[jason589]

My landlord moved out without even attempting to clean the house. There are
*Nail holes in the walls, as many as 20 per room (the size of framing nails, not picture hanging nails.
*Actual holes in the walls, dents deep enough you can see both sides of the drywall tape on some corners.
*Dented siding
*10-15 Hornet nests around the perimeter
*Cables everywhere only a few of the 20 or so lightbulbs in working order. Ceiling fan light in bedroom is not connected to the switch.
*Showers and bathrooms, disgusting, the toilets had not even been given a once over.
*Floor trim is dislodged in several places.
*Carpets stained and very malodorous.
*Only 3 of 9 windows had any window treatments (blinds or curtains)
*No shower curtain rods (3Br/2 bathroom house)
On top of all that, he left
*2 rooms full of junk in the garage.
*A boat in the back yard
*A car in the back yard
*A chicken coup with 2 roosters and a 3 hens
Which were not gone until a month after I moved in (the car is still in the back yard).
*Son in law living in the grandmother suite below (utilities billed through me)
How should I estimate this in terms of an inconvenience and monetary value?
Ie, I'm not looking for the legal of what I am owed, I'm looking for what a landlord would reasonably charge if his tenant left the premises in such disrepair.

[smoothy]

I'd make the Son-in-law pay 50% of all utilities and going rent for his space. After all its part of the house YOU leased... since the utilities are tied to YOUR unit... which I'm sure violates some zoning laws. Are you really sure you even want to deal with this disaster? We are talking a lot of money, I can't even guess, it can vary a LOT depending on what state and city you live... labor rates and prices very a great deal by location.

[ScottGem]

I assume you meant the tenant moved out not the landlord.

What you need to do is hire a contractor to make the repairs, or at least give an estimate of what it would cost. Costs of such things vary by location. It would be impossible for us to give you an accurate estimate.

I can tell you, that unless the window treatments were there when the property was originally rented, then the tenant is not responsible for leaving them.

[kalliereann]

Scott, I think they meant what they said in that the owner used to occupy the space (and probably promised to have it rent ready), but left with all of these issues going on.
Cosmetic repairs are rarely taken care of and never really promised in any lease.

Was anything promised to you in writing?
Window coverings are not a habitability issue, and not necessary.
Have you tried talking with the owner?
The hornets nests and any safety concerns should be addressed ASAP.
Some leases allow complimentary pest control within a certain time frame of signing the lease. Our standard window was 2 weeks.

But the list you mentioned are things it would be hard to get compensated for.
You should document everything the way you see it.
A move-in report (notarized, if possible) along with dated photos or even video would be helpful. I hope you're not in a long lease.

[ScottGem]

[QUOTE=kalliereann;2518452]Scott, I think they meant what they said in that the owner used to occupy the space (and probably promised to have it rent ready), but left with all of these issues going on.
[/QUOTE

That is certainly a valid interpretation and one I considered. I would rather wait for the OP to come back and clarify.

But, if that is the case, then the vacating landlord should be contacting about making the repairs. Only if they don't after doing it in writing, that the OP can take further action.

[JudyKayTee]

Maybe a little less "interpretation" and a little more sticking to the facts as posted would make life easier - and so I agree with you.