My mother lived in an apartment for 8 years. The managers were like a revolving door. We had given notice that she was not going to renew the lease, and the following week she died. I fulfilled the payment of the lease for two additional months, cleaned the apartment, carpet, etc. The apt was not freshly painted when she moved it, her walk through showed carpet was worn, in fact everything in the apartment was used by previous occupant. Now this new manager is trying to keep her security deposit. Charging to replace mini blinds, that are 8 plus years old, they are clean and in working order, but from the Florida heat are beginning to lose shape, ants to charge for priming the walls and cleaning the apt. The apt was clean, but it appears the maintenance person went in and did work leaving dust, screws, etc. on the counter. The kitchen flooring is coming unglued in where it joins the carpet, the bathroom flooring caulk is letting the flooring come up around the tub. I found leaks in the bedroom closet, which their yearly inspection should have shown and been repaired, there is rot around the entrance door that we had requested be repaired for 4 years. This deposit is $375.00, should I fight this or will it not be worth my time to try to get this amount of money back. These apts, fixtures are 20 plus years old.

First my condolences on your loss.

It would probably not be worth your time. Too bad you didn't ask us before you took action. I would have told you not to pay anything more and just move her belongings out ASAP. Let the landlord take her estate to court. I doubt if they would have tried.

Quite honestly, it would not be worth your while to take him to court for $375 or so. Figure in travel time, lost time, etc. which you will be out. Your mom was in the apt. for 8 years, wear and tear and so on. Get closure and let this one thing go for your mom.

Tick