Cleaning Needed To Be Done - Landlord Forum thread

Cleaning Needed To Be Done by Eric (WA) on July 3, 2012 @11:03

Hi,

I just moved out of my place and have gotten deductions from my security deposit I don't agree with. I was wondering if you all could tell me if this stuff was industry standard.

I was this landlord's first tenant in this townhome. He owns it and occupied it previously but moved out when he bought another place due to family expansion. I think he found me quicker than he thought. His couch, tv, and other things were still there when we first looked at the place. He had a small Bissel carpet stain mover deal that he was getting a stain out with right before I toured it. He asked if we wanted the couch and tv and other things, we said no, we have our own stuff and he got it out of there before we moved in a couple days later.

Due to the faster than expected turnover, he did not clean the place very well. Carpets weren't professionally cleaned(just with the handheld Bissel in certain small areas), blinds were dusty/dirty, railings had grime on the back sides facing the wall, etc. You get the picture. My wife didn't start her new job for another 2 weeks, so she took the time and just did a deep clean and I had to hear about how nasty areas were when I got home.

Fast forward a year later. We bought our own place, moved out, and now have deductions from our security deposit for professional carpet cleaning, painters, and maid services that essentially wiped out our $1,300 deposit. We did a good job cleaning before we moved out, so it's not like the place was dirty. I took videos of the place before we moved out to prove all this.

I can see him deducting these costs if he had paid for these same services up front before we moved in and he was returning his townhome to the original condition he rented it to us in. I do find it unfair we are getting charged these fees when he didn't even clean it well before we initially moved in. Isn't a security deposit to be used to return the unit rented to the condition it was rented to us in? It seems he wants us to pay for him getting the place in pristine condition for new tenants.

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Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done by Nicole (PA) on July 3, 2012 @11:16	[ Reply ]

what does your lease say? you keep harping on "before" ... that has no bearing on when you leave - you took it "as is". my lease says you must use a professional carpet cleaner ... what does yours say? painting? again, my lease specifically spells that out. what does yours say?

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done by Jake on July 3, 2012 @11:22	[ Reply ]

A lot of landlords give the deposit a real haircut when a tenant checks out. What you need to do is take your landlord to court, tell your story and see what happens. It is possible to be awarded 3Xs your deposit.

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done by Anonymous on July 3, 2012 @11:33	[ Reply ]

If you want more information regarding what can be deducted from your deposit then I would look up normal wear and tear. There is a vast amount of information that describes what is normal wear and tear and what is considered damaged. Good thing you took pictures on the way out. \ As a LL I take pictures as I am doing the cleaning and come across proof of damage and dirt.

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done by OK-LL on July 3, 2012 @11:43	[ Reply ]

Pictures on the way out are good, but in your case I hope you took pictures on the way in, to memorialize the condition you say you received the property in. To satisfy your lease, you would need to be able to make the comparison and show you left it in as good a condition as when you moved in. When I was a tenant moving into a new rental, I always wiped surfaces down with products I knew to begin with and I find most of my tenants do the same now. Kind of putting your own mark on the place from the beginning, making it feel & smell familiar. So I always take it with a grain of salt when a tenant tells me they spent time cleaning my spotless rental at move-in. Everyone's perception of clean is different and I bet you didn't leave the rental in the same condition you feel you cleaned it to at move-in, because you recognize your level of clean might be more than the next person's. Don't know how this would go in court, but have you talked to the LL about your move-in efforts. Maybe he'll remember what it was like a year ago and give you a break on the move-out expenses, if you approach him in a reasonable manner. Good luck.

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done by MrDan (Georgia) on July 3, 2012 @14:56	[ Reply ]

Perhaps this can help you, Your State Landlord laws; 59.18.260 Moneys paid as deposit or security for performance by tenant � Written rental agreement to specify terms and conditions for retention by landlord � Written checklist required. If any moneys are paid to the landlord by the tenant as a deposit or as security for performance of the tenant's obligations in a lease or rental agreement, the lease or rental agreement shall be in writing and shall include the terms and conditions under which the deposit or portion thereof may be withheld by the landlord upon termination of the lease or rental agreement. If all or part of the deposit may be withheld to indemnify the landlord for damages to the premises for which the tenant is responsible, the rental agreement shall be in writing and shall so specify. No deposit may be collected by a landlord unless the rental agreement is in writing and a written checklist or statement specifically describing the condition and cleanliness of or existing damages to the premises and furnishings, including, but not limited to, walls, floors, countertops, carpets, drapes, furniture, and appliances, is provided by the landlord to the tenant at the commencement of the tenancy. The checklist or statement shall be signed and dated by the landlord and the tenant, and the tenant shall be provided with a copy of the signed checklist or statement. No such deposit shall be withheld on account of normal wear and tear resulting from ordinary use of the premises. The tenant has the right to request one free replacement copy of the written checklist. If the landlord collects a deposit without providing a written checklist at the commencement of the tenancy, the landlord is liable to the tenant for the amount of the deposit, and the prevailing party may recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. This section does not limit the tenant's right to recover moneys paid as damages or security under RCW

Re: Cleaning Needed To Be Done