Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    greencountrylady36's Avatar
    greencountrylady36 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jun 26, 2007, 10:10 PM
    Landlord Kept My $600 deposit & You won't believe what for!
    Hi, my name is Bridget and myself along with my 4 children ages 18, 15, 14 and 3 rented a house for 1 year. My deposit was $600 and upon moving out, they charged me for lawn cutting, scrubbing the floors and other simple cleaning and extermination. It mentioned that the extermination was my responsibility, but is it mandatory? I thought that was if I needed it I would have to call and handle it myself. They charged me for lawn trimming and lawn cutting which came to almost $200 right there! I agree with some of the charges, but I think I was supposed to get at least $200 - $300 back! Can someone please guide me through my lease agreement!

    --Bridget , Single mother and don't want to be jipped!:eek:
    AltaVista's Avatar
    AltaVista Posts: 70, Reputation: 12
    Junior Member
    		  
    #2

    Jun 26, 2007, 10:43 PM
    Laws are different in various parts of the country, so knowing what State you live in would help. There are often Legal Aid lawyers who will give you a little free or low-cost time to quickly review your lease - and a lousy landlord (or property mgmt. company) will often back off a little if they know you have an attorney. This does sound extreme, but without reading the lease I can only guess at what is actually taking place.
    Good luck to you and the kids...
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jun 27, 2007, 05:15 AM
    Hello green:

    I would file a small claim lawsuit against them and let the judge sort it out.

    excon
    greencountrylady36's Avatar
    greencountrylady36 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jun 28, 2007, 12:19 PM
    Thank you for your help.

    Quote Originally Posted by AltaVista
    Laws are different in various parts of the country, so knowing what State you live in would help. There are often Legal Aid lawyers who will give you a little free or low-cost time to quickly review your lease - and a lousy landlord (or property mgmt. company) will often back off a little if they know you have an attorney. This does sound extreme, but without reading the lease I can only guess at what is actually taking place.
    Good luck to you and the kids ....
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #5

    Jun 28, 2007, 12:31 PM
    Ok, when a tenant moves out, the landlord has to make the premises rentable again. Some normal wear and tear would be the responsibility of the landlords, but certain expenses would come down on the tenant.

    If the landlord found a significant bug problem that did not exist when they rented to you, they would be within their rights to call an exterminator. If you were responsible for maintaining the grounds and you left the grass unmowed, unkempt and the ground unmaintained, they could bill you for clean up.

    If you did not do a walkthru with a rep of the landlord and/or did not take pictures when you moved out, you are unlikely to win if you take them to court. They will bring in contractors who will testify that the grounds were unkempt, there was a signigicant bug problem, the floors were filthy and scratched, etc.

    I'd chalk it up to experience and the next time you move, clean up yourself and do a walkthru before you hand over the keys.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Landlord deposit return [ 4 Answers ]

Hi, when I moved into my current apartment eight years ago I gave the landlord a check for first month and security deposit. I live in Massachusetts, I have researched the law about what the landlord is supposed to do with my security deposit which is to put it in a bank account and it will...

Landlord not paying back security deposit [ 1 Answers ]

Hi All. I have been renting a commercial building in Toronto, Ontario. Earlier in the year, my landlord sold the place with my lease to this new landlord. And last month, we have moved out since it's the end of term for our lease. I've paid all my rent and fulfill all my obligations. But this new...

Landlord Retaining Deposit [ 1 Answers ]

Help! I recently filled out an application to live in an apartment complex with another roommate. One of the leasing agents told my roommate and I that if we would come fill out an application and turn in a security deposit, we could move up the waiting list. We did just this. Later on in the...

600 Amp Service And Load Center With 6 Breakers [ 4 Answers ]

I Have A Overhead Service With Single Phase 220v 600amp Going To 23 Boat Docks And A Small Club House And A Garage . I Need A All New Service Change And A Rewire To The Boat Docks . I Calculated The Dock Service Demand Load According To Nec 555-12 It Comes Out To Be 486 Amps I Have 5- 125 Amp 220v...

Landlord won't return deposit [ 7 Answers ]

I moved out of my apartment on9/1. My deposit was supposed to be to me 21 days later. The land lord never said that there was a problem, never gave me list of repairs or cost for cleaning. The apartment was left spotless, I even painted the entire thing, had the rugs professionally cleaned etc. I...

View more questions Search