Hello,

I live in an apt complex and recently damged the hallway carpet outside of my apt by placing a hot item on the floor and it burned through the carpet causing damage less than a square foot. I called the landlord and it was 4months before they got back to me. They sent a ltter stating they were charging me for only a portion of the carpet and not the entire hallway. The apt manager claimed it's going to cost thousands of dollars and they are doing me a favor. When I asked for the estimates of the bill they refused saying it had no bearing and legally I am responsible for the entire floor.

Can someone tell me what my legal rights are? The carpet is at least 2yrs (that's how long I've lived there) and my guess probably around 5yrs. Does age or value of the carpet come into factor?

Thanks,
Andrew H

Hello Andrew:

If the section of the carpet you ruined can be fixed, you're responsible for that expense. If they need to replace the WHOLE carpet, then you're going to be responsible for THAT.

Yes, you'll be given credit for depreciation. Once they fix it, I wouldn't pay WITHOUT seeing the bill.

excon

Do you have tenants insurance? It might cover it! But excon is right.

They're telling me the whole carpet needs to be replaced. The building I live in is 3 stories and they say I'm responsible legally for all 3 floors because the carpet in the building needs to be same through out the building. They won't show me the bill and they say they are only going to charge me $100 since I'm such a "good" customer.

Would I really be responsible for the whole building or are they full of crap?

Andrew

Hello again, drew:

I think they're fulla crap... But, let 'em think they're fooling you. Take the $100 offer.

excon

PS> Get it in writing!

It just pisses me off because they told me the carpet was discontinued and I found some at Menards for .63 sq ft. Then they said the whole building needs to be replaced. I know $100 isn't that much, but I could have said nothing since it was the hallway and they never would have known. It doesn't always pay doing the right thing.

Andrew
P.S. I will for sure get it in writing.