What is a "redecorating fee?"

[Zysoclaplem]

I have to pay a $50 "redecorating fee" up front before I can move in. Anyone know what that is?

Update: The redecorating fee is not a redecorating fee at all. It's a $50 administrative fee.
The apartment complex was just purchased by new owners, so, they are fixing everything.
New washer/dryer area, new fitness center, new offices, new roofs. New everything. They said that fee is to go to that. They just never changed their application.

 

[loup garou]

They probably couldn't figure out a way to screw the last guy out of at least part of his security deposit, so they're screwing you instead.

 

[Mermaidman]

It's probably to help with the cost of spiffing up an apartment after the last tenant moved out. (clean carpets, paint walls, etc).

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
It's probably to help with the cost of spiffing up an apartment after the last tenant moved out. (clean carpets, paint walls, etc).

Isn't that paid for by the deposit of the person who lived there before?

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
It's probably to help with the cost of spiffing up an apartment after the last tenant moved out. (clean carpets, paint walls, etc).

Isn't that paid for by the deposit of the person who lived there before?

Dunno, just make sure YOU don't end up paying at both the front and back ends.

 

[nakedfrog]

Wow, that sounds stupid. I'd complain about it.

 

[HumblePie]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
It's probably to help with the cost of spiffing up an apartment after the last tenant moved out. (clean carpets, paint walls, etc).

Isn't that paid for by the deposit of the person who lived there before?

Not always. If the apartment was lived in by a tenant for several years, then no. That would be normal wear and tear and they can't take that out of the deposit in most states unless some really horrendous damage had incurred.

To me it sounds like someone is trying to jack some extra cash from you

 

[Toasthead]

crap!

 

[DaveSimmons]

Scam. They are supposed to offer you an aparment in rentable condition not charge you to make it that way.

It's probably legal though if you're sucker enough to pay it.

 

[Phoenix86]

It's another way to screw you out of $50.

 

[Mark R]

Sounds like a bit of a scam to get you to cough up.

Redecoration is classified as wear-and-tear, it isn't reasonable for the tennant to pay for normal wear and tear in rented accomodation. This is supposed to be covered by the rent payment.

The security deposit is there to protect the landlord against unreasonable wear.

 

[Lola]

i have never heard of that. it seems really weird actually. i thought thats what a security dep. was for, but i guess it is to paint the walls and clean the blinds and things.

 

[Jawo]

Its another way to part you with your cash! and SO many places do it too!!!

 

[everman]

It's called pure profit.
If you didn't agree to it in the contract, you shouldn't have paid it.

 

[imported_Kensai]

It's their extra income.

 

[dquan97]

landlord's lunch $ for the week

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: everman
It's called pure profit.
If you didn't agree to it in the contract, you shouldn't have paid it.

Ahhh yes $50 of pure profit what will I spend it on.... decisions, decisions....

 

[markgm]

My place charged $200 up front, and then you aren't responsible for anything when you move out. Paint the walls pink for all they care, the fee is to paint it back, etc. I didn't pay a security deposit.

 

[feelingshorter]

Originally posted by: dquan97
landlord's lunch $ for the week

landlord's hoe money

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: everman
It's called pure profit.
If you didn't agree to it in the contract, you shouldn't have paid it.

It's in the contract. If I don't agree, they will not let me rent.
I haven't signed anything yet.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: everman
It's called pure profit.
If you didn't agree to it in the contract, you shouldn't have paid it.

It's in the contract. If I don't agree, they will not let me rent.
I haven't signed anything yet.

have them redo the contract?

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Simple: It's just a way for them to make money. If you need/want the apartment badly enough and they can easily rent to somebody else, pay it. If you have other options and they might have trouble finding other tenents, you can get it waived easily. Renting is like buying a car, every single number is negotiable based on supply and demand.

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
It's another way to screw you out of $50.

 

[EmperorIQ]

I got screwed over once at my first time renting an apartment. I wasn't sure if my credit was ok, so I gave them my parent's as someone who agrees to take care of my payments if I can't pay up, they said that most likely I wont' have good enough credit to rent an apartment, so I listened to them, I had my parents co-sign (not sure if that's the exact terms).

so the day comes to check the credits of my parents, they made me pay 26 bucks for a credit check, I asked them "why, youre only going to put it through a website, and its about 10 mins of work." They ignored me. Then when they said my parents passed they told me I have to do a credit check too, and I have to pay for my credit check. then I asked them "Why? if you told me earlier that you have to check my credit no matter what, I would have had you check mine first to see if I pass, then I would have given you my parent's forms." They stayed quiet again, and my roommates told me to just forget about it, so I didn't bring up the issue anymore. =\ They also raised our rent 130 bucks after the first year, and had random months where they raised our rent by $1, or even .75 at one point. . . got me man.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Do you prefer regular or scented lube? Cause after their done screwing you you're gonna be getting it the mouth.

Up front fee's like that should tell you to run away fast, if you can look somewhere else, and ask up front what fee's and deposits are required.