VIC carpet condition on rental property

[Deleted member 17143]

A question on behalf of a person exiting a rental property. On entrance report, some burns on carpet around fireplace. Since being in property for two yrs, tenant has accidentally added to these via sparks from fireplace.
No fireguard or protective mat was provided by landlord.
House was built in 1990s approx and general carpet condition is fair. Assuming carpet was put in at that time.
Tenant v careful, clean and tidy.
Where does tenant stand regarding carpet?

 

[Rob Legat - SBPL]

There''s always an argument over this type of stuff. Basic, short answer is the carpet is at least 20 years old. A landlord can depreciate it down to zero within 10 years - the tax value of that carpet is zero. It's likely to not be worth repairing, but the landlord can generally insist on the damage being rectified which isn't 'fair wear and tear'. There might be some counter argument available to the lack of safety/preventative items to the fire, especially given the pre-existing burns in the carpet giving rise to the stance that the landlord is already aware of the problem.