any Landlords around? I've damaged a carpet, what should I do?

[IWillAlwaysBeinaClubWithYouin1973]

In rental for 2 months, it's a 6 month contract. I've ruined a carpet, I don't think I can be saved it was pale grey and I was very sick on it due to a virus - could be classed as a genuine accident I suppose? I've tried everything on it including peroxide and ammonia, carpet cleaning company said they doubt they can get stains out; would cost £300 to try. Its a 10x10 room so really could just get a new carpet for that!

Should I confess to landlord now and see if they want to claim it on their landlord's insurance - is that even a thing? Or should I just wait and they can take cost of new carpet from deposit? Awkward as it is, I know they can claim it from deposit and I think that might be the fairest thing? There is no estate agent as such, they just did the "finding" and the landlord is meant to be managing it themselves but I know they are not the best at knowing what's legal or what's reasonable they are youngish people who've never rented out before. I want to be fair to them, but don't want them to get upset and want to evict me over it! I paid 6 months rent in advance. At the end I think they want to move back in here.

Just let them know you have had an accident and are willing to replace the carpet, I rent a property out and as long as the replacement is of a similar quality.It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

Try Dr Beckmann carpet cleaner

I'd contact the landlord and ask what they want me to do - pay the professional cleaning fee or replace the carpet like for like.

I am a landlord - I would appreciate the contact for sure whilst the tenancy is in place as it can be rectified without causing any delays after the tenancy has ended.

If the carpet is ‘old’ then I’d probably just say to clean as much as you can - Rug Doctor works well and then just replace it when they’ve moved out. I can imagine it will only be a couple hours max for a carpet fitter to do.

If it is new then absolutely, I’d be asking the tenant to replace at their expense and I’d expect it done before the end of the tenancy.

I had a tenant once who was pet sitting a dog for their friend, they brought it into the house and left it whilst they went to work, came back and all the carpet in the lounge and vinyl in the kitchen was damaged. I’d only had it put down 3 months prior when they moved in! I absolutely insisted that they put it right - think it cost them at least £500/£600 - an expensive mistake and a lesson learnt!

Just tell your landlord what happened, send some pics and explain what you've tried so far.

If the carpet is old he/she may be happy to replace it as it was an accident. More likely they will ask you to cover the cost of replacement or pay for professional cleaning. If you are going to move out at the end of your contract they will probably replace it then.

I wouldn't say anything. Clean it as best you can and see what happens when you move out. It's not like you did it deliberately.

@Thameslock

but plenty of landlords would mind/have a preference.

the OP has already said toe young LL's are moving back in at the end of the 6 month tenancy.

in that situation, as the LL, I'd want to know & have it replaced to match the other carpet in the house other whatever. Sorting the cost out between LL insurance, tenants contents insurance, deduction from deposit or whatever suits both parties best.

@IWillAlwaysBeinaClubWithYouin1973

sadly you have wrecked the carpet with all those chemicals, in future only use water and towels or any extraction machine (without chemicals) & if you get it commercially now, don't be surprised if you get a green or orange stain. Unless you have a commercial extraction machine, don't put chemicals on carpets.

I have accidental insurance on my contents insurance. It covers this sort of thing.
long shot, might be worth checking yours?

I would apologise when I moved out and they can take any costs out of the deposit. If it’s a new carpet then maybe consider contacting them now. I wouldn’t if it’s not new because they should only take the cost of additional damage out of your deposit minus standard wear and tear. The cost of a new carpet/getting the carpet cleaned is not necessarily what you should be paying.

Are you sure you can't get anyone out to clean it for less than £300. Costs about £80 here.

I'd probably message them to make them aware if it's a new carpet, and tell them they can take it out of the deposit for peace of mind. I wouldn't sweat it OP! Stuff happens and it's fairly minor, I'm sure they've had unexpected repairs in their own residence plenty of times.

If it was just sick, why didn't you hire a Rug Doctor and attempt to clean it properly yourself? I can't work put why you felt you needed to put chemicals onto someone else's carpet? you've almost certainly done more damage with that than the original stain.

My daughter recently vomited over her pale grey carpet bright orange puke. Everywhere. A lot...It was bad.

I used my vax carpet cleaner twice and you honestly can't see it at all now.

If I were you I'd rent a carpet cleaner from the super market, try cleaning it yourself and if you can't offer to replace the carpet

@IWillAlwaysBeinaClubWithYouin1973 carpets are considered 'contents' and not 'buildings'. The landlord will have the latter, and you should have the former, so it's actually your insurance you should claim on.

I agree with PPs that you should tell the landlord as soon as possible. I am a landlord and would appreciate the warning. Also, check your tenancy agreement as it may state that you are required to have contents insurance. Mine do.

@HappiestSleeping (and others) - tenants' contents insurance only covers things that they own, not things they have rented, so carpets are part of the fixtures and fittings. I have contents insurance - although it's not a legal requirement - but it won't cover a carpet. If it did that would be great and save me paying for the replacement.

That's interesting, as the buildings insurance doesn't cover it either.

I'll have to check my policy and see what is / is not covered in more detail. To be honest though, in my rentals I usually put a relatively cheaper carpet in and budget to change it regularly, so this wouldn't be a big issue for me.

I know contents insurance isn't a legal requirement, but it can be stipulated in the tenancy agreement.

Rent a rug doctor from B&Q and give it a go. If that doesn't work, make contact with landlord. Their stance may well depend on how old the carpet was in the first place.

Having checked my policy, I have contents for my own stuff, so this would be, as you said originally, my insurance claim as landlord.

I'm sure I must have known this once, as I took out the policy, but it's been lost in the annals of time 🤦‍♂️

I have just checked out tenants. I just want it all to look lovely. I would prefer it already replaced with like for like

I think the nicest thing to do is let them know now, they can get involved and if it needs cleaned/replaced at your cost at least you can see the benefit of it too.

Do note if it comes out of your deposit, the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme will not allow for the full cost of a new carpet be taken out of your deposit. They apply a formula based on the expected life of a carpet - don’t let yourself be forced to pay the full amount!

https://www.propertymark.co.uk/professional-standards/consumer-guides/landlords/fair-wear-and-tear.html

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/what_can_your_landlord_deduct_from_your_deposit/damage_and_missing_items

It won't be on their insurance, you'll need to claim on yours.

That's not right, I've claimed for a carpet before in a rented house that I burned with an iron.

I rent and am covered by my public liability insurance. Would also cover my dog causing an accident (think running in front of a bus) or me cycling into someone.
Don’t landlords insist the tenant is insured?
Back to the carpet, is it an expensive wool one or a cheap nylon foam back?

I’d definitely want to be made aware now, as the LL.