Landlord vs. tenant (511 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.16 on 8 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <crackergirl84.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2004-01-20 19:31:38 EST
Ok, if anyone can help me out with this I would much appreciate it.
A friend and I got a 1.5 (theres a den) bedroom apartment at the beginning of July. We paid a $300 security deposit. Due to personal differences, we (well, she) decided to move out on January 19. She's from Texas, so I had the place to myself over the holidays and for the first two weeks of January. I got all my stuff out, cleaned the walls of my room, and cleaned the bathroom. I left her a check for the January rent (she had paid it before she went home for the holidays), and told her to take the rest out of my share of the deposit. Her mom came to help her move and believe me, her mom is nuerotic. When she says something is clean, its fuckin' clean. She called and said that even though she cleaned the walls and the carpets, the landlord is taking out $100 for "touch-up paint" and shampooing the carpets.
People have told me that if an apartment is occupied for more than 6 months, the landlord is required by law to clean it themselves, without billing the tenant. I can't find that in the CA civil code. What I did find, though, was that the landlord can't bill us for repairing something "beyond normal wear and tear."
So what's up? is the landlord allowed to bill us for cleaning an already-clean carpet and "touch-up" paint? (there were a couple small tack holes, no other damage at all).
Thanks for your help.
User Reviews
Submitted by Wargazim <gifrank2000.at.yahoo.com> at 2004-02-14 22:19:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey girl, every landlord I rented from that req a security deposit always just gave me a partial amount of the security deposit. About two thirds, of course I stayed at each place for over 6 months, and I damn sure ain't no cleaning expert!
Submitted by Loren1 (user info) at 2004-01-21 15:51:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Don't bother w/the BBB (better business blah blah blah). It will cost more to file a complaint than it's worth. Landlords cannot force you to pay for home improvements, they are entitled to paint their places themselves, at their own cost (at least in NY they are). Look up "renters rights" for your area.
I'm so freaking glad I own.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2004-01-21 11:46:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Solution:BURN THE PLACE TO THE GROUND WHILE CACKLING LIKE AN INSANE HALOWEEN HAG!
Submitted by Bob_Dole (user info) at 2004-01-21 11:35:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'll off the guy for real cheap- i'm good at that sorta thing... i mean, not that i've done that sotra thing before... er, crap- ...
Submitted by DrunkMonk (user info) at 2004-01-21 09:10:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Call them up and ask to be shown the areas that need touching up.
If it's little tack holes, tell them bluntly that it is considered normal wear and tear. Show them that statement in the lease. If they argue, ask to use the phone in the office and call the Better Business Bureau with them right beside you.
Submitted by T.chow (user info) at 2004-01-20 19:45:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
my advice:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/15188
Submitted by crackergirl (user info) at 2004-01-20 19:44:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
they do have a small, plump girl-child...
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2004-01-20 19:38:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
break into the landlord's home and kill their whole family, then see if they still want to charge you.