Renting, cat scratched carpet

[Freewheelin]

the cat got shut into a bedroom accidentally and she has scratched the pile off the cheap nasty carpet at the side of the wall. Fraying black nylon mesh on view for about an inch wide and 3 long. Six month inspection due in may. Can I patch it myself? Sure I've had carpets before with bits joined together with, like gaffa tape underneath. Or get a carpet fitter to try? Or leave in full view and accept that I may be asked to repair or replace entire carpet (gulp)

You will probably get charged something for it but LL will not be able to charge you the full cost of the carpet, unless of course it was brand new when you moved in.

as noted; the landlord will get a proportion of the value of the carpet deducted from your deposit when you leave. The value will make allowances for the age of the carpet and will be a fraction of bugger-all.

BTW the 'cheapness' and 'nastiness' of the carpet is as you agreed to rent the place. Not worth putting expensive stuff in when there are pets in the house; as any homeowner would agree.

Carpet was new and is hideous but since I am on my uppers compromises had to be made.......the spotlights in every room, the crap repainting job, the single Yale lock, no bathroom lock......
The last time I rented, with all three cats and children, the carpets were much nicer and better quality. This landlord is just cheap and tasteless.

If you had an offcut of the carpet, or perhaps a piece flooring a cupboard, a carpet fitter could probably patch it.

Otherwise, I suppose you will just have to pay for the damage.

If it was new just before you moved in then you may have to replace it, so maybe it being "cheap nasty carpet" might be to your benefit !

LLs aren't allowed to profit from charging you for reasonable wear and tear. So depends a bit how long you stay there. If you've been there ages when you move out, they will let it go. Are you planning to stay long?

HaveToWearHeels true!
Beastofburden hopefully some years. I want stability for my children.

So can they make me pay now for damage or do they have to wait till I move out?

Well personally I wouldn't charge you until you left, by which time the carpet might need replacing anyway if you were staying a while, in which case after wear and tear nothing would be chargeable. I read your OP wrong sorry and thought you were leaving rather than it being a periodic check.

I wouldn't expect to charge you until you left, and then only for what is reasonable after x years of living there. I'd make an exception if you did something spectacular, but not for a few inches of cheapo carpet. Specially not if I had allowed pets in the first place.

Good, slightly relieved. Think I'll not attempt a patch.