Security Deposit to Pay for Renovations?

[sonoranjohn]

I live in Virginia, and am not currently thinking about moving out of my apartment, but am curious about something. They are slowly renovating the apartments in my building as people move out. I live in a non-renovated unit (although my rent is the same as a renovated unit but that is a different issue) and have been noticing that every renovated unit is having it's carpet ripped out and totally replaced. Since I have a dog (who never has had an accident in the house), I am concerned that they will charge me for carpet replacement although they are going to replace it no matter what when I move out. Is this allowed under the tenant laws? Maybe someone can help shed some light on this.

If you can show they are replacing all units' carpet then they normally cannot charge you. You could take them to small claims.

[OHlandlord]

If carpet is damaged during a tenancy, the LL can only charge a depreciated value for the carpet based on it's age. If your carpet is 5-7 yrs old, it is likely completely depreciated, and there would be little or no value left in it. Charges against the deposit are for damages only, not for renovations. Since they are changing out the carpet in all the vacant units, it is probably a scheduled maintenance item. Those carpets have reached the end of their life and need replacing. SOP in most big complexes.

Good answer!