Cleaning Charges - Landlord Forum thread

Cleaning Charges by Vickie (IA) on November 5, 2009 @21:40

FIRST TIME LANDLORD!!! I had a tenant move out Sept. 20th w/o a written notice on a 6 month lease which ran out Oct. 31, 09. No rent was collected for Sept or Oct. plus late fees. Later I found out that they never paid a water/garbage bill since the first month either. Which will be applied to my taxes at the end of the year if they don't pay it. They never cleaned the house at all and the appliances and walls were a mess. I did take pictures. I found the settlement charges Guide at LPA, but I'm wondering how affective it will be in court since the amount is $900.00? Is this the right one to use or is there another? Also, how do I collect after the judgement, from deadbeats who live off the state and only have a vehicle? I can't keep track of them either.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND INFO!!!

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Re: Cleaning Charges by Ultimate M-Bone on November 6, 2009 @12:20	[ Reply ]
The settlement charges guide is not what you use to determine your charges to the tenant, it is only a guide to get an idea from. You charge what it cost you out of pocket for damages and cleaning. Check your State and local laws to see if you are allowed to deduct for your own labor, some States allow it, some don't.