Rotting carpet

[Hneyland]

Jurisdiction

Arkansas

We moved into this house in mid-July. The house has new paint and the carpets were cleaned. After we moved in and started getting things in place I ran the vacuum. The vacuum filled with fibers and dust. Even after I vacuumed a room repeatedly it would still pull up filth. Landlord did hire a steam cleaning company. After they steamed I let it dry and still get fibers. They came out again, I watched them move every piece of furniture and had them dump the water out in front of me. The water was barely dirty, so they had done a thorough job. Two days later, I vacuum and fibers and dust come up. Steamcleaners say that there is nothing more they can do. This house we are renting sat empty for 4 years & the carpet is rotting from the bottom. The top looks great, it looks brand new - however it is breaking down, fibers are still pulling up and we are breathing this. Landlord's property manager says she doesn't think he'll replace the carpet. I'd think that ethically he'd want the home to be safe, but if he doesn't is he legally required? And if I pursue getting the carpet repaired through another avenue can he evict us?

 

[adjusterjack]

I'd think that ethically he'd want the home to be safe, but if he doesn't is he legally required?

Doesn't look like it. The AR landlord tenant statute is stacked in favor of the landlord:

2015 Arkansas Code :: Title 18 - Property :: Subtitle 2 - Real Property :: Chapter 17 - Arkansas Residential Landlord -- Tenant Act of 2007

And if I pursue getting the carpet repaired through another avenue can he evict us?

Depends on just what other avenues you use. AR has no repair and deduct so I don't know what else you can do. He can evict you for non-payment of rent, or if you are a holdover tenant after the lease is up, or if you violate any of the terms of the lease.

 

[army judge]

We moved into this house in mid-July. The house has new paint and the carpets were cleaned. After we moved in and started getting things in place I ran the vacuum. The vacuum filled with fibers and dust. Even after I vacuumed a room repeatedly it would still pull up filth. Landlord did hire a steam cleaning company. After they steamed I let it dry and still get fibers. They came out again, I watched them move every piece of furniture and had them dump the water out in front of me. The water was barely dirty, so they had done a thorough job. Two days later, I vacuum and fibers and dust come up. Steamcleaners say that there is nothing more they can do. This house we are renting sat empty for 4 years & the carpet is rotting from the bottom. The top looks great, it looks brand new - however it is breaking down, fibers are still pulling up and we are breathing this. Landlord's property manager says she doesn't think he'll replace the carpet. I'd think that ethically he'd want the home to be safe, but if he doesn't is he legally required? And if I pursue getting the carpet repaired through another avenue can he evict us?

If you want out of the lease discuss that option with your LL.

In most cases an early out fee can be negotiated to break the lease LEGALLY.

It's worth asking, you might get lucky.