Oregon Security Deposit Carpet Cleaning
Landlords can only keep money from the security deposit for damages that are beyond normal wear and tear.
Oregon security deposit carpet cleaning. And the longer a tenant has lived in a place the more wear and tear can be expected. My conclusion that carpet cleaning provisions are valid does not affect the prohibition against deducting carpet cleaning expenses from a tenant s security deposit as a means of enforcing such provisions. Landlords also can deduct from a security deposit to cover lost rent incurred because of being unable to rent out a unit while cleaning or completing repairs. For example if a tenant left the carpet stained dirty and or ripped then the carpet would be damaged beyond.
1 a reasonable hourly rate for the cleaning or repair work actually performed. 2 a except as otherwise provided in this section a landlord may require a tenant to pay a security deposit. Returning the security deposit. Oregon landlords must follow certain procedures when returning a tenant s security deposit ors 90 300 12.
Some states prohibit landlords from withholding money from the deposit for basic cleaning. The landlord shall hold a security deposit or prepaid rent for the tenant who is a party to. Typically landlords may use a tenant s security deposit for any cleaning or repairs necessary to restore the rental unit to its condition at the beginning of the tenancy landlords may not however use the deposit to cover the costs of ordinary wear and tear. The landlord shall provide the tenant with a receipt for any security deposit the tenant pays.
Landlords are required to provide tenants with a receipt for any security deposit paid and the amount should be stated in the lease agreement ors 90 300 2. Security deposits are for the benefit and protection of the landlord in the event that something on the property is. If the carpet cleaning does not exceed a professional cleaner s normal rate and the carpet doesn t have any actual damage. 1 as used in this section security deposit includes any last month s rent deposit.
2 carpet cleaning if it was cleaned immediately prior to your move in and your rental agreement says they can charge for this even if you clean the carpet. Normal wear and tear means the declining condition of the rental property that occurs over time even though the tenant has been regularly cleaning and maintaining the property. The accompanying note cites carpet cleaning as an example of an impermissible basis for withholding a portion of a security deposit. Carpet cleaning can be included only if the cleaning was done by a machine specifically designed to clean carpets and the carpet also was cleaned right before the tenant moved into the unit.
Below is information that is listed by the california department of consumer affairs www dca ca gov regarding deductions on these specific items. In disputes over security deposits courts have often considered basic carpet cleaning to be part of normal wear and tear.