I live in California. I just moved into an apartment where others have been living in for about three years, basically one of the roomates needs to move out and I'm taking his place. The carpet is not just bad it's horrible! It's even got burned spots from previous tenants, theirs been so many people moving in and out. The manager won't change the carpet or even have it clean because she says that I am moving into an apartment that is still being occupied and she says why would we change it so you guys can burn the new carpet.. what!. im new.. and the people who damaged the carpet are not living here anymore. Ok.. and then she says I have to pay 1000 dollar deposit for my two cats to cover any rug damages they do.. im confused.. what damages, it's already ruined. It's already damaged!. I don't feel it's fair for her to charge me a deposit when the carpet is already shot and she's seen how bad it is.
Do I have to pay a pet deposit when the apartment is already damaged??

Yes you do. The landlord sets the terms, and you have little to no control over them. Although, you should check the lease as it will outline their pet policy. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Make sure that you get documentation of exactly how badly damaged the carpter, and everything else for that matter, is. Print a list up of everything that is broken or damaged, and have the landlord sign it. That way, you shuoldn't be held responsible for things that you didn't damage while living there.

I would not move into this apartment if you still have the chance to back out. If the people who are already there have damaged the carpet (and who knows what else) any deposit you pay you probably won't see again. Plus they might just be blaming the guys who already moved out since it's easier.

That being said, if you do move in sadly yes you have to pay. If your adding you name to the lease you are partly responsible for the damages from the beginning to the end of the lease and would have to sue the other roommates to recover your $1000 once your all out of that place.

When the other tenants moved out did their security deposit get returned?