This is a valid point and one I did mention to my friends regarding the carpet incident, but they kept insisting it was a landlord's job. The carpet was cheap and already showed signs of damage when I moved into the home, which some of them knew, so they argued it was his job to fix the problem since it was already damaged (meaning it would have fallen apart quickly regardless of how my kids treated it - there were even some stains/rips on my move-in date from prior tenants). However, it's worth noting the ones who didn't know it was already damaged from day one also felt the landlord should fix it.

I disagree and think that it was my responsibility. I have always repaired/replaced/reimbursed things that I felt were my family's fault over the years. It just feels like the right thing to do. From a legal standpoint, though, I'm honestly not sure whose job it is to fix issues like this. I know it varies by lease, and I no longer remember the terms of my old lease.