What's the proper way to leave an ap't community?

[Anonymous]

Dh and I are renting a townhouse right now.. never rented from a community before. I read all the time about people getting stuck with crazy "clean up" bills after they move out from an apartment. We are only renting here for six months (two months left!!) and paid a security deposit. The townhouse was completely refurbished when we moved in - brand new carpet, fresh paint, etc.. so it would be hard for us to destroy it in six months, anyway.

How do we avoid getting one of these bogus bills laid on us? I'm esp worried about something showing up on our CR months or years after we leave, and not knowing how to refute it. Do we take pictures on the way out the door? Is there something we should sign with the complex manager?

[Anonymous]

---

ivyalmighty wrote:

Dh and I are renting a townhouse right now.. never rented from a community before. I read all the time about people getting stuck with crazy "clean up" bills after they move out from an apartment. We are only renting here for six months (two months left!!) and paid a security deposit. The townhouse was completely refurbished when we moved in - brand new carpet, fresh paint, etc.. so it would be hard for us to destroy it in six months, anyway.

How do we avoid getting one of these bogus bills laid on us? I'm esp worried about something showing up on our CR months or years after we leave, and not knowing how to refute it. Do we take pictures on the way out the door? Is there something we should sign with the complex manager?

---

Do a walk through with the manager after you have moved everything out and cleaned up. If you have a digital camera that puts date on pictures, take pictures as well.

There is a "move out" checklist, you walk through the apartment with the manager and he/she checks everything off and you both sign. Put that in a safety deposit box and guard it like a bar of gold.

If this is not standard procedure for your rental company, then google "landlord tenant laws in STATE" or "move out inspection" etc.

If the manager keeps stalling and you can't get them. You can ask someone in the neighborhood or like the top person for the neighboorhood watch or even ask a cop to come over and walk through. Whoever you ask, get them to sign something that there were no major damages or it wasn't trashed. Whatever you do have a witness to go through with you if the manager won't.

Message Edited by sidewinder on 05-14-2008 12:40 PM

[BungalowMo]

Excellent advice.  I've done that several times when moving. 

[nosxih]

And don't be fooled. Sometimes the LL will try to deduct from your deposit for things like cleaning carpet and painting.
If those have to be done and it is just from standard wear and tear and NOT from late night parties then they cannot charge you. Most folks don't realize this.

In Texas anyway it is against the law. I don't know about every state, but I bet that is standard law in most places.

Read up on tenant rights! you will be surprised at how they will try to keep your deposit unlawfully. As long as you have respected the property, were not late and did not otherwise break your contract you should have your deposit returned.

[Anonymous]

Get a newspaper with take a picture of it, inside the apartment.  Do a close-up with the paper, and every room.

[Anonymous]

I got burned from some previous landlords. 

First one was an apartment.  The kitchen drawers were made of particle board.  They had been repaired serveral times.  I filed a complaint with LL, they replaced the drawer and gave me the bill for it.  I disputed it with the manager.  She withdrew the charges.

Then the other landlord I had.  I was living in this older home.  He knew I had a cat.  I told him my cat was declawed.  After I moved out, he tried to charge me for damage to the woodwork by the doors frame.  I won in court because I had proof my cat was declawed prior to moving in.

Whenever, you move in...Do a walk thru with the LL or manager.  Note any stain, scratch, scuff, hole etc.  Then when you move out.  Look over the paperwork.  Do a new walk thru with the LL or manager.  Also, take pictures with a newspaper clearly displaying the date.

[Anonymous]

Newspaper idea is a good one. I guess you could also do a walk through doing video as well. Open cabinet doors and tape inside, drawers, etc.

[Anonymous]

nosxih wrote:

And don't be fooled. Sometimes the LL will try to deduct from your deposit for things like cleaning carpet and painting.

About 4 weeks before I moved from my last apartment (a 4-plex), the neighbors across the hall had a washing machine accident and soaked not only their entire apartment but also much of mine.  They had to come in and do cleanup and these noisy fans had to run 24/7 for 4 days.  Then I was told that they would come in a week or so later and do carpet cleaning.  Just after that happened, I gave the landlord my notice.  He never did come clean my carpet.  I assumed he was just going to wait until I left because I had lived there for 2 years and it had not been professionally cleaned during that time.

After the move, I called him and said we needed our deposit back.  The place was left spotless and the only damange was normal wear and tear from nails, etc.  He said he had to deduct for carpet cleaning (that was supposed to have already been done by law from the overflow accident) and general cleanup and then he would send a check for the balance.  I've never received anything nor have I heard back from him and that was 4 months ago.  This man is an attorney so he should know better. 

[Anonymous]

---

HouseHunter wrote:

nosxih wrote:

And don't be fooled. Sometimes the LL will try to deduct from your deposit for things like cleaning carpet and painting.

About 4 weeks before I moved from my last apartment (a 4-plex), the neighbors across the hall had a washing machine accident and soaked not only their entire apartment but also much of mine.  They had to come in and do cleanup and these noisy fans had to run 24/7 for 4 days.  Then I was told that they would come in a week or so later and do carpet cleaning.  Just after that happened, I gave the landlord my notice.  He never did come clean my carpet.  I assumed he was just going to wait until I left because I had lived there for 2 years and it had not been professionally cleaned during that time.

After the move, I called him and said we needed our deposit back.  The place was left spotless and the only damange was normal wear and tear from nails, etc.  He said he had to deduct for carpet cleaning (that was supposed to have already been done by law from the overflow accident) and general cleanup and then he would send a check for the balance.  I've never received anything nor have I heard back from him and that was 4 months ago.  This man is an attorney so he should know better. 

---

What state are you in?

[Anonymous]

Ivy- if I remember right, your in CA........here is a link that wil be helpful for you...

http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/sec-deposit.shtml