Can you request a Landlord to pay for Carpet Cleaning?

July 13, 2023

If you rent your home or business, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whose responsibility certain maintenance tasks are.  You don’t own the property, so it is easy to make a case that it is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain it.  Your landlord didn’t dirty the carpet, however - you did.  So when is it your job to pay for carpet cleaning, and when is it your landlord’s?


Unfortunately there is no clear, easy answer to this question.  Some rental contracts will provide clear guidance on maintenance issues, so reading through your contract might give you some insight.  If your contract is vague or silent on the issue, here are a few guidelines that might help you determine responsibility.


One situation in which carpet cleaning is clearly the landlord’s responsibility is when you have not yet moved into the property.  If, during your pre-move in walk-through, you notice that the carpet is dirty, you can absolutely request that it be cleaned (at the landlord’s expense) before you move in. 


Another situation in which a landlord might pay for carpet cleaning is if major repairs (that were not your fault) require contractors to work inside the property.  If these contractors left the carpet muddy, stained, or just filthy, you can request that the carpet be cleaned after the work is complete.  Your landlord might even be able to ask the contractor to pay for this cleaning, making them much more likely to help you clean up the mess.


Aside from rare situations like this, carpet cleaning after you move in is generally viewed as routine maintenance and is therefore the responsibility of the tenant.  You don’t expect your landlord to vacuum your floors or clean your bathrooms, so it is reasonable to expect to provide your own carpet cleaning as well. 


So while many landlords will not pay for carpet cleaning on request, there are some who include regular maintenance services in their contracts.  To these landlords, it is worth the extra expense to ensure that their properties are well maintained and that their tenants are happy.  If services like carpet cleaning are important to you, be sure to ask if they are provided when searching for a property to rent. 


It also never hurts to ask your landlord!  If you have been a great tenant, a good landlord might be willing to pay for carpet cleaning to maintain a good relationship with you and keep you as their tenant.  Just be aware when you ask that they have every right to say “no”. 


Even if your landlord will not pay for carpet cleaning, there is still good news.  Since carpet cleaning is generally viewed as routine maintenance, you as the tenant also have every right to have it done at your own expense.  You don’t usually need your landlord’s permission to hire a professional carpet cleaner - in fact, most landlords will be grateful that you took such great care of their property!


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