problem with our landlord, they are trying to rip us off!?

problem with our landlord, they are trying to rip us off!?
So we are moving out of our home that we rent, and our landlord is giving us a hard time, here's the story....when we first moved in the place was disgusting, the lady before us had tons of cats and let them pee on the floor, let's just say it was nasty! So when we moved in (since we had a little crawling baby) we bought an big area rug for the room so that it would be sanitary. We cut the area rug to be the exact size of the room, but never stapled it down or put padding under it, we only put one staple at the doorway so people wouldn't trip. NOW since we are moving we want to take OUR carpet with us, but the landlord is saying that it is now his property because we "installed" it, (if installing it means putting one staple) we informed them that they can keep it if they pay us for it, but otherwise we are taking it with us. (it cost 300$) and is in great condition. I feel like they are trying to rip us off, and don't know what to do! HELP!
we used a small household staple, and there is no damage...actually the person who lived in our house before left SO many huge staples in the floor, and the place has tons of holes in the wall too, and all of a sudden he is concerned about one tiny staple. It's because the carpet makes the house look so much better and he's try to rip us off!
the only reason we are worried to just take it with us is because he hasn't given us our security deposit yet for 650$ and we need that back for our new place, so we dont want to make him mad!
For RM, the last person to comment...I don't think your comment was very kind, some people don't make enough money to go out and buy a beautiful home right away, and I keep a super clean and healthy home for my husband and baby, I do what I can with what I have, and I didn't really appreciate you saying that "it's no way to bring a child into the world" that was a low blow, to something which you know nothing about.


Answers:

A W:  If you still have the receipt, let him do anything about it. If it ends up in court, HE has to prove that he bought it, which he obviously can't. No matter what, I would still take it with. It is yours, you paid for it. Just make sure when you take it up that there is no damage where you stapled it. And TAKE PHOTOS after you take it out so that way YOU have proof there is no damage.
2008-05-28 07:32:46
65% water:  The landlord is wrong. There is no reason to get in an argument with him, but send him a letter stating that the carpet is an area rug and you have the receipt (I hope you do, but not strictly necessary). Tell him you are taking it along with all your other possessions. That way you have it in writing in case he decides to be an ass about it.
2008-05-28 07:34:14
Chosen Answer
sprite:  It's your property, and unless you damaged the floor with your staple (which you would have to pay for the repairs to) they have no rights to your rug.
2008-05-28 07:34:29
danesgirl74:  He has no right to the carpet. You paid for it and it is not installed like he might be thinking. Simply show him that it is not a permanent fixture to the house. If it ends up in court you will win. Too bad you rented from stupid landlord.
2008-05-28 07:37:52
Paul L:  take the rug with you--he won't do anything about it
2008-05-28 07:38:55
lvgeno:  He is trying to rip you off. Installation of the item would be normal installation not one tack. Let him try to take you to court .. you can then recover your costs of the suit. It is the same as an area rug ... you could have put one staple in to keep it from slipping around ... it is just that it covers the entire area. If you would have had padding and tack boards installed around the perimeter of the room you could not remove it and return it to the original state therefore he would have been intitled to keep it but not in your case.
2008-05-28 07:39:19
RM:  I hope you're using the $650 to buy a home... raising a kid on a nasty floor in a nasty apartment which you have no control to change is no way to bring a child into the world.
2008-05-28 07:56:18