Apartment dwellers...your opinion please...

[Cathyclysmic]

So Beast Man and I have lived in our apartment for three years. When we moved in the carpet was not new, just steam cleaned. I am a wee bit of a neat freak and the beige carpet is no longer beige. We even steam cleaned the thing last year. It's still relatively bad.

I dropped off our renewed lease and mentioned it, the maintenance lady says they never replace carpet except for floods and such. She acted really taken aback that I would ask for such a thing as new carpet. So, am I out of line or justified? Open for suggestions here.

[progmom]

1. my brother has gotten new carpets, new kitchen counters

...a new stove... All he has to do is mention it to the rental office at the complex.

Sorry your people are being tight-asses. x(

[Cathyclysmic]

7. They are usually accommodating

I hope I just caught her on a bad day. Thanks.

[Haole Girl]

I lived in apartments for many years

And you were not out of line. Though, I never (in 10 years of apartment living) saw one replaced unless someone had moved out. Sorry to be the bearer of the bad news.

[Cathyclysmic]

10. Thanks

I know profit wise, it does not make any sense to replace a carpet until someone leaves. So, I think we are screwed. I'm pricing laminate wood flooring( it appeals to the neat freak in me that has a pukey cat)...it's tax deductible to make improvements to your apartment.

[Harley Quinn]

2. Depends on you city codes, I think.

I've had both.

In some apartments, they change the carpet after two or three tenants. (They have to paint too.) The one I'm in now, I actually cleaned it out myself for a major break off the security deposit.

I guess it's the difference between nice place and slum lord!

[Cathyclysmic]

8. Thanks

I will look into it.

[Deep13]

3. You're not out of line for asking about an improvement.

Asking the landlady if she still has her original teeth might be out of line.

[Cathyclysmic]

11. hmm, I really don't want to know

[dolo amber]

4. Picky, picky

:eyes:

I missed you this weekend! :hug:

[Cathyclysmic]

12. Ann Arbor is nice in the summer

AKA..hint, hint

[Lars39]

5. Nice area rugs do wonders.

I remember some '70 era carpet we were stuck with once. :shudder:

[eyesroll]

6. I think it's OK to ask, but the landlord likely isn't obligated to

replace the carpet unless it's thoroughly unusable. (At least in Wisconsin, the landlord is not obligated to fix cosmetic problems -- a water stain on a ceiling, for instance -- but s/he is obligated to fix the broken pipe that caused it.)

Perhaps invest in some area rugs?

[Mutley]

9. I'm still trying to get vertical blinds so I can walk around my

living room without being seen from outside. x(

Good luck, though.

[NMMNG]

19. Have a guy walk around naked in front of the window every evening

Preferably one who is not entirely easy on the eyes. You should get your blinds post haste. :rofl:

[Beware the Beast Man]

13. Techincally, our carpet is still in decent shape.

Aesthetically, however, that is another story. Let's dye the carpet like Hildy did on Trading Spaces. :P

[Cathyclysmic]

14. Ohhhh...Black!11!!!!

That would work. Wood laminate floors are still on sale...just throwing that out to the ethers for your approval.

[KT2000]

15. Consider yourself lucky

Many carpets are made with neurotoxic chemicals that have made people permanently sick. (Talking here about short term memory loss and other lovely problems) It is the backing on the carpet that is the major problem.
It is possible to get safer carpets but it is not likely that landlords such as yours would put the work into finding such carpets.
Just try using area rugs over the carpet that is there.

[Cathyclysmic]

16. If you think about it, it's the Democrat's fault

Back in the early '70's there was a push to make material flame retardant. Now most fabrics made or sold have a chemical treatment that make them flame retardant and neuro-toxic. Progress sucks, sometimes. Just don't lick the carpet, you'll be fine.

[KT2000]

17. Really ?

The neurotoxins get into the brain through the nose - breathing the air it goes right into the olfactory bulb.
These chemical also get into the body through the skin.
It's not just the flame retardants - the chemical used in the backing has the worst neurotoxins.
Carpet manufacturers were left to voluntarily clean up their act.
Progress is more brain damaged people.

[951-Riverside]

18. Ive rented a place for 5 yrs and I never bothered to ask for new carpeting

At my current location its a battle for me to get leaks repaired, hell I'm scared even to ask him if I can install a satellite dish. When I first moved in I almost got evicted but thank goodness an advocacy group was able to intervene.

[REP]

20. I've Been in my Place 8 Years - Refused New Carpeting

I really, really hate te way new carpet smells, and it'd just be more ugly beige carpet, so who the hell cares?

[Neshanic]

21. I am in that exact same situation.

Going on signing another lease for a third year, and I asked that the carpet be replaced. They said they would not as it was new when I moved in. When I asked for the installation verification, they backed up and said they made a mistake. Ongoing right now, but new houses, never lived with two car garages and four bedrooms are the same rent as this. I may move.

[Darth_Kitten]

22. Justified....

if the carpet is in such a bad state, it should have been replaced.