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

    Jun 15, 2007, 08:33 AM
    Can property damage charges be dismissed if landlord tries overcharging you?
    I received a bill from an apartment complex I used to live in for $910.74 for carpet damages caused by a pet.

    the original bill they sent me stated they were charging $1060.74 against my $150 deposit due to Carpet charges:
    ($1586.67/60 ms (life of carpet) = 26.44x37 ms of life= $978.28) plus my final water bill.

    Since the carpet had been steamcleaned one week prior to moving, I didn't believe they replaced the carpet and requested proof.

    In turn they sent me a copy of a receipt for carpet replace in the amount of $1294.07 and an adjusted bill for $887.97
    ($785.51 + $20 Enzyme treatment (which had already been included with carpet replacment) + my waterbill)
    They did not deduct my deposit and made an attempt to double charge me for a service the carpet company had already provided and charged for.

    I'm just wondering if there is anyway I can take them to court over this to get the entire bill dropped for falsifying information and attempting to illegally keep the secerity deposit? I should probably also mention, I live in FL.
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Jun 15, 2007, 09:11 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by snowpixxi
    I'm just wondering if there is anyway I can take them to court over this to get the entire bill dropped
    Hello snow:

    Sure. Small claims court is cheap, quick and easy. Will you get the whole thing dropped?? Probably not, but you won't be overcharged either - assuming you win, and I don't see a reason why you wouldn't.

    excon
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #3

    Jun 15, 2007, 10:39 AM
    No, especially with small claims court, the idea is to find an equitable solution for both parties. So whether they deliberately falsified the bill or not, is not going to get you completely off the hook. You will be responsible for whatever charges they can prove. And if they have a receipt that shows the carpet was replaced you will have to pay it.
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