How Often Does A Landlord Have To Replace Carpet Or Repaint In Rental Unit?
The carpet is one of the most well-used items in a rental unit. Because of that, it can become filthy over time. If you plan on moving into a new home, you have to look into it seriously.
Are there any rules on how often a landlord has to replace a carpet or repaint a rental unit? What important things do you need to keep in mind when it comes to landlord carpet replacement?
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidelines for Carpet
An apartment rug or carpet collects dust, dirt, and pet hair. Those things, if not cleaned up properly, can cause some serious health issues. Children, for example, tend to put their hands on dirty carpets and into their mouths. They can easily end up sick because of that.
Air circulating over a dirty carpet can cause breathing problems, like asthma. Some heat registers are located right along the floor and sweep air up from the carpet. Changing the carpet can improve air quality almost instantly.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has set 7 years for the replacement of carpet in rental units. This is something you have to consider even if you have modern carpets at home. While they are durable, they can start losing their texture and color after 4 or 5 years. Their fibers might not stand up straight any longer and you’ll see matted-down patches.
How Often Should an Apartment be Repainted
Your paint is not only for appearance; it is also for insulation and protection for your walls. There is both the inner primer layer and the outer paint layer.
Some municipalities use old lead paint, so be careful and read your renting manual to see if that is a concern. Old paint chips can be a health risk.
Under city guidelines, the landlord is obligated to repaint his apartment unit every 3 years. Most of the time, they don’t do this because it would require covering all your furniture and the carpet. Where would you live while paint fumes were filling your housing unit?
Thus, if your landlord tries to force you to pay for a new carpet and paint after you leave, quote the statutes. Protect your renting rights by knowing your landlord’s obligations to provide a good, clean, and hygienic apartment.
