They send me itemized move-out report and take my deposit?

Question

I have deposited $575, I have moved out with out breaking my lease term and by giving them additional 30 day notice. I give them the apartement in good condition. When I move out I show them everything and the landlord agreed that I am leaving the apartement in good condition.

I lived there for six month. Guess what they Charged me

1. painting(107) , carpet cleaning(105), apartement cleaning(109 ) , window coverings cleanings(20), Counter refinish( 125) stain in cabinets(55)

This is quite day light robbery. What do u advice me to do

Thank you in advance for ur inputs

Answer 1

They are cheating you.  If you could find a previous tenant for that apartment, and they also got cheated, you could have them prosecuted for fraud.  It would prove that they keep charging to have the counter refinished but they never get it refinished...then they charge the next tenant again.

Next time have the landlord sign a blank paper when you do your walkthru saying "It's clean".   Or videotape the day you move in and move out. If you don't have a video camera, borrow one.

Answer 2

Hmm, not sure. I've always gotten my deposits back. The one time I didn't get all my money back was a place that told me when I moved in they would keep so much to repaint (the rent and efficiency were so amazing that it was more than worth it.)

I don't think there's much you can do. They can pretty much say anything to keep the money. One of the many disadvantages to renting. I would look back at your contract though. A lot of that stuff is stuff they would do regardless of the condition you left the apartment. If your contract says that in some regard, point it out to them.  

Answer 3

David has it exactly right.  Unless you had the foresight to take move in pictures and pictures of how you left it, it will be difficult to prove.  Also, depending on if you smoked, had a pet or pets etc. that will affect it.  The only two things that don't make sense to me are the counter refinish and the cabinet stain, unless you had a major kitchen disaster that would account for it.  I also don't know how big the apartment was, so the carpet cleaning charge may be a little high.  If you want to take them to small claims you can, but be prepared to lose.

Answer 4

Welcome to the world of scummy landlords.  Lots of owners of multiple properties operate like this, especially with people who they think are too poor/stupid/etc. to fight them legally.  They never intended to give your deposit back.

If you have two sets of detailed photos of your apartment in move-in and move-out condition, you may have a shot in small claims court.  Otherwise, don't bother.  Chalk it up to experience.  

The next time you sign a lease for an apartment, take photos at move-in and put a copy of Newsweek or something on the kitchen counter to help prove the date they were taken.  Do the same thing when you move out.  Keep the magazine covers and photos together, and keep them until you get your deposit back.

Answer 5

You can dispute it in Small claims court . Some of the cleaning might be considered an ordinary cost of doing business . If the unit was freshly cleaned and painted when you moved in , and you or your guests smoked in the unit, the charges would be justified. The prices aren't exorbitant and if the landlord is smart he will have the necessary

documentation to support his charges