. I will consider putting it my rental agreement, but I worry that just gives them a heads up to try and clean it themselves and argue over it. I have problems with some peoples interpretation of what clean is even though they inspect the place upon arrival and have to sign a inspection on how clean it was when they got it (I take pictures for insurance too) but they still have their own version of clean which of course is less than how they got it. It's a difficult business and I have long lost the desire to be a likable landlord, money changes people's behavior no matter how nice you try to be they will turn like a rabbit dog in a minute and refuse to except any responsibility, so you just have to be prepared for end. --68.110.xx.xxx

--76.178.xxx.xxx

Bad news about the Allure. I just did the living room, dining room, kitchen of one house in Allure and planned to do the bedrooms in the matching allure when the tenant moved out. --76.178.xxx.xxx

Since most of my tenants stay for long periods of time, I just replace the carpet with new carpet when a tenant move out. I have a flooring contractor that does it for a reasonable price. It also help with tenants stating that it was mess up from the tenant before. I have proof the carpet was brand new and charge them for any damage when moving out. --76.221.xxx.xxx

My lease states that the carpets must be cleaned by a truck mounted machine AFTER the tenants move their stuff out. If they have been there for a long time I waive that as I'm replacing the carpet. My so/cal courts are clear on paint and carpet after 5 years as fully depreciated. I am going to start pulling carpet going ahead and going to a durable surface --172.58.xx.xxx

Tenant pays a carpet cleaning fee (at time of move in) to have carpet professionally cleaned at the end of the lease term. --97.95.xxx.xxx

As noted by others .... my lease states that the tenant is responsible to have the carpets Professional cleaned at the end of the their lease. I have never had a problem with this as each incoming tenant knows and has seen the carpets were cleaned prior to their move in. --172.100.xxx.xx

In the lease, with this it states the tenants are responsible for carpet cleaning and if they cannot provide a receipt for the cleaning that it will come out of the SD. The carpet is clean when they move in and it is up to them to return it cleaned. In this property 6 rooms with carpet and the last time I had it cleaned $250+. --68.97.xxx.xx

Residents are happy they don't have to add the time and expense of finding, scheduling and paying a pro carpet cleaner. Moving is expensive. They aren't thinking about paying for the best carpet cleaning service. By prepaying the carpet cleaning fee with their deposit it's just one less thing they have to think about when moving. --24.111.xxx.xx

After 25 years there has been no problem deducting it from the deposit at move out. However, Ohio appeals court has ruled that carpet cleaning is "normal wear and tear. If contested, I expect to lose it. --107.11.xxx.xx

We give clean carpets we expect clean carpet from them when they leave and states that in our lease. --68.97.xxx.xx

Some of you are probably asking yourself, "Why would he do that?". First, they look great. Second, the last floors I had sanded cost me $2.50 per square foot for a seal coat and two top coats. Lastly, once it's done, there's not much that can damage it. If it get's scratched or even gouged, some wood filler, screen the floor, then another coat and it's good as new. --67.240.xxx.xxx

We are removing carpet from most of our units. --174.192.xx.xx

Are you referring to my post? --174.208.xx.xxx

My lease states that "LANDLORD will deduct $300 (from security deposit) for house cleaning & carpet cleaning after TENANT(s) vacate. I think it's simple, clearly stated & should hold up in Landlord & Tenant court if it has to go there. It's my upstair apartment (2nd floor) in a quadraplex. I put the vinyl flooring on the other side & the tenant downstairs complains a lot so, I didn't go back to the vinyl flooring. I have an elderly tenant under the apartment with the carpet and I want to keep her happy. She has been with me for 18 years. --24.129.xxx.xxx

--99.23.xxx.x