ohiolandlord
08-03-2008, 07:12 PM
Hello, I have a quick question. I had heard rumored that a landlord is required to change carpeting (actually replace) in an apartment every two years. Is this true? If so, I've lived in my current apartment for just short of two years, and will be leaving. Will we be forced to pay for the replacement? Oh, I also have one other question, sorry :). I was forced to pay a _non-refundable_ pet fee of $250 when I got my cat. Is this really legal? It seems insane that it is a non-refundable deposit, as my cat is well beyond the kitten stage, and hasn't messed anything up in the apartment. Also, will this non-refundable deposit be put towards any damages in the apartment (IE instead of the security deposit)? Is there any way I can apply to get this non-refundable deposit back? $250 is a lot of money going towards nothing, and seems a bit ridiculous.
A: In Ohio, a landlord does not have a legal duty to replace the carpeting in an apartment every two years. You would be forced to pay for replacement carpeting if you damaged the carpeting beyond normal wear and tear. And then you would only be forced to pay for a percentage of the value of the carpeting. If the carpeting should have lasted 7 years and it only lasted 2 years because of your abuse than you would owe 5/7 of the replacement cost.
Technically, a deposit given to the landlord to protect against damages is a security deposit. Since your pet deposit is actually a security deposit then it should be applied to other damages if none resulted from your having pets.
To get your deposit back, you need to provide written notice to your landlord of your forwarding address within 30 days of moving out.
A: In Ohio, a landlord does not have a legal duty to replace the carpeting in an apartment every two years. You would be forced to pay for replacement carpeting if you damaged the carpeting beyond normal wear and tear. And then you would only be forced to pay for a percentage of the value of the carpeting. If the carpeting should have lasted 7 years and it only lasted 2 years because of your abuse than you would owe 5/7 of the replacement cost.
Technically, a deposit given to the landlord to protect against damages is a security deposit. Since your pet deposit is actually a security deposit then it should be applied to other damages if none resulted from your having pets.
To get your deposit back, you need to provide written notice to your landlord of your forwarding address within 30 days of moving out.