my carpet it is filthy. it has smelled since the day i moved in a month ago and the bottom of my feet are gray after walking on it. the apartment managers refuse to change it and have told me i can break the lease but i would be penalized. who do i contact to have my carpets tested or confirm that they're not up to standards??
Did not know there was a standard set. Maybe you can call the National Association of Carpet Inspectors or the NACI. The residue is shampoo from having the carpets cleaned twice and not rinsed well.
The big question that comes to mind is why did you move in? If the place was filthy when you rented, then filthy is what you are paying for. You don't move into a low rent place and then tell them they have to fix it up to your standards. What you do is move into a nicer place and pay more rent. And get some Odoban from Sam's and now I see they have it at Walmart. Shampoo the rugs with it. It sanitizes and removes odors and will help and is remarkably cheap for how much it does. If it stinks, there is a need for the third cleaning. You just have to clean it with the right stuff and equipment. Your last solution is nose plugs and shoes.
There is no standard for carpet in any area. In fact, the landlord doesn't have to provide carpet at all. It sounds like what is happening is that the landlord is using a cheap carpet cleaning service that is getting dirty water back on the carpet...if the carpet cleaning leaves too much water in the carpet, it will mold and mildew with closed windows. My advice: 1. See if a friend has a dehumidier you can borrow...that will be most of your problem. 2. Find a carpet cleaner that has a Chem Dry system...that is a specific type of cleaning... (NOT STEAM CLEANING!)...I have found these to be far superior. Cheap carpet will also release dye.
The landlord/management have no obligation to change the carpet. If the carpet is filthy, either ask the management to have it cleaned or rent a carpet cleaning machine and clean it yourself. What are you going to have the carpet tested for ... dirt? A dirty carpet is not a valid reason to break the lease without penalty.
If it is mold or something then your local housing authority should be able to handle that. If they cannot do it they should be able to tell you were to go. If it is just dirt then they just need to be professionally cleaned. EDIT: Well then it sounds like it definitely needs replaced. But there is not much you can do to force them to do it while you are still there. You do not say if you have a lease or not. If you do not then you can give 30 days notice and move.
