Can your landlord charge for the carpet?

Q: Can my landlord charge for carpet cleaning?

In California, a landlord can't make you pay for professional carpet cleaning unless it's reasonably needed to return the place to its move-in condition, not counting normal wear. In Washington, no charging for wear from ordinary use, and no carpet cleaning charge unless the landlord documents wear beyond it. In Missouri, a lease can set a carpet cleaning fee if it also says you may owe actual costs beyond normal wear; the landlord can keep only what was actually spent and owes a receipt within 30 days. In Oregon, machine carpet cleaning can be deducted only if the carpet was cleaned or replaced before you moved in and the written lease allows the charge even if you clean it yourself.

Q: Can they charge me for new carpet?

In Colorado, a landlord can't keep your deposit for new carpet throughout the unit unless there's substantial, irreparable damage beyond normal wear that wasn't there before you moved in, and carpet that wasn't replaced with new carpet in the 10 years before the lease ended or you moved out can't count as that damage (rule effective January 1, 2026). In Washington, if only part is damaged, they can't charge more than fixing or replacing that part. In California, they can't charge for wear and tear that built up over your stay or earlier tenancies.

Q: What if the stain was there when I moved in?

California and Colorado bar deposit charges for damage that was there before you moved in. New York bars charges for damage caused by a prior tenant. If you noted the stain on a move-in checklist, ask the landlord for a copy.

Often not. Flattened or faded carpet from everyday living is normal wear and tear, and California, Colorado, Texas and Washington don't let landlords take that out of your deposit. Stains, burns and pet damage you caused are different. In a few states, a carpet clause in your lease can change the answer.

What counts as normal wear on a carpet?

Wear from using the place the way it's meant to be used. That's how Texas defines it, and it leaves out damage from carelessness, accidents or abuse. Texas bars charging your deposit for it. (Prop. Code §92.001(4), §92.104(b))

So a worn path down the hall is wear. A candle burn isn't.

Can my landlord charge for carpet cleaning?

California: they can't make you pay for professional carpet cleaning unless it's reasonably needed to get the place back to how it was when you moved in, not counting normal wear. (Civ. Code §1950.5(e)(2)(C))
Washington: no charging for wear from ordinary use, and no carpet cleaning charge unless they document wear beyond it. (RCW 59.18.280(1)(c)(i), (ii))
Missouri: your lease can set a carpet cleaning fee, but only if it also tells you that you may owe actual costs beyond normal wear. They can keep only what they actually spent, and they owe you a receipt within 30 days. (§ 535.300.4(2))
Oregon: machine carpet cleaning can come out of your deposit only if the carpet was cleaned or replaced before you moved in and your written lease says they can charge for it even if you clean it yourself. (ORS 90.300(7)(c)(A))

Cities can add their own rules. Tap your state for details.

Can they charge me for new carpet?

Colorado: no charging for new carpet throughout the place unless there's substantial damage beyond normal wear that can't be fixed and wasn't there before you moved in. If the carpet wasn't replaced in the 10 years before your lease ended or you moved out, it can't count. In effect since January 1, 2026. (C.R.S. § 38-12-103(11))
Washington: if only part of it is damaged, they can't charge more than fixing or replacing that part. (RCW 59.18.280(1)(c)(iv))
California: no charging for wear and tear that built up over your stay or earlier ones. (Civ. Code §1950.5(e)(2)(A))

What if the stain was there when I moved in?

In these states, it isn't yours to pay for.

California: nothing that was there before you moved in. (Civ. Code §1950.5(e)(2)(A))
Colorado: no damage or defect that was there before your tenancy. (C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1)(a))
New York: no damage caused by a prior tenant. (GOL §7-108(1-a)(b))

Wrote it on your move-in checklist? Ask for a copy.

How do I push back on a carpet charge?

Ask in writing for the carpet invoice or receipt, the date the carpet was put in, and your move-in checklist. Then check your deadline. In New York and Washington, missing it means they owe you the whole deposit. (GOL §7-108(1-a)(e); RCW 59.18.280(2))

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Last updated October 20, 2026. Checked against each state's official law. General information, not legal advice.