How often should a landlord replace a carpet?

Carpets can easily become damaged or stained during tenancies. Red wine spillage, makeup stains, hair dye disasters, pet damage, fire damage, or the like can all cause irreversible damage to carpets. It can. be difficult to know how often you would need to replace your carpets as a landlord.

In cases such as these, landlords should replace carpets immediately. If the tenant was at fault, the cost of this can be deducted from their tenancy deposit. But even if carpets are not damaged, landlords should generally look to replace carpets every 5 years or so to keep your property looking and feeling fresh.

How Can I Assess Carpet Wear?

You should carefully examine carpets by observing the edges and areas where furniture was once positioned to identify its original state. Compare this with high-wear sections and you can calculate the anticipated lifespan. Always take into account any odours and extensive stains, and incorporate these into your evaluations. Assess whether the carpet is genuinely “Fit for Purpose” and if it aligns with the reasonable expectations for the rent paid. 

Does a landlord have to replace a carpet?

No, there is no law or requirement for landlords to replace the carpets in their properties. Essentially, it depends on personal preference and of course the current state and quality of your carpets. Investing in high-quality carpets could buy you a few extra years before you should think about replacing them. Renting to careful and house-proud tenants could also extend the life of your carpets.

In theory, you could keep the same carpets in your property for ten years or more, but this may affect your property’s appeal when searching for new tenants. Plus, carpets are known to hang onto odours (not to mention dust, dirt, insects and allergens) which, over the years, can make your property offputting.

Can the cost of replacement carpets come from the tenancy deposit?

Yes, the cost of replacement carpets can come off the tenancy deposit provided that the reason for replacing them is due to damage caused by the tenant. This damage could be burns, stains and rips. 

You cannot charge your tenant for replacing your carpet if the damage is down to fair wear and tear. It goes without saying that after a few years of being lived in, your property won’t be as pristine as it was before and this is especially true for your carpets. They may be looking a little worn and tired but this is not something that you can expect the tenancy deposit to cover the cost for. 

Landlord tips for maintaining your property’s carpet

To make your life easier, take steps to ensure that your property’s carpets stay fresher for longer. Firstly, it may sound obvious, but investing in good-quality carpets will put you in good stead. A good-quality carpet will withstand the test of time and resist becoming worn and threadbare for longer.

You could also get carpets professionally cleaned between tenancies to keep them looking and smelling fresh and to avoid a build-up of dirt and dust. This will also make your property more attractive to potential new tenants. 

It may even be worth considering hard flooring for the majority of the floorspace within your property. Hard flooring is much easier to clean and maintain and is less prone to stains. 

Want to find out more about how the specialist landlord insurance policies we offer at CIA Landlords can provide coverage for your carpets and plenty more? Get in touch today by calling us on 01788 818 670 or emailing us at info@cia-insurance.co.uk.