I had a question for people here. I have lived in many different apartments in this area over the years. NEVER have I lived in one where it is standard practice that you must have the carpet professionally cleaned in each carpeted bedroom when you move out...

The complex was owned by 1 company - and it was recently purchased by another company.

We actually moved from one unit to another when the original company owned the place. This was not a requirement.

The new company lists it as a requirement.

But, it's not in my lease (which was signed by the original company). But, I imagine that if I don't do it, I'll get stuck some kind of other way.

What do you think? Is it worth trying to fight it out on that issue?

Well, I looked at the lease. Remember - the original company did not require it, as I swapped apartments there before....

However, the lease does say: "You must follow move out cleaning instructions if they have been provided."

Admittedly, that's a way they may have me....

But, it also says: If you don't clean adequately, you'll be liable for reasonable cleaning charges - including charges for cleaning carpets, draperies, furniture, walls, etc, that are soiled beyond normal wear (that is wear or soiling that occurs without negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse."

I think "soiled beyond normal wear" is the key. The carpets look fine.

The lease does NOT specifically say the carpet must be professionally cleaned.

We have had to do that for our son - you actually had to show proof with receipt and it happened after he moved out so the landlord let them in and supervised - bad thing was it was only one bedroom apt and the bedroom was the only room done.

$250

I am in the wrong business

pretty standard these days on rent houses

my son rented a carpet cleaner from
HEB and the landlord was ok with it and the results

aggiepaintrain said:

---

pretty standard these days on rent houses

my son rented a carpet cleaner from
HEB and the landlord was ok with it and the results

---

That won't work. If you don't pay the fee for the apartment complex to do it themselves, you have to provide a receipt from a professional company. So, I can't rent one from the grocery store.

Plus, it doesn't even need to be done. The carpet is fine.

i remember when I lived in an apartment but that was 30 years ago.
Make sure you read the lease carefully on the next place.

aggiepaintrain said:

---

i remember when I lived in an apartment but that was 30 years ago.
Make sure you read the lease carefully on the next place.

---

Well, like i said - owners changed in the middle of the lease. It was not like this before.

Leases do not change. New ownership can not and will not rewrite the lease

They can not alter or add anything to a lease

What makes this so stupid is even after yall clean the carpet
Maintenance
Painter
Cleaners
Carpet cleaners

Come thru the unit Well thats how its is suppose to work

I see this often but never do make readies for apartments, only sfh,duplexes and townhomes. Every place i rented 20+ years ago in BCS required it as well.

How. much are they charging to clean the carpets ?

Yea but the theory is the dirtier the unit is, the more the owner will have to pay after the move out to get it ready so the tenant is suppose to restore it back to the same level of cleanliness as it was at move in.

What is the protocol you use on your units for move outs ?

I pay to have carpets cleaned at the end when there is no more movement in the apartment

It is just another cost that the industry has installed to make more money They already keep all or most of the deposit when somebody moves out. Regardless of how clean they left it

JP76 said:

---

I see this often but never do make readies for apartments, only sfh,duplexes and townhomes. Every place i rented 20+ years ago in BCS required it as well.

How. much are they charging to clean the carpets ?

---

$175 if you let the apartment complex do it (for 2 bedroom)

If you decide to hire it out, call Power Clean. They have always had a reasonable fee for me.

Power Clean Carpet Cleaning | College Station, TX | Carpet Cleaning

Coupons | Carpet Cleaning Services | Bryan & College Station, TX | Power Clean Carpet Cleaning

Mister Shipwreck said:

---

JP76 said:

---

I see this often but never do make readies for apartments, only sfh,duplexes and townhomes. Every place i rented 20+ years ago in BCS required it as well.

How. much are they charging to clean the carpets ?

---

$175 if you let the apartment complex do it (for 2 bedroom)

---

There aint no way they are paying 175 to clean two bedrroms or even a whole unit

maddiedou said:

---

Mister Shipwreck said:

---

JP76 said:

---

I see this often but never do make readies for apartments, only sfh,duplexes and townhomes. Every place i rented 20+ years ago in BCS required it as well.

How. much are they charging to clean the carpets ?

---

$175 if you let the apartment complex do it (for 2 bedroom)

---

There aint no way they are paying 175 to clean two bedrroms or even a whole unit

---

I called one place - they want $150.

And, on reddit, I see many people talking about this issue. They hire a service, turn in the receipts, and then the apartment tells them its not good enough and charges them anyway.

I suppose I'll just pay the $175, if the company they recommend is $150 anyway

Pay the $175 and set up a web cam to see if they actually do it. And when they don't (because we all know they won't) take them to small claims. And post it here.

What carpet company are they recommending

Give me a call. I specialize in apartments and rental units for over 10 years. My prices are way better than you think.


1St Choice Steam Cleaning.
979-220-8253

This is why I've replaced all the carpeting in my units with ceramic tile...

Equity pulled this stunt on me a number of years ago on a unit they managed, sublease was fully vetted but was filthy, move-out demanded exorbitant professional cleaning fee even though everything from the previous tenant was completely cleaned, carpet shampooed, etc.