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    riptex's Avatar
    riptex Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Dec 2, 2006, 04:07 PM
    Texas (Austin) Rental Agreement
    Heya,

    To avoid emotional content, just read the question in 'blue' below.

    I recently vacated an apartment in Round Rock. We scheduled the and executed our final walk-through with a property representative and there weren't any documented damages. We handed in our keys and left the property quite happy having had a reasonable yet expensive experience.

    About two weeks later, we get a bill in the mail for carpet cleaning charges. They were kind enough to include a copy of the cleaning 'estimate' for which they are billing us in total for. The estimate said, 'Heavy blue stains, 90% chance they will come out: $45.00', and high-traffic pre-treat $35.00, along with about 4 other lesser fees. They also added in the water bill estimate and final water bill which the highest we have ever paid. Not to mention the time between our last water bill and our vacate date was 7 days. So we were being charged for [9/24 - 10/24 --> $30.35], and [10/24 - 10/31 --> $37.10 :mad: ].

    Here is my question: When does the final release from contract occur? When I hand in my keys? Or am I still liable?

    Here is what I feel that I should be able to do:

    1. Write a letter advising them that we are no longer tenants and are under no contract to pay carpet cleaning estimates.

    2. Please provide detailed itemized bill(s) for the water estimates that you are requesting for us to pay.
    LUNAGODDESS's Avatar
    LUNAGODDESS Posts: 467, Reputation: 40
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    #2

    Dec 2, 2006, 05:12 PM
    The end of your rental contract was when you turned in the keyes. The apartment manager and or assisant manager should have told you, after the walk through that you owe for cleaning the carpets. Usually this cost is taken from your deposit.
    riptex's Avatar
    riptex Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Dec 2, 2006, 05:20 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by LUNAGODDESS
    The end of your rental contract was when you turned in the keyes. The apartment manager and or assisant manager should have told you, after the walk through that you owe for cleaning the carpets. Usually this cost is taken from your deposit.

    So, do I have a defensible position? They are threatening to submit me to collections.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #4

    Dec 2, 2006, 05:29 PM
    Do you have a signed document that says the wakthru noticed no damages? If you do then you have a defensible position. The thing is, did you get your deposit back? As Luna said, normally this is taken out of the deposit. It surprises me that they are threatening collections.

    If they take this money out of your deposit it will cost you more to fight it then its worth.
    riptex's Avatar
    riptex Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Dec 2, 2006, 07:38 PM
    Actually, we never had to put a deposit down. My wife did the walk-through with the head of maintenance (their only available staffer at the time.) This guy walked around with a clip-board and wrote two things down: Missing Light-bulbs and some damaged blinds. The blinds were marked as damaged when we moved in, so there was no charge. My wife specifically asked this guy if there was anything else. His response was, 'No, that's it.". My wife then walked with this guy (Jose) to the front office and handed in the keys. The front office acknowledged having received the keys. Head nods all around and my wife left. We did not get a copy of the walk-through form. Then again, we didn't sign off on the form either.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #6

    Dec 2, 2006, 09:09 PM
    That was your mistake, not getting a copy. At this point I would send them a letter stating that the walk trhu did not point out these problems, therefore you aren't responsible. Let them sue you.

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