It appears that California law does not assign a definite life of carpet, but based on my research (including state published landlord/tenant guides) 10 years seems to be supported by case law and other documentation.
Part of the problem I’m having is that a property management company handled the move-in, and I have since ended my relationship with that company (for good reason).
I know that they took pics of the property prior to move in, and I do have them.
I don’t think they had a pre move-in inspection, but there were issues noted on the lease (and carpet smells were not one of them).
