Burnt Carpet in a Rental

LRchlbntly on 14/05/2020 - 15:42

Hi guys, I live in a rental property and at the start of year have managed to but 3 burns in 3 separate rooms, all accidental(1 by me, 2 by a housemate). They were all literally done in about days of each other, and we were kicking ourselves over this, but were too hesitant to tell our agent as we're both young and not sure what to do.

I've asked for advice from a couple of people and one lady (real estate agent) has said they've had their clients just pay compensation for damage, but others have said we'll need to replace the entire house. We understand that if we have to get the entire house recarpeted thats what we'll do, but trying to find best case scenario, cost wise and hopefully not losing our bond.

If anyone has been in this situation or similar one can provide assistance that would be great!!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Dandjc on 14/05/2020 - 15:48

    I had damaged carpets years ago in a rental I had. You can get that section of the carpet replaced but i can't remember the cost. They will cut out a square patch and put a new patch in.

    • Rchlbntly on 14/05/2020 - 16:02

      Ive asked some carpeting places about patching it up but they're all in the middleish of the rooms and its a waffle designed carpet, would be extremely noticeable :/

      • Muffinman01 on 14/05/2020 - 21:42

        I was in this situation a few years ago, unfortunately for me it was brand new carpet when we moved in. We weren't able to patch it and were up for the bill to replace the whole carpet in the room we were in ~$700 from memory.

        To start with we had hoped to just get it patched, but apparently the waffle style carpet doesn't patch well. In the end on the advice of the RTA we just had to replace the carpet and be done with it.

    • djsweet on 14/05/2020 - 15:57

      I would be amazed by how many threads there are on this if I hadn't been in the same position myself

  • GG57 on 14/05/2020 - 15:57

    Are you moving out?
    If you can live with it, just leave it until the end of your stay and sort out all the matters then.

    • djsweet on 14/05/2020 - 15:58

      I wouldn't leave it till the bitter end. Otherwise you may find the agent asking you to replace the whole carpet.

    • Rchlbntly on 14/05/2020 - 16:01

      Not moving out til about septempber but trying to prepare myself for what to expect

  • djsweet on 14/05/2020 - 15:57

    Been there, just get it patched. <$100. In a lot of cases you cant tell the difference.
    Also note, the expected life of carpet is 10 years. So if you have to replace the whole carpet, and it is 5 years old, you can only be asked to pay for 50% of the cost of replacement.

    • Rchlbntly on 14/05/2020 - 16:06

      Patching would be ideal but its a waffle design carpet, the crappy ones they use in cheap quick build new homes if that makes sense. But thats good to know about cost! Thanks!

      • netjock on 14/05/2020 - 16:18

        Got time to find a builder doing cheap quick build new homes using same carpet? Might be able to get it for free.

        Maybe post it on Gumtree / Air Tasker. If it is common someone will have it being ripped out or off cuts. Worth a try!

      • djsweet on 15/05/2020 - 08:36

        We also had a waffle carpet. Similar situation. They cut a piece out from inside a builtin robe and used that so it would blend. Then they replaced the carpet in the robe where it wouldn't be noticeable. Unless the carpet is brand new it doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be "fixed". Get it done professionally with receipts. Even better, get it done by the company nominated by your agent, then they can't really complain.

  • GrueHunter on 14/05/2020 - 16:20
    +3

    How do you burn carpet? Put an iron on it and walk away? Knock a space heater over and not notice? Fire up your Weber kettle indoors?

    • Wickz on 14/05/2020 - 16:25
      +3

      Most common one I read is smoking indoors. If thats what happened here… you are probably going to be asked to replace the carpet, blinds, curtains and repainted if the smell is bad enough.

    • Peter Enis on 14/05/2020 - 17:28

      I knocked an iron off the board once and it would have been on the carpet max 1-2 seconds before I could grab it, that was long enough to leave a noticeable mark.

    • Rchlbntly on 15/05/2020 - 19:52

      Hi, well my housemate works from home, and owns a heatpress and it fell off the table onto the floor, causing a burn, not intended, like in the description said it was accidental. 2nd time was a iron that fell off ironing board & 3rd was a hair dryer that was left on the floor and singed the carpet. Not from beint stupid, but purely accidental in all cases. Thanks

  • Mackeg02 on 14/05/2020 - 16:26

    do you have contents insurance?

    • Rchlbntly on 15/05/2020 - 19:57

      Unfortunately not

  • onetwothreefour on 14/05/2020 - 16:56
    +1

    Wait til you have to move out, if they make you replace the carpet now you'll probably burn it again then have to pay again for it to get fixed/replaced.

  • twinbag on 14/05/2020 - 18:25
    +1

    Tenants aren't a new for old insurance policy, even though most agents think they are. Depends how old the carpet is and how big the burns are. Make an offer for compensation, start low a be prepared to negotiate up. If it goes to tribunal they generally look at the depreciated value, and it's favourable to your case if you've tried to settle. Of course going to tribunal is a pain, so factor this into what you're willing to pay for the damage.

    • Rchlbntly on 15/05/2020 - 20:00

      Thankyou, best option i've been offered so far :)

  • Dumax on 14/05/2020 - 19:46

    Without knowing exactly where you're located there are some general principles that would underpin this situation:

    You are required to return the property in (substantially) the same condition to which you received it, less "fair wear and tear". Have a read of the Bond claims - Carpets guide. This is from NSW but the information is generally valid across the country.

    Essentially, where there is damage that exceeds "fair wear and tear" the age of the item in question must be accounted for (e.g. you cannot claim the entire cost of new carpeting for damage to a 10 year old carpet) and the cost must be to only repair the actual damage (e.g. you cannot recarpet the entire house due to a few small spots).

    Agents will often "try it on" and pressure you to recarpet the entire house / large areas that aren't damaged (usually because they want it to "match") - this is not your responsibility, you are only required to repair the damage (which doesn't necessarily mean it's to the agent's preference/satisfaction).

    Also maybe have a look around the property because often the installers will leave the carpet offcuts which could be used to repair the damage.

    For now, unless you want to repair the damage now, you're best off just leaving it for now (e.g. if it gets damaged again).

  • Euphemistic on 15/05/2020 - 06:04

    Step one get a price for a repair.

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