Can I be forced to pay LL for carpet cleaning if he won't let me do it myself?

[Love My Husband]

What is the name of your state? California

Sorry to have so many questions. I am a young person who hasn't gone through any of this before.

The LL (not actually the owner, and he lives downstairs, common in the San Francisco area to share houses) has his own water damage business and does carpets and stuff. A few months back he told me not to use my own carpet cleaner/extractor (a top of the line home one by Hoover), or even a Rug Doctor, since he said that those just ruin carpet and cause damage, that only he is to clean the carpets.

I do know it's common practice to clean the carpets before leaving a place, and now that I am (he's evicting me for a cat I've had here for about a year that has been right out in the open and he's known about), I know he still won't let me clean the carpets.

The initial lease was signed August 1, 2004, and said no pets. My ex, still a very good friend, was the initial signer on the lease, and he left. A month ago a new person moved in. Since my ex left, a new lease has NOT been signed. But also on the original lease it does NOT say that only the LL can clean carpets.

I know he charges a small fortune, and am concerned that he may use this to withhold part of all of the $1000 deposit (the new person wsa never charged any deposit). Can he withhold any money if he is the one who refuses to allow me to clean the cxarpets, which I am fully capable of doing myself for far far less?

Thank you.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

The landlord has the right to maintain the demised premises and to charge a reasonable fee for supplies and hourly labor. I think you need to read Ca Civil § 1950.5(b)(3). In fact, read the entire code.

IAAL

 

[Love My Husband]

I will read that. But what you're basically saying is that he CAN tell me that I'm not allowed to do the cleaning myself.

What if I go ahead and do the cleaning and take pictures to show the place spotless? Can he still go ahead and say that I have to pay him to do it again?

To make it a little bit more complicated, there is already someone else living here and putting wear and tears on the common areas, as well as this guy's two-year-old son. This guy was never charged any deposit.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

I will read that. But what you're basically saying is that he CAN tell me that I'm not allowed to do the cleaning myself.

What if I go ahead and do the cleaning and take pictures to show the place spotless? Can he still go ahead and say that I have to pay him to do it again?

To make it a little bit more complicated, there is already someone else living here and putting wear and tears on the common areas, as well as this guy's two-year-old son. This guy was never charged any deposit.

My response:

Why are you asking me questions that were already answered? My answer to you is fairly plain and simple - - easily understood. When you've read the code section, then come back and ask me about things you haven't asked, or do not understand.

IAAL