Do I have any recourse?

[Nutdotnet]

I moved out December, 1st 2004. In Alaska, as long as proper notice to vacate was given the landlord has 14 days to send out a security deposit OR a reduced security deposit + itemized list of deductions.

Between now and today I have sent two certified letters. One in mid-January, and one in Mid-March stating that I would like either A) Security Deposit or B) Security Depost + Itemized List of Deductions. I never received any correspondence from my landlord.

Fast-forward to today. I finally received my Security Deposit + Itemized List of Deductions...deductions of $885 out of a $1,000 deposit. Some of the items I agree with, which I expected her to replace. BUT, there is a $270 charge for cleaning that I do not agree with. We did a very good job cleaning. We even paid $150 to have the carpets professionally cleaned.

This is really besides the point. I feel that the landlord took far too long to supply me with any evidence of any damage.

I'm not sure what to do next. Small Claims? Or do I not have much of a leg to stand on since she DID supply me with the SD...albeit almost 5 months late.

Cliffnotes:
Moved out Dec. 01, 2004
Received reduced ($115 out of $1000) Security Deposit May 06, 2005
State of Alaska requires Landlords to supply SD's within 14 days.
Recourse??? I think I deserve my full SD.

 

[KarenMarie]

small claims court is really the only options ... since any thing else would cost you to much more and be counter productive.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
small claims court is really the only options ... since any thing else would cost you to much more and be counter productive.

Thanks, yeah, that's the only option I would even consider. I need to call the local Tenant/Landlord dispute hotline but they won't be open until Monday. Thought I would get some opinions.

 

[zixxer]

just drop it. not worth the time and effort. If you still live in alaska then go talk to her. otherwise.....

 

[orakle]

judge judy

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: orakle22
judge judy

:laugh:

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Fast-forward to today. I finally received my Security Deposit + Itemized List of Deductions...deductions of $885 out of a $1,000 deposit. Some of the items I agree with, which I expected her to replace.
Recourse??? I think I deserve my full SD.

So why should you get the entire deposit back if you never expected the full amount back in the first place?
If you wanted to charge them interest for holding it so long, that amount wouldn't be worth your time anyways. And good luck disputing whether or not you think it needed more cleaning.

 

[Conky]

Dude, forget it.

I've had landlords play that same game with me... some of them just like to screw people and keep the deposits.

My last landlord used to clean the units herself and when she sent me a bill for $350 cleaning on my $300 security deposit I knew I was screwed... plus I was 2000 miles away by then.

I spent all of 4 nights in that apartment (my old gf had a house) and I coulda hired a maid for $40 for a whole days cleaning but I never saw that coming.

People suck and it helps to work with professional rental outfits that don't play that sh1t.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Fast-forward to today. I finally received my Security Deposit + Itemized List of Deductions...deductions of $885 out of a $1,000 deposit. Some of the items I agree with, which I expected her to replace.
Recourse??? I think I deserve my full SD.

So why should you get the entire deposit back if you never expected the full amount back in the first place?
If you wanted to charge them interest for holding it so long, that amount wouldn't be worth your time anyways. And good luck disputing whether or not you think it needed more cleaning.

I didn't say I didn't expect the full amount. I said I agree with some of the charges. Different things. Things like replacing a dirty shelf (we tried cleaning it but it wasn't happening) which I'm cool with. However, I'm NOT cool with waiting 5 months to find out about it.

Here are the two large charges:

1) Burn in Bedroom #2. I never saw a burn...and she charged $400 to replace it.
2) 8 Hours of Cleaning. Cleaning WHAT?!?! We spent two days cleaning...spent $150 to have the carpets shampooed. That place looked sharp when we moved out. It looked better then it did when we moved in.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

If you actually want something, take her to court, otherwise stop your bitching and stfu.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Dude, forget it.

I've had landlords play that same game with me... some of them just like to screw people and keep the deposits.

My last landlord used to clean the units herself and when she sent me a bill for $350 cleaning on my $300 security deposit I knew I was screwed... plus I was 2000 miles away by then.

I spent all of 4 nights in that apartment (my old gf had a house) and I coulda hired a maid for $40 for a whole days cleaning but I never saw that coming.

People suck and it helps to work with professional rental outfits that don't play that sh1t.

That's what happened hear. I guess why I'm steemed is the length it took her to get me the deposit. I'm going to fight it if I can.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
small claims court is really the only option

 

[RU482]

Do I have any recourse?

Uh...did you keep any sets of keys?
I've heard a little raw hamburger in the HVAC ducts works wonders for revenge on bad landlords

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: redly1

Do I have any recourse?

Uh...did you keep any sets of keys?
I've heard a little raw hamburger in the HVAC ducts works wonders for revenge on bad landlords

HAHAHA....yeah...not THAT kind of recourse, although...

The reason why I feel I have a case is because of this passage taken directly from the Alaskan Landlord/Tenant Act:

If the tenant has given proper notice of moving out, the
landlord must provide a written, itemized list of accrued
rent and damages with any refund due the tenant within
14 days of the date the tenancy is terminated and
possession is delivered by the tenant.72 If the landlord
willfully fails to comply with this requirement, the tenant
may recover up to twice the amount withheld by the
landlord.

 

[Howard]

All that is good in this world demands that you shove it up her ass.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: redly1

Do I have any recourse?

Uh...did you keep any sets of keys?
I've heard a little raw hamburger in the HVAC ducts works wonders for revenge on bad landlords

HAHAHA....yeah...not THAT kind of recourse, although...

The reason why I feel I have a case is because of this passage taken directly from the Alaskan Landlord/Tenant Act:

If the tenant has given proper notice of moving out, the
landlord must provide a written, itemized list of accrued
rent and damages with any refund due the tenant within
14 days of the date the tenancy is terminated and
possession is delivered by the tenant.72 If the landlord
willfully fails to comply with this requirement, the tenant
may recover up to twice the amount withheld by the
landlord.

Well then go for it if you want to, they obviously are in violation of the law. I guess you might make $100 or so out of it and teach them a lesson

 

[DaveSimmons]

State Attorney General's Office -- they might take it up or refer you to someone. Who knows, since you weren't given the money and list of deductions within 14 days you might be able to get a full refund.

4+ months late on refunding your money seems serious to me, and a valid reason to punish them.

 

[ElMonoDelMar]

Take 'em to court if you've got the time. Scumbags that fvck with honest people really annoy me.

 

[Yossarian]

your state's renter laws should spell out what the rules are here.