Carpet Installation Laws

Getting Started

• Those who wish to hire a professional to install their new carpet should be aware of the liability laws attached. The carpet installation company is required by law to have an insurance policy to protect against any damage caused while installing the new carpet. Consumers also have the right to request a written warranty to protect against any problems with the carpet in the future, such as the seams coming undone. When disposing of the old carpet, always check with your state's laws to make sure the disposal is legal. For example, a recent bill passed in California would require all old carpets to be recycled rather than thrown away, reducing the amount of waste in landfills. As of 2010, this bill has yet to become a law.

The Fumes

• A recent bill passed in the House, known as the Chemical Sensitivities in State Buildings bill, would alter the laws in regard to carpets being laid in state buildings. The main focus of the bill is to prevent the chemicals and glues involved in laying carpet from disrupting the clean air within the building itself. Under the guidelines of the Department of Buildings and General Services, all new carpets must come with a carpet data sheet explaining what chemicals the carpet may contain before it is installed. The data sheet must be posted on every floor in which new carpet will be installed.

Apartments

• Tenants who move into an apartment complex should always check for carpet damage before signing a lease and make any damage known to the landlord in order to prevent future expenses. For example, landlords do not have the right to charge an exiting tenant for new carpet installation if the tenant has only caused normal wear and tear to the carpet, or if the carpet was old and damaged to begin with. However, if the tenant did create damage to the carpet, such as staining it or tearing it, the landlord has a legal right to charge the tenant a fee in order to install a new carpet.