View Full Version : Notification of carpet damages 4 months after I moved out...
vegasck
Nov 24, 2010, 02:48 PM
I moved out of my apartment March 28th of this year and received a letter for carpet damages August 17th. Is there a time frame the landlord/management has to follow to give me notice of damages? I was refused a walk through at the time of vacating.. they told me to just turn the keys in. Thanks for any help.
tickle
Nov 24, 2010, 03:18 PM
That is interesting. Why were you refused a walk through? Did you take pictures of the apartment before you left? That would have proved no damages were done.
Tick
excon
Nov 24, 2010, 05:41 PM
Hello v:
Most states have time limits in which a landlord can claim damages or return the deposit. I've never heard of one more than 21 days. But, if you got your deposit back, and NOW your landlord is making claims, write him a letter and tell him he waited too long.
excon
ballengerb1
Nov 24, 2010, 06:57 PM
Did they return your deposit within a month like they are required to do by most state laws> once you have your deposit you should be home free.
vegasck
Nov 24, 2010, 07:01 PM
When I moved out of the apartment I upgraded to a townhome set up in the same apartment. When I dropped the heys off for the old apartment I asked about the final walk through and the manager said o don't worry about it we just need your keys I know your apartments fine because I am super neat freak haha I didn't think to take pictures though I wish I would have now. The security deposit is nonrefundable for painting and cleaning when you move out but apparently doesn't cover carpet shampooing for stains which is what they are saying. They are claiming it cost$ 245 to get the stain out.my apartment managers refuse to talk to me about it and I have left 5 messages. They refer me to the offsite property management office but then they tell me to talk directly to onsite managers since they didn't do the walk through. It's a complete mess.
excon
Nov 24, 2010, 07:27 PM
The security deposit is nonrefundable for painting and cleaning when u move out but apparently doesn't cover carpet shampooing for stains which is what they are saying. Hello again, v:
Saying a deposit is nonrefundable, is like saying black is green. ALL deposits are refundable. That's what a deposit is. Your painting and cleaning are the landlords responsibility when you more. If you left your apartment broom clean, you are entitled to your ENTIRE deposit back...
I'd write them a letter demanding your deposit back or you'll sue. If you're in the same complex, you've got a problem.
excon
ScottGem
Nov 24, 2010, 07:48 PM
Did you give a new deposit for the new unit? If not your deposit should have been transferred to the new unit.
Any question on law needs to include your general local as laws vary by area. Are you in Vegas (Nevada)?
vegasck
Nov 24, 2010, 09:20 PM
I still live there. It was known the deposit was non refundable when I paid it and I don't really care about the deposit I just was wondering about the timeframe they have for listing damages. Im from vegas but this is going on in wa... im moving out the end of this month because I'm not happy with management. The security deposit or whatever they want to call it transferred to this new apartment when I moved out in march.
Fr_Chuck
Nov 24, 2010, 10:15 PM
Well first they can't charge you for normal painting and other normal wear and tear.
Also they will have to provide proof of costs of all "damages" and show that the entire deposit was used.
They will also have to provide you bills from a carpet cleaning service ( and I don't know any that do apartments that charge much more than 100 dollars to do the entire apartment)
And yes did you have to put in a new deposit or did your old deposit travel with you. ( all of this is important)
But yes, depending on where you are, they have a required period to return your deposit and notify you of damages ( with detailed billing)
And again, It sounds like they may well be in violation of many other rental laws
ScottGem
Nov 25, 2010, 06:09 AM
Ok, Washington state does allow for:
Cleaning Fee - RCW 59.18.285 and RCW 59.18.253 allow a landlord to collect money as a nonrefundable cleaning fee. Contrary to popular belief a tenant who is charged a cleaning fee cannot later be charged for "normal cleaning" when moving out.
So to charge you for the carpet cleaning, then would have to show that this was beyond the "normal cleaning". I would tell them that you believe your cleaning fee covered the carpet and if they feel otherwise, to sue you. The will have to produce proof that the cleaning was beyond normal and explain why it took so long.
excon
Nov 25, 2010, 06:23 AM
Ok, Washington state does allow for:
Cleaning Fee - RCW 59.18.285 and RCW 59.18.253 allow a landlord to collect money as a nonrefundable cleaning fee. Hello again,
Is it a nonrefundable cleaning fee because that's what the intent was?? Or is it a nonrefundable SECURITY DEPOSIT, that was illegally withheld? The complex calls it a nonrefundable security deposit, so that's what I think YOU should call it, and sue them to get it back...
It doesn't matter that you AGREED to forgo your rights to collect the entire deposit back... You cannot sign away your rights... You've STILL got 'em. But, I don't understand WHY you're willing to lay down for them for your ENTIRE security deposit, but charges for extra carpet cleaning, you're not... Seems to me, you'd want the BIG money back that was illegally withheld, instead of the piddly amount... But, what do I know?
excon