Need help with a landlord that's trying to screw me on my damage deposit

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Is there any state or county department I should call to get more information or to talk to about this?
 

DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,637
0
0
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
Is there any state or county department I should call to get more information or to talk to about this?

Look here:

Deposit Requirement

In Washington State, they cannot subtract a mandatory cleaning fee from a security deposit. They must charge it separately. It sounds like you have an easy case. There is a phone number at the end of the linked document that may provide help.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
That's why, when you rent, you take pictures of everything before you move in. Digital cameras are great for this... take pictures of every room from a variety of angles.. don't spare the memory. Let the landlord know you're doing this and offer the landlord a copy of the CD to show the way it was. (or, as a landlord do the reverse - take pictures of everything... 100 pictures at least... give copy on CD to tenant)
Then, it's a piece of cake to dispute "that nail hole wasn't there before" "Yes it was"...
 

Crucial

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
5,026
0
71
I found my states law online. I printed out the law highlighting each section that my landlord violated. I referenced each section by number in my letter and made a point to point out the one that says if they lose I was entitled to double the damages and court costs. Sent the letter by certified mail and I had a check in the mail within 4 days.
 

DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,637
0
0
This is great. Forget about the other issues. Just reference this part of the Housing Prtection Act I linked above.

The landlord has 14 days after a tenant moves out to return a deposit, or give a written explanation of why it (or any part of it) was not refunded. If a landlord does not comply, the full amount of the deposit must be refunded to the tenant, regardless of any claims by the landlord that the tenant is not entitled to a refund.

What is the date on the check or envelope ;)?
 

stlcardinals

Senior member
Sep 15, 2005
729
0
76
What does your lease say about the security deposit, does it mention the steam cleaning? It is hard to give any advice without knowing what the lease says. You are legally bound to that lease unless it clearly has something in it that is against your state or local laws.
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Originally posted by: DBL
This is great. Forget about the other issues. Just reference this part of the Housing Prtection Act I linked above.

The landlord has 14 days after a tenant moves out to return a deposit, or give a written explanation of why it (or any part of it) was not refunded. If a landlord does not comply, the full amount of the deposit must be refunded to the tenant, regardless of any claims by the landlord that the tenant is not entitled to a refund.

What is the date on the check or envelope ;)?

I moved out on September 16th and I received my check yesterday, October 11th.

You are 3x as studly as you were before. :heart:
 

DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,637
0
0
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
I moved out on September 16th and I received my check yesterday, October 11th.

You are 3x as studly as you were before. :heart:

No problem.

It seems they went over the 14 day limit. But I wonder if they tried to charge you for the extra days in order to come in under the limit. What is the actual date on the check, although I'd imagine the postmark would be more important?
 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
0
71
Tell him about his mistake. If that doesn't work then supper glue his door shut or break a key in his locks...Next time, take pictures when you move in and pictures when you move out. Make sure he knows this, make sure you know how much you expect to get.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
It is a known fact that landlords always screw you out of just enough of your deposit as to make it not worth it take it to small claims court. When I rented, I always got screwed out of around $150 every time. Usually made up crap. One accused me of not returning the keys and charged me to have the locks changed even though I had a signed receipt that I had returned the keys. Another charged me to fix an pre-existing area of damaged carpet that I had complained about since before I moved in. They promised to fix it before I moved in, never did during all the time I lived there, and then charged me $150 to fix it after I moved out. I'm serious. Not being enough to go to small claims, I filed a complaint with the state using my move-in/move-out inspection checklist as evidence (which showed that the landlord admitted the carpet damage was pre-existing) and nothing ever happened. Such is renting.
 

iwearnosox

Lifer
Oct 26, 2000
16,018
5
0
Originally posted by: Savij
Tell him about his mistake. If that doesn't work then supper glue his door shut or break a key in his locks...Next time, take pictures when you move in and pictures when you move out. Make sure he knows this, make sure you know how much you expect to get.

Try a taquito or perhaps some summer sausage, that'll teach him.
 

upsciLLion

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
5,947
1
81
Originally posted by: DBL
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
I moved out on September 16th and I received my check yesterday, October 11th.

You are 3x as studly as you were before. :heart:

No problem.

It seems they went over the 14 day limit. But I wonder if they tried to charge you for the extra days in order to come in under the limit. What is the actual date on the check, although I'd imagine the postmark would be more important?

Okay, my move out day was 9/16, though they say 9/17. The check is dated 10/3, and the envelope is postmarked 10/7.

Looks like I may have a case. :Q
 

EmperorIQ

Platinum Member
Sep 30, 2003
2,003
0
0
I moved out, and I got charged 500 bucks for damages to the carpet, that was there before I was. I emailed the managers, and they ignored me.

Can someone please help me out?

Is it possible to request that I get to go into my former apartment and see if the carpet was indeed repaired?

I know that I didn't make those damages, but I do know that the managers took pictures before I left, is it possible to request that I have those pictures?

Thanks a lot for any help!
 

Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
Originally posted by: EmperorIQ
I moved out, and I got charged 500 bucks for damages to the carpet, that was there before I was. I emailed the managers, and they ignored me.

Can someone please help me out?

Is it possible to request that I get to go into my former apartment and see if the carpet was indeed repaired?

I know that I didn't make those damages, but I do know that the managers took pictures before I left, is it possible to request that I have those pictures?

Thanks a lot for any help!

unless you have proof that the dmg was there when you moved in, there is nothing you can do. how long did you live there? in CA I believe the landlord has to replace carpet if you've been there more than 3 years so they can't bill the previous tenant for it.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Originally posted by: DBL
Originally posted by: upsciLLion
I rented an apartment for the summer and paid $350 for the damage deposit. I was told $50 would be withheld for the mandatory carpet steam cleaning and however much my water/sewer/trash bill was. That's cool, whatever.

I'm surprised they are even allowed to do that. I always thought they could not charge you for normal wear and tear. Perhaps this depends on which state you reside. Look up your renters rights in your state.

Why not state your case as well as ask them to provide a receipt for the steam cleaning? $50 seems mighty low for steam cleaning, let alone the water/sewer/trash bill.


$50 is plenty for just regular carpet cleaning. It's about $35 to clean standard unit so the management is actually making about $15 or so. Anything other than standard and rates can increase significantly.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Originally posted by: EmperorIQ
I moved out, and I got charged 500 bucks for damages to the carpet, that was there before I was. I emailed the managers, and they ignored me.

Can someone please help me out?

Is it possible to request that I get to go into my former apartment and see if the carpet was indeed repaired?

I know that I didn't make those damages, but I do know that the managers took pictures before I left, is it possible to request that I have those pictures?

Thanks a lot for any help!

$500? Sounds like the carpet wasn't repaired but replaced. Management will replace the carpet after couple of years or sooner if the dmg is severe. Unless you can prove the carpet was already damaged before you moved in, there isn't much you can do.