Simply Camden

Apartment carpet is generally neutral. It’s the perfect canvas to accommodate any decor.

Consumers have a different expectation of carpet when they are moving into an apartment or home than when they are moving out of the  dwelling.

Unless you are renting an apartment that has never been occupied, you should never expect new carpet.  Carpet is generally meant to be neutral and in good condition in any rental dwelling.  Carpet is not designed to be the “WOW” factor, but it shouldn’t be the “Woah…” factor, either. Expect to accent your furnishings, complete your decor and protect traffic areas with area rugs.

Area rugs offer a finished look to your decor.

Carpet can last a really long time if it is properly cared for. Think about how long you had the carpet in your family home or in the homes of your relatives over the years. (Memory trigger: Plastic/Vinyl tacked down paths over the carpet and plastic covered sofas.  Does anyone remember that?!?!? )

If you are moving out of a rental and the carpet is damaged beyond “typical” or “normal” wear and tear, the owner must decide if it’s possible to repair the carpet or if it must be replaced.  Should the carpet actually be replaced or should you have the stain repaired?  The decision should be fair to the owner as well as the person responsible for the damage.  Ultimately it must maintain the rental value for prospective renters.  There is rarely a win/win solution.   The owner is not going to “win” in any scenario since they are never able to fully recover the cost of the new carpet.  Most owners depreciate the carpet by calculating how long it was used versus the life expectancy.   The charge to the responsible party is usually less than the cost of replacement.

Carpet is vulnerable but easy to manage with minor adjustments based on your household composition and habits.  I hate to be cliché but yet another point for the ”ounce of prevention”.