Deduction Dispute
Landlord Keeping Deposit for Carpet — What You Can Do
Carpet has a useful life of 5–10 years. Even if your landlord has a legitimate reason to replace it, they must prorate the cost based on how long you lived there. If you were there 5+ years, you likely owe nothing.
How Carpet Depreciation Works
Your landlord cannot charge you the full cost of new carpet. They must depreciate it based on the carpet's age and useful life. Here's how the math works:
| Years Lived There | Carpet Cost: $2,000 | You Owe (7yr life) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $2,000 | $1,714 |
| 2 years | $2,000 | $1,429 |
| 3 years | $2,000 | $1,143 |
| 4 years | $2,000 | $857 |
| 5 years | $2,000 | $571 |
| 6 years | $2,000 | $286 |
| 7 years | $2,000 | $0(nothing) |
Use our deduction checker to calculate your exact depreciated amount.
Calculate your carpet depreciation →Valid vs. Invalid Carpet Deductions
Normal Wear and Tear:
- ×Matting in high-traffic areas — can't charge
- ×Slight fading or discoloration — can't charge
- ×Wear patterns near doors/hallways — can't charge
- ×Minor indentations from furniture — can't charge
- ×General aging and thinning — can't charge
Beyond Normal Wear:
- ✓Large permanent stains — may charge (depreciated)
- ✓Pet urine damage — may charge (depreciated)
- ✓Burn marks — may charge (depreciated)
- ✓Tears or rips — may charge (depreciated)
- ✓Water damage from tenant negligence — may charge (depreciated)
What to Do About It
Calculate the depreciated amount
Enter the carpet charge and how long you lived there. Even if the charge is partially valid, depreciation likely reduces it significantly.
Check your deductions →Demand the difference
Send a demand letter for the overcharged amount. Cite the depreciation rules and your state's law on normal wear and tear.
Generate a demand letter →File in small claims if needed
Bring the depreciation math to court. Judges understand useful life calculations and routinely rule against landlords who charge full replacement cost.
Small claims court guide →Common Questions
Can my landlord charge me for carpet replacement?
It depends on how long you lived there and the condition of the carpet. Carpet has a useful life of 5-10 years. If you lived there for 7 years and the carpet was new when you moved in, it's near the end of its life — your landlord can't charge you full replacement cost. They must prorate based on remaining useful life.
What counts as carpet damage vs. normal wear?
Normal wear includes: matting in high-traffic areas, slight discoloration, minor wear patterns from furniture. Damage includes: large stains that won't come out, burns, pet damage (urine, scratching), tears, or holes. The key is whether the condition goes beyond what normal, careful living would cause.
My landlord wants to charge $3,000 for new carpet. Is that fair?
Even if carpet replacement is justified, $3,000 for the full cost is almost never fair. Your landlord must depreciate the cost. If carpet costs $3,000 and has a 7-year useful life, and you lived there 5 years, you'd only owe $857 (2/7 of the cost). Many landlords try to charge the full replacement cost — this is an invalid deduction.
Your landlord owes you the depreciated difference.
Calculate what the carpet charge should actually be, then demand the rest back.